Romans 8:5, For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

In many ways we feel helpless in our times. The price of gas, weather events, and other people’s attitudes are always beyond our control. There was an old saying that went: “You can't keep birds from flying over your head but you can stop them from nesting in your hair.”

In the new testament, the word "flesh," in the non-physical sense, refers to "that part of our nature which gives sin a bridgehead and a point of attack." (William Barclay Commentary) How you live will influence how you set your mind. This is a major factor to how you live.

Living “outside in” (body, soul/mind, spirit) does not lead to consistent victory. Living “inside out" (spirit, soul/mind, body)” is a key to victorious living.

When I studied website development at college, we did something called “Heuristic Inspection.” Part of that included watching how people used the website you designed. Doing things like noticing what people clicked on first, second, third, or how long they looked at a webpage, helped designers understand the effectiveness of their design.

Sometimes, we need to do a “Heuristic Inspection” of ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit. Pay attention to good and bad tendencies. As the Apostle Paul wrote:

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Our “fruit” will indicate how our mind is set. Be open to correction, change, and growth.