Thursday, March 8, 2018

The War of the Mind

Did you know we are in a war? 

Paul writes to the Ephesians: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 

One commentary explained it like this: “You are in a spiritual battle. If you are ignorant or ignore that fact, you probably aren’t winning the battle.” D. Guzik 

Many of the battles begin in the mind. If Satan can just get you to dwell on lies rather than the truth he can quickly cause you to stumble. He knows full well that today’s thoughts result in tomorrow’s actions. 

We are not the victim of our thoughts. We have a choice. When a thought comes our way we can chose to let it in or push it away. 

To defend ourselves against the lies of Satan we need to renew our minds with the truth of God’s Word. 

When anxious thoughts want to creep in through the door of our mind we push them out with the truth that ..God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 

When a proud thought comes knocking we need to remind ourselves that ..the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; Psalm 100:3a   

When we start to listen to the lies that we have no worth or value and are unloveable we need to combat that with the truth that God loves us so much He sent His own Son to die for us. 

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 

God tells us not to think like the world thinks or be swayed by the opinions of others but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. 

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2  

And it’s not just about not letting the trash in, it’s also about filling our minds with whatsoever things are true, and lovely and praiseworthy. 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil 4:8 

And when the war of the mind seems overwhelming we have the promise that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil 4:13 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: John 14:6a

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