The battle within our minds is one of the most important factors that must be kept in check with God’s Word. While Satan cannot read our minds, he can influence our thoughts. Thus, begins the race to lose or win against the battle of the mind!

In Proverbs 4:23-27 we read about “Keep your heart”. This also means to be vigilant regarding guarding our minds. Ungodly ideas, compromising on God’s Word, and worldly influences can cause spiritual downfall.

Today’s meditation comes from 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5, KJV

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and

bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Paul, the writer of this passage was very familiar with the Roman soldiers and he drew a lot of insights to explain to us about the spiritual warfare by using military metaphors. It is so important that we understand the need to carefully study about the invisible warfare in the spiritual realm and keep our minds steady as a Christian soldier.

When Apostle Paul visited Corinth (the city to which this letter is addressed), he saw people were involved in perversion, family feuds etc.  The strongholds of sin and Satan are unbelief, pride, hardness of our hearts, rebellion against God, sensuality etc.

SPIRITUAL MIND VS CARNAL MIND

Our mind is one of the strongest powerhouses and Satan wants to be captain of our minds. Our mind sends signals to our body when we are hungry or when we are in pain. It also stores information of thoughts , impressions, dreams received and given to other human beings.

In Luke 10:27 we are asked to love the LORD OUR GOD with all our MIND along with our heart and soul.

“True Christians want God to dominate their thinking and to fill their minds with ideas of Himself. ” R.C. Sproul

Our minds are prone to wander away from our focal point (GOD) into other mindless things. A mindless Christian is not a Christian at all.

Our minds are prone to wander away from our focal point (GOD) into other mindless things. A mindless Christian is not a Christian at all.

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A carnal mind is not one pleasing the Lord 2 Corinthians 10:4.

To be carnal means to be fleshly minded. The mind of the flesh is enmity against God. Enmity against God means to be against His essence, existence, and against the Person of His Godhead.

Here are 3 C’s for every believer to remember while engaging with the battle of your mind.

1.BRING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE

Oh, how can I bring my body into subjection from pride, lust, and other things?

The Devil can bring corrupt thoughts into our lives through opinions, hunger of lust and power, and convictions that exalt against the knowledge of GOD. These Satan thoughts can first affect our minds and then alter our behaviors.

We must not rely on human ingenuity to bring victory. Our weapons are not carnal but mighty in God.

The City of Corinth like most ancient cities had a fortress in which residents took refuge. These fortresses are like strongholds which must be demolished only by spiritual weapons.

We must make every thought that is not from and about Lord Jesus a prisoner bound in chains and sentence it to life in prison.

Right now, the Spirit is leading me into writing these very words

–Have you been dealing with suicidal thoughts or vengeful schemes?

–Are you struggling with sensual feelings or thoughts of abandonment?

The Devil is relentless in trying to capture your mind as his prisoner. Instead you, my friend can capture that battle in your mind and make it a prisoner.

Negative, fearful, unwanted thoughts do not come from the Lord. Satan is the father of lies and he is good at manipulating wrongful thoughts in our minds.

Here is one of my most read post on how to apply Philippians 4 :8 when faced with NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

2.CAST DOWN STRONGHOLDS AND EVERY HIGH THING

Faith is denying self -control and placing our trust in Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is our spiritual weapon that can bring our body into subjection and cast down every high thought.

Strongholds are fortresses and difficult challenges that must be recognized and destroyed.

Want to learn more on how to break strongholds?

Read More- HOW TO IDENTIFY STRONGHOLDS AND BREAK FREE FROM GENERATIONAL PATTERNS

–Are you a constant worrier? Do you have low self -esteem and explosive rage?

–Have you built for yourself an invisible shell to shut yourself from everyone else?

–Do you hear the voices of the Devil louder than the life- giving words of Jesus?

The Bible encourages us to confess our sins to each other and pray for one another in James 5:16. If you live in these dark strongholds without sharing your struggles with someone else, they can crush you.

—Do you have an accountability partner, a therapist, or a counselor with whom you can share your mind battles? Please do not hesitate to ask for help. You are a warrior of God and YOUR MIND IS PRECIOUS TO YOUR LORD.

3.CARRY THE DOUBLE- EDGED SWORD

As a born-again child of God, we are engaged in a spiritual battle, whether we like it or not. Our weapons are not fleshly but spiritual. Ephesians chapter 6 mentions six pieces of armor a believer must carry.  

One Offensive weapon: Sword of the Spirit also known as the Word of God; Five Defensive weapons: breastplate, shield and helmet, belt.

Hebrews 4:12, KJV For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Here is how to carry God’s Word to injure your mutual enemy when we are caught up in the battle of your mind

a.) By memorizing Scriptures

Thy word have I hid in my heart so that I may not sin against YOU. Psalm 119 :11

Satan knows the verses as well; in fact, he quoted Scriptures while attempting to tempt Jesus. He is good at tampering and diluting with God’s promises. So, it is important to set our mind on Jesus and be on guard.

Colossians 3:2-5,ESV Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Romans 8:5-7 but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God.

b) By meditating upon verses daily

Meditate means to rehearse in one’s mind, to converse it out loud. Focus on a chapter or a verse and write it down in your journal. Find the deeper meaning behind verses with relation to the sinful thought and ideologies that are going against the knowledge of God.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you . James 4:8

Psalm 119:97 Oh, how I love Your Law! All day long it is my meditation.

c) By proclaiming Verses against the battle in your mind

When you find yourself getting caught up in the lies that the Devil has whispered into your minds, speak life. God is life and HE breathed life into our bodies.

Resist the Devil and he shall flee. James 5:7

Speak to your mountains to be moved. Mark 11:23

Destroy every argument, speculation, and be alert.  2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Peter 1:13

Read : HOW TO SPEAK LIFE TO YOUR ” I cannot” THROUGH THESE 10 ” I CAN”

Complete trust in the might and power of Christ can help us win against the battle of the mind.  Look to yourself and you can fail; Look unto Jesus for therein comes forth our victory.

REFLECTION ?

– What are some of the ways we can bring our thoughts into captivity?

-Why do you think Satan knows Scriptures as well?

I pray you were blessed by this post today. Do you personally know someone who would also be encouraged by this message , then please do share. I love to hear back from you , so even if it is just a one line do write in the comment section:) Thank you!

p.s. I have been under severe spiritual attack ever since I wrote this post few months back, it was the hardest to even publish it here.  The battle of the mind is real but so is Jesus our Commander -in -Chief!

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN HERE

DIANA