The battlefield is an unusual one. For the war I am referring to is in the mind and the enemy is Satan. He constantly attacks the mind with thoughts. Tempting thoughts to sin. Depressing thoughts. Confusing thoughts. Overwhelming thoughts. Suicidal thoughts. Defeated thoughts. Thoughts of rage, bitterness, frustration, anxiety and fear.
You could be cruising through your day carefree and suddenly a twisted tormented thought penetrates your mind that throws everything into upheaval. A thought or thoughts so sinister it knocks you off your feet. Those around you can see it happening. They ask if you are okay. You are not honest. You feel demonic claws ripping through your mind and gouging your faith. Peace oozes out and anxieties seep in. Fitful nights of sleeplessness only exasperate the problem.
Soon those wayward thoughts run rampant. Like wild horses stampeding across the prairie the fears and paranoia race across your mind trampling every God ordained thought. Sinister questions start bubbling up. Where is God? Why doesn't He help? Why is He allowing you to suffer? Doesn't He care? Where is His peace? Where is His relief? The only logical answers you come up with is God doesn't really love you and He is not really concerned as Satan smirks in satisfaction.
Our adversary drops those questions like bombs in an arial assault. They land doing great damage no matter where we try to hide and find shelter. The temptation to self medicate comes. At first just something to calm the nerves. A pill. A drink. A subtle trap laid by the enemy. Before we know what happened the thing we sought to calm the nerves and provide a little escape becomes an addiction. In denial it's easy to justify these actions. Before long everything is spiraling out of control. The battlefield of the mind becomes a war zone from which there appears to be no escape.
There is hope. Satan wants to hide it from you. The hope I offer is found in three passages of scripture. Read them slowly. Let the truth sink in and settle over the mind like giant refuges.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
We are to cast down every argument and high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Like a frightened child during a thunderstorm who becomes frightened in the night and screams in terror. Once a loving parent comes to them and holds them close they are reminded they are loved and sheltered. Infinitely more God does this for His children. We sometimes forget. We cry out in fear. He is constantly keeping watch. He is our ultimate refuge and calms our fears. [Is 46:1] [Is 41:10]
It is our responsibility to bring every thought into captivity to obedience to Christ. What does that mean? It means when fears, anxieties, depression, temptations, rebellion, anger and all the rest penetrate the armor of the helmet of our salvation we stand firmly against them with this truth. We capture every thought and cast those out planted by Satan. We refuse to dwell on them. This may take place hundreds of times a day. Satan will not relent and neither can we let our guard down.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
How do you renew your mind? Put the word of God into it constantly. Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!
It is that simple. We read the word of God. We meditate on the word of God. We must memorize the word of God. That's how we renew our mind. That is how Jesus combatted the temptations of Satan. Jesus fought Satan by saying, "It is written," and then quoting a scripture. If Jesus did that how much more do we need to do that too.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, don't worry about anything. Pray about everything. It's that simple to win the battle in the mind.
As a reminder, here are these steps summarized to win the battles in the mind.
- Take every thought captive.
- Renew your mind with the word of God.
- Do not worry about anything.
- Pray about everything.
May God grant peace in your tormented mind. May He give you truth to anchor your soul. May His peace stand like a sentry over your heart and mind. May rest come as you fully rely on Him.
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