The mind is the battlefield where God and Satan square off. It is the war-torn territory where good and evil face each other. It is here that conscience unsheathes its sword to clash against expedience, that conviction bares its arm against temptation, and that character raises its flag against corruption. Every important battle is first fought in the mind. And it is a battle we dare not lose if we wish to be godly.
1. The Battle for the Mind (Ephesians 6:10 – 13)
In the battle for the mind, we must be prepared. Paul described the battlefield and offered a battle cry and a basic strategy.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (New International Version)
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
The mind is a battle ground and the mind is the place where decisions are made for or against the truth. Verse 10 says "Be strong in the Lord and in his might". You say why in the Lord. Well, simply because we do not have it in ourselves to do it on our own.
The battlefield is engaged EVERY conscience moment of our lives. There is one battle cry repeated in these verses. Put on the FULL armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm.
You and I, when we gave ourselves to the Lord, were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. It came not only to reside or for a ticket for eternity BUT to control us.
2. The Strategy of Our Enemy In the battle for the mind, we must know the strategy of our enemy, the Devil.
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (New International Version)
10 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Verse 11 tells us to forgive in order that Satan cannot take advantage of us. It is important or Paul wouldn't have said it. It is the idea of an open door or entrance. Your mind is Satan's territory. Embrace that before you reject it, probably never thought of it before now. We were under iniquity from birth right up to conversion our minds were under the domination of Satan. He doesn't wish for control, or harass our minds. He wants to KEEP control. So when the Holy Spirit comes he begins the work to transform our minds and capture the territory that has always belonged to the enemy. How else can we explain the degrading thoughts that we can have as children of God.
3. Storming the Fortress of the Mind
In the battle for the mind, we must breach the walls of speculations, tear down the lofty towers of knowledge, and capture every thought for Christ.
1 comment:
apparently, learning how to take every thought captive is a lifelong battle.
definitely working on that one.
what happens when we start believing the truth as passionately as we used to believe the lies?
I told my Bible Study girls that our lives would change from the inside out.
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