GPS: How Your Direction Determines Your Destiny

Last week we took our kids home and on the way home we had one group a rental car, and another group in the bus. At some point in the trip, Justin Hall was driving the bus and checked his gps, and it changed his route. We were following the same route, but when his route changed, it changed that. I went forward through Illinois, south through Missouri

+and home. His route took him through the heart of Louisville, KY, and a 1 hour delay due to a traffic jam because of construction. One simple moment, one change in direction determined his ETA. Instead of arriving at 6, they arrived an hour later.

Their Direction determined their Destiny.

The same is true for us. In Romans 8, Paul notes this big truth:

Your Direction Determines Your Destiny.

Say this With Me

My Direction will Determine My Destiny

Paul says this very clearly in the text. Let’s read it together:

Romans 8:5–7 ESV

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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 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.

So how do we have a direction, a posture that leads to a destiny that is with God and not one that opposes God? How do we have a Spirit filled direction instead of a fleshly direction?

Your FOCUS will determine your Direction

First, we see that a see that Paul notes that those who live according to the Spirit, those whose direction is guided by the Spirit of God have a Holy Focus on the Spirit.

Golf Legend Arnold Palmer recalls a lesson about focus:

“It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said, "Congratulations." I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus.

On my next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trop, then put it over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters. You don't forget a mistake like that; you just learn from it and become determined that you will never do that again. I haven't in the 30 years since.

What we focus on determines the direction of our life. On the one hand, you have the flesh, or self focused life.

From an unknown source comes an article titled, "How To Be Miserable." It says, "Think about yourself. Talk about yourself. Use "I" as often as possible. Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others. Listen greedily to what people say about you. Expect to be appreciated. Be suspicious. Be jealous and envious. Be sensitive to slights. Never forgive a criticism. Trust nobody but yourself. Insist on consideration and respect. Demand agreement with your own views on everything. Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown them. Never forget a service you have rendered. Shirk your duties if you can. Do as little as possible for others."

Unfortunately, this attitude of self is lauded by our culture. In fact, we find the current generation, Gen Z becoming more and more insulated and self-centered then even the previous Millenial generation. According to Axis Group:

Gen Zers aren’t very concerned with traditional life milestones such as getting married or buying a house. They don’t value company loyalty very highly, but both want their employers to invest in them. Gen Z is more independent and competitive and while they do want purpose in their jobs, they are unlikely to give up financial security to attain it. According to Barna, “6 out of the top 10 reasons teens look up to their role model are related to career or financial success.”

But scripture notes that walking in the Spirit is about focusing not on ourselves but on the Spirit.

Philippians 4:8–9 (ESV)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

If you are going to walk in the way of the Spirit then our lives must be focused on the Spirit.

Romans 8:5 ESV

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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

So what are the things of the Spirit: On what are we to set our minds?

Philippians 2:2–8 ESV

complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

True spirit filled living is about LOVING God and loving people. It’s about sacrificial living.

You Must FOLLOW the Directions Given

Second we see this truth: True life is the result of submitting to God.

Romans 8:7 ESV

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.

Paul notes the impossibility of submission by those in the flesh. If you want to make someone mad, call them to submit. We live in a time where submission to another is almost unheard of and is seen as being not a virtue, but an attack.

In his book, God and the Transgender Debate: What Does the Bible Actually Say About Gender Identity?, Andrew T. Walker noted:

Individualism says everyone gets to write their own script. In many ways, this follows downstream from relativism. What an individual wills or wants is the highest good, and is wrong to tell someone that his or her choices or beliefs are wrong or immoral. An emphasis on the individual bearing individual rights has given rise to an understanding of the individual that is “liberated” from all forms of other duties. The greatest sin– in fact, the only sin– is judging someone else.

This type of radical individualism is antithetical to the Christian worldview. As Christians, we are called to be submissive to God. God is the author and finisher of our faith. God is the arbiter of what is “good and righteous and holy” and we are called to live in submission to His will.

Matt. 16:23 "But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'”

A Spirit-Filled Life is a life of submission to the will of God and his direction. I think one of the greatest horrors of this day is our unending struggle with God and his will in our lives.

Your OBEDIENCE determines your Destiny

Romans 8:6 ESV

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Our obedience to God’s command is the determining factor in our final destination. Just as my ability to follow my GPS directions determines if I can arrive at my destination at all, our ability and willingness to submit to God determines our eternal destination.

Your mindset has eternal consequences

The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message" "Alter your course 10 degrees south." Promptly a return message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north."

The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south--I am the captain!" Soon another message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north--I am seaman third class Jones." Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: "Alter your course 10 degrees south--I am a battleship." Then the reply came "Alter your course 10 degrees north--I am a lighthouse."

In the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives. Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest--something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World, and we ignore it at our our peril.