“Casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ;” - 2 Corinthians 10:5
Today’s society is full of
harmful influence, advice and conditions. We have so many negative thoughts
circulating in our mind. We are pulled in so many unconstructive directions. We
are bombarded with disheartening situations that pull us into depression and
hopelessness. Satan, the god of this age, blinds the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot
see the truth of the gospel of Christ, or that He is the image of God (2
Corinthians 4:4). As Christians, we can rise above his deception.
Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us how
to change our focus, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…" When we have
pessimistic influences, words or circumstances in our life, we do not have to
dwell on them. We can follow the advice of scripture and change our focus away
from our trials. Instead, we center our focus on Jesus and all that He means to
us.
We allow God’s Spirit to
change our attitude from anxiety, depression and desperation, to faith in His
unconditional love and provision in our life. Jesus gave us an example when He
changed His focus. "Jesus, who for the joy that was set before Him,
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
In the Law of Moses hanging
a criminal on a tree or cross was reserved for the most serious crimes,
"And if a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is put to death,
and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree,
but you shall surely bury him on the same day, for he who is hanged is
accursed of God, so that you do not defile your land which the Lord your
God gives you as an inheritance" (Deuteronomy 21:22-23).
When Jesus hung on the
cross, He was totally alone. God could not look upon an accursed thing. Rather
than focusing on the cross and the fact that His Father had to turn away from
Him because of the shame of the whole worlds’ sin, Jesus changed His focus to
the joy that awaited Him back in Heaven. Therefore, He was able to endure the
circumstances of this horrendous scourging, crucifixion and death.
Thankfully, God shortened
the time of Jesus’ suffering. The trial of Jesus lasted less than one day, from
some time in the middle of the night until He was placed on the cross around noon
and he died about six hours later. Even Pilate was amazed that Jesus died so
soon (Mark 15:44). God is truly
merciful to His children.
When something is happening
that makes you uncomfortable or unhappy in any way, you have three choices:
1. Give in and be a
victim.
2. Fight it every step
of the way.3. Follow the Serenity Prayer and pray for wisdom and the ability to change the things you can change, and then to accept the things you cannot change by changing your focus about them.
As I stated earlier, Satan allures us into focusing on the negative aspects
of the circumstances in our lives. God, however, encourages us not to conform
any longer to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing
of our mind. This is how we are able to test and approve what is God's good,
pleasing and perfect will (Romans
12:22).
Paul tells us to edit our thoughts in order to transform our mind. We
conform our mind to the world and to Satan’s lies by listening to negative,
accusing, perverted thoughts from secular humanism and Satan’s whispers to our
imagination. Paul encourages us, though, to measure our thoughts against this
simple test and to dismiss any thought that does not meet this standard (Philippians 4:8):
1. Is it true?
2. Is it noble?3. Is it right?
4. Is it pure?
5. Is it lovely?
6. Is it admirable?
7. Is it excellent or praiseworthy?
As we renew our mind and put on the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippains 2:5), we start hearing and being led by the Holy
Spirit. Helping us to know the will of God is the Holy Spirit’s priority. Paul
promises that if we conform our mind to the mind of Christ, then "the God
of peace will be with you" (Philippains
4:9). We cannot do this on our
own, however, because Satan is very deceptive. We need help from the Holy
Spirit.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down to indwell mortal man. He lives in
the spirit of every Believer. The Holy Spirit helps us to discern which
thoughts are lies from Satan, and which thoughts are of God. The next time you
realize that there is a war going on in your mind, pull out Paul's measuring
stick and compare your thoughts with it. Is it true, noble, right, pure,
lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy? Then think about such things;
otherwise, dismiss the thought from your mind. It is not worthy of your time or
attention.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your Spirit of truth guides us into all truth (John 16:13). He is our Counselor whom the Father sent in Your
name. He teaches us all things and reminds us of every verse in God’s Word that
we ever meditated on (John 14:26-27). Help us to throw out all
those thoughts that do not measure up to Your truth. We will know that we have
finished the task when the peace of God again rules in our heart (Philippians 4:7).
Thought for the Day:
Thoughts
are powerful. Are yours inspiring transformation or pessimism? Thank you, Bill Ballew, for the use of your photo.
