02.07.2025 | Two Voices – One Heart | HEART ANCHOR
Who do you give control over your thoughts?
Romans 8:6–7
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Bible Text
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed it cannot.”
Romans 8:6–7
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Introduction
Do you know that feeling of being torn apart inside? On the one hand you want to do what’s right, yet on the other hand thoughts, feelings, or habits pull you in the opposite direction. Romans 8:6–7 describes exactly that inner struggle—and points us to a path of true peace.
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Devotional
Paul speaks here of two paths, two mindsets, two ways of life. “Setting the mind on the flesh” describes a life led by human desires, selfishness, and one’s own idea of right and wrong. It sounds harsh: “death,” “hostile to God.” But Paul doesn’t want to condemn us—he wants to awaken us!
The second path is “setting the mind on the Spirit.” This means being filled with God’s Spirit—love, peace, patience, and truth. It’s not merely a religious feeling or a nice idea. It’s a lifestyle born from a genuine relationship with Jesus.
Ellen White writes:
“Thoughts must be disciplined, brought into order, and controlled by God. This is a work that requires prayer, perseverance, and daily self-denial.”
(Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 128)
This battle starts in our heads. Our thought life shapes our decisions—and thus our lives. So the question isn’t, “Am I good enough for God?” but, “To whom do I give the daily control of my thoughts?”
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Story – The Battle in Jason’s Mind
Jason was seventeen, athletic, smart—and yet he felt empty. From the outside everything seemed fine: good grades, lots of friends, popular on social media. But the moment he was alone in his room, these thoughts crept in: “You’re not good enough.” “What if you fail?” “Nobody really understands you.”
He had started focusing ever more on himself. His life revolved around looking good. Likes. Comments. Approval. He trained until he collapsed. Studied until he could hardly sleep. Everything had to be perfect—because he thought that would finally bring him peace.
One night he lay awake at 2:43 AM. His phone’s screen glowed, but he had no energy left to scroll through TikTok. Something in him was tired—not his body, but his inner being.
“Why am I so broken even though I’m doing everything right?” he whispered into the dark room.
The next day his classmate Anna asked if he wanted to join youth group. Jason hesitated. Church felt like a relic of childhood. But there was something about her genuine smile that made him curious.
“Okay. I’ll come.”
That evening the youth leader spoke about Romans 8—not rules, not guilt, but the inner battle between “the flesh”—the life we want to control ourselves—and “the Spirit”—the life we let God lead. Jason sat frozen. That was his life: the constant effort to be strong enough on his own—and the quiet, clear realization: I can’t do this alone.
After the talk he asked Anna,
“Can you… really feel that peace? That inner peace?”
She nodded: “Yes. Not always instantly. But if you really give Jesus room, your thinking will change—little by little.”
That night Jason went home, knelt down—for the first time in years—and prayed. Not a big, beautiful prayer. Just,
“Jesus, if you’re real—take over. I’m done trying to handle everything myself.”
From then on everything wasn’t perfect. But something was different. Jason began reading the Bible—not out of obligation, but because he wanted to hear what God thinks of him. He began watching his thoughts—and noticing when he got in his own way again.
Once he read a quote from Ellen White that helped him especially:
“As we fix our thoughts on Christ, the heart is cleansed, the will strengthened, and life begins to resemble His.”
(Steps to Christ, ch. 8)
Since then that’s been his goal: not to be perfect, but to be authentic in Jesus. Today, a year later, Jason himself accompanies young people who feel lost inside. And every time he reads Romans 8, he knows: The battle is real—but peace is stronger.
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Reflection – What does it mean for you?
Perhaps you’ve noticed lately that your thoughts are often negative, critical, or anxious. You feel driven, stressed, or empty. Romans 8 invites you to ask anew: What drives me? Jesus wants to give you new thoughts through His Spirit—thoughts of hope, courage, and love.
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Action Steps for Today
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Thought Check: What’s going through your mind today? Which “wolf” are you feeding?
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Read the Bible: Read one chapter of Romans each day and ask God to speak to you.
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Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind—intentionally each morning.
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Talk: Share your inner struggles with a friend. You are not alone.
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Prayer
Father in heaven,
You see how often I struggle inside. Sometimes I let my feelings, impatience, or selfishness lead me. Please forgive me.
Give me Your Spirit to transform my thinking.
Help me make the right choices—those that lead to life and peace.
Fill my heart with Your love and give me strength to put You first every day.
Amen.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/02-07-25-two-voices-one-heart-heart-anchor-youth-devotional/
