“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the
spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13
Have you ever felt like you were going crazy? Nothing makes sense in your
life. You have a war going on in your mind...like there is a whole crowd of
people up there arguing! I have a simple explanation, and an even simpler
solution for you.
Paul said it….“WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO
CHRIST."
Our soul contains our mind, will and emotions. In the Bible the soul is
often referred to as the “heart.” This does not refer to our blood pumping
organ, but our inner self ~ the soul. Paul learned that even though we are in a
spiritual war, we don't have to use carnal weapons. God gave us divinely
powered weapons to demolish all of Satan’s strongholds. We do this by taking
every thought captive and having the mind of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5).
The imagination is where Satan likes to play. He perverts the truth and
comes up with all sorts of lies to tell us, which unbelievably we accept as
truth! Satan puts a thought there, and then we say, "Yeah! That's right!" We dwell on it and
believe his lies. Soon, we believe them as truth, and he sits back and laughs
at us. He's got us right where he wants us.
The first negative thought in your mind is from Satan. It is his tempation
to see if he can get your attention. Then, he tries to keep your attention by
expounding on that first negative thought. If you agree with that thought, or
if you entertain that thought and add other thoughts to it, then he’s got you
right where he wants you.
But if you recognize that the first negative thought ~ the blasphemous,
sexual, carnal, unholy, angry, bitter, resentful or belittling thought ~ is
from Satan, then you can quote or read scripture to him, just like Jesus did on
the mount after His 40 days of prayer and fasting.
On
the other hand, the Holy Spirit lives in our Born Again spirit and He helps us
to battle what the Bible calls...the old nature, the carnal nature, the flesh
and the devil. It is a lifetime process.
Our daily commission in found in Colossians 3:1: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those
things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” As
we seek God and His kingdom, we will not walk in the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
As you know, “What we believe, determines how we act.” When we believe Satan's lies, we exhibit negative attitudes. We get "stinkin' thinkin'." Satan knows that if he captivates your mind, then he can control your actions also.
Our safeguard, therefore, is to follow the advice we already read in 2
Corinthians 10:3-5: to bring our thoughts into obedience to Jesus and to put on
the mind of Christ.
The Word of God tells us not to conform to the world, but to think about:
1. Whatever is true2. Whatever is noble
3. Whatever is right
4. Whatever is pure
5. Whatever is lovely
6. Whatever is admirable
7. If anything is excellent or praiseworthy
8. Whatever you have learned or received...or heard from...or seen in Paul ( and other Godly men and women ) put it into practice (Philippians 4:8).
Throw out all those thoughts that do not measure up to this list! You will
know you have finished the task when the peace of God again rules in your
heart. Look at Philippians 4:7..."And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus." Being led by the Holy Spirit helps us to know the will of
God and to have the peace of God. No more lunacy warring in your mind! Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the carnal mind is enmity against God, because it is
not subject to the law of God (Romans 8:7). If we are still carnal,
then envy, strife, and divisions are common among us. Help us not to follow
after the carnal thoughts, which fight against Your Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:3). Help us to walk by Your Spirit and to be led by
Your Spirit moment by moment throughout the day.
Thought
for the Day:
“Either you must learn to take your thoughts
captive – or Satan will take you captive with your thoughts!” - Kay Arthur