Do we want to emerge victorious in our spiritual combat? Good! [Reflection: the most valuable weapon to a soldier, in my opinion, is eyesight...the gun comes in second!] With the help of the eyes, a soldier is able to, first of all, see the enemy target before opening fire. Just as eyes are quite vital & indispensable to a soldier, so is the MIND to a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ! The moment we lose the battle of the mind, it follows that we then lose the battle of righteousness!
The devil keeps SHOOTING arrows of thoughts & imaginations into our minds. This is why there are so many things that we we find ourselves thinking about that we do NOT really like at all...but we are hardly condemned by God for those kind of thoughts since the Creator is well aware that our minds are naturally weak. However, we would protest if our thoughts were to be projected onto a screen, LOL! No one will ever blame us if a bird happens to fly over our heads...but if we allow the bird to perch on our heads, make a nest, lay eggs & even defecate on our heads, then we may require urgent psychiatric examination [just kidding, ha haa!]. If we accommodate the negative [wicked] thoughts, they will get a chance & begin to sink into the heart & we may find ourselves agreeing with them, and unconsciously commence working with the devil! Amos 3: 3 records: "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?".
Interestingly, our thought patterns end-up shaping every aspect of our lives! Proverbs 23: 7 reads: "For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he". Hey, do NOT stop thinking about that special person in your life, LOL! The kind of thoughts we are referring to here are those that we have no control over & have the potential to lead us into a sinful lifestyle...and the Holy Spirit will always alert us...He is our anti-virus scan if we allow Him to work in our lives at all times. Some of these imaginations could be; suicidal thoughts, those of hatred, fornication, adultery, low self-esteem or any other thoughts we view as demonic [with the potential to lead us astray from the paths of righteousness]. Our minds can either be the battle-field of the Holy Spirit or of the devil...it is the main-gate into our hearts, souls & spirits!
Remedy
Thankfully, God has given us heavy artillery & weaponry to win the battle of the mind! In 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5, it is written: "For the WEAPONS of our warfare are NOT carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments & every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing down every THOUGHT into captivity into the obedience of Christ". May we be continually transformed by the RENEWAL of our minds so that we may prove what is that good & acceptable & perfect will of God. When our minds are aligned to God, it becomes a lot easier to listen to God's small & still voice in every situation of our lives...we become recipients of divine favor & direction. So help me God...so help us God!!!
Closing Scripture
Philippians 4: 8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, MEDITATE on these things".
Dear Lord, have Your way in us! Amen!!!
This is so true; the battle is in our minds.
ReplyDeleteWhen our minds are aligned to God, it becomes a lot easier to listen to God's small & still voice in every situation of our lives...we become recipients of divine favor & direction.
Reread this posting... The article is so well written and the information content is well thought out with depth for growth and gaining victory when applied to our daily life.. Well done!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you very much, dear Stacy! Yes, the real battle is actually in our minds. I pray that God grants me more & more wisdom. God Bless You!!!
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