3-21-99 Top Ten Ways to know you've been Revived Rom 8

By Ronald E. George Jr.

Scripture Text: Romans 8:6-11

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. {to be carnally...: Gr. the minding of the flesh} {to be spiritually...: Gr. the minding of the Spirit} 7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. {the carnal...: Gr. the minding of the flesh} 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. {by: or, because of}

10. You are thinking right again Rom. 8:6. For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Brain waves and thought patterns begin to stop when someone is near death. Once the person has started to be revived the brain begins to function properly again. A revived spiritual person sets their mind on the things that are spiritual, the things of God. How can you know if you are becoming spiritually minded? In verse 6 Paul says to be spiritually minded is life and peace. The spiritually minded person thinks on God and enjoys the peace of God as a result. Are you enjoying the peace that passes all understanding?

9. You aren't Stiff anymore. You are Flexible and changeable. 7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Once spiritual death begins to occur we become stiff and unbendable. When we experience revival the Spirit of the living God softens us up so that we are willing to allow God to change us. Including our attitudes, our actions, our desires, and our words all are now open to be changed by the hand of God who is now free to work within our lives. Can you be changed by the desires of the Lord for you? Are you subject to Him?

8. You are warm to the touch 10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. Spiritual beings that are near death begin to assume the temperature of the things of the world. The coldness and apathy of the world is overcome by the warmth of the love of God who works through the life of the revived. When people touch us, as they do from day to day, they notice that there is a difference in our feelings and actions towards them. The perfect example of God's love expressed in humanity is the forgiveness of the Savior who asked his Father to forgive those who were crucifying him. Do others feel the warmth of Jesus in your life?

7. You are seeing the light (your eyes aren't fixed and dilated) 7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Revived believers begin to see God and his desires for them in a new light. They don't see God as someone who wants to take their life from them but someone who wants to give them the best possible way to live. They see God as a loving heavenly Father who knows what is best and seeks to provide for all his children the fullness of life through all eternity. They see others as people who share the same struggles of life. Jesus saw people with compassion and desired to help them find their way through a world of darkness. How do you see God's laws? How do you see others in the community in which you live?

6. You are talking to God and to others. 10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. The revived person begins to communicate to those around them beginning with God. An active prayer life is a sure sign that someone has been revived. Revived people love to pray. They want to pray for one another and intercede on behalf of others. The revived call out the name of others in prayer. Also, they aren't afraid to share their testimony with others. They have a wonderful story to tell, and they begin to tell it to others. Are you praying and telling?

5. You are walking/moving forward . 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. There is noticeable movement among the revived. Revived people take steps of faith. Each person has to take the step that is right for him or her and meant for them. Some need to preach. Some need to be baptized. Some need to tell the story of Jesus and his love for them. Are you ready to take the next step of faith? Will you move out with Jesus?

4. You are hungry/thirsty for God. 11 his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Because the Spirit of God has been revived in us, we want God. We want to pray, to study the scriptures, to attend church, to fellowship with other Christians, and to worship the living God. You will go wherever you can and take all possible opportunities to experience God. The revived are longing for God. Do you desire to take in God?

3. You are pleasing to God who revives. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Now that the Spirit of God has been revived, you want to do those things that will please him. You want to make him happy and you do make Him happy. Before we were only willing to make ourselves happy, but now you want to do all that the Father desires for you. This is pleasing to God. Who are you pleasing?

2. You are breathing again 11 he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The Spirit of God is the breath that gives life to the believer. Before we were choking but now we are breathing freely as the Spirit of the Lord is allowed to work in our lives. The power to revive our dying spiritual lives is available through Him who has placed his breath in us. If we want to be revived ask him to fill our lives once again. Will you breathe again?

1. You have a heart that beats for God 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. There is a noticeable change of heart in the revived. We are once again alive for God and through God. Our hearts beat for God, our lives are lived for God, our hands are working for God, our feet and going for God, our eyes are seeing through God, and our mouth is speaking for God. God is now once again our God, and not we ourselves. We have been revived. Have you? Will you? There is time?