PROTECTING THE MIND
I am sure no one will argue with the fact that THE MIND IS THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE SOUL, AND EVERY BATTLE IS WON OR LOST AS A RESULT OF OUR RESPONDING OR REACTING TO WHAT WE THINK.
I have often quoted the well known saying “You can’t stop the birds flying around your head, but you can sure stop them nesting in your hair”.
So today’s blog is all about the mind, and we need to realise that we can never relax for a moment because we have a 24/7 enemy, that knows how to cause people to sin.
We actually have two enemies, our own sinful heart (Jer,17:9) as well as the evil one. Many bad mind habits can develop long before we become a Christian, and we know from experience that those habits don’t just simply disappear when we are born again. I want us to look at 2 Cor. 10:4-5 NKJV For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down STRONGHOLDS, 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.
N.L.T. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
PASSION Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.
MESSAGE The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
My readers know I am committed to what I call Biblical Discipleship, that MUST include a one on one (face to face component) . Teaching in a class situation is ok, but there needs to be the assistance to the new Believer to PRACTICALLY APPLY the Word of God, and for the Disciple-maker to walk with the new Believer (as long as it takes) until to protecting our mind HAS BECOME A LIFESTYLE.
Paul uses this term STRONGHOLDS, in reference to the mind, in some cases (if it was controlling the new Believer before he came to Christ that will require some possibly strong ministry to break its power over a person. This need would not always be easily detected in a class alone situation.
So many Believers come to Christ, and because of the lack of Biblical Discipleship really struggle to grow spiritually if there has developed a stronghold in their mind, as a stronghold is like a ball & chain around one’s ankle hindering and slowing down the ability of the new Believer to walk with God.
So, a wise disciple-maker will seek to discern if a new Believer has a stronghold/s in his mind.
But then, EVERY NEW BELIEVER (through Biblical Discipleship) must learn quickly how to protect his mind. This begins, by learning to CONTINUALLY SURRENDER to the Lord Rom. 12:1 AMP.N.T. I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties. as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
We need our 5 senses (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting smelling) and our 3 drives, (hunger, sexual, survival) under the Lordship of Jesus. Plus, our MIND EMOTIONS AND WILL also continually surrendered to the Lord. We must learn to let JESUS TRULY REIGN IN US.
Again, we know the saying so well, THE PROBLEM WITH A LIVING SACRIFICE IS THAT IT ALWAYS WANTS TO CRAWL OFF THE ALTAR. It is no accident that the Apostle Paul when he wrote Rom. 12:1 declared that the “presenting of our bodies” was in the present continuous tense. If only we could make it a one off decision, but our 24/7 enemy, is continually “roaring like a lion”, and never takes any time off from tempting God’s people. We know and love James 4:7 NKJV Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. We thank God for. the truth of this verse, but I am sure we know from experience OUR SUBMISSION TO GOD, AND OUR RESISTING THE EVIL ONE MUST BE CONSTANT. WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO RELAX.
Paul’s teaching in 2 Cor. 14:4-5 tells us to cast down every sinful thought that comes into our mind, I see this especially reflected in James’ word TO RESIST.
How do we do it??????
We claim the protection of the Blood of Jesus over our minds, I believe Christ’s blood is to protect us as well as cleansing us.
We take our “power of attorney” delegated to us and resist the devil IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
We must take the Sword of the Spirit and (the Rhema Word of God) and confess it against the enemy. e.g. Phil. 4:13, Rom.8:37, 1 John 4:4.
Praying in tongues is a weapon of warfare.
Praising God is a weapon of warfare.
Seek to live in the light of Christ’s soon return 1 John 3:2-3
Make a Covenant with our eyes Job 31:1
These 7 keys cast down the sinful thoughts, and the 8th key is you fill the space in your mind with Phil. 4:8 NKJV Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—MEDITATE on these things.
Paul when he writes about the Whole Armour of God tells us we must PUT ON THE HELMET OF SALVATION to protect our mind Eph. 6:17 NKJV And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; I find it so interesting Paul mentions the Word of God in the same sentence!!!!!!
I would suggest the 8 keys above are very much what Paul is suggesting what it means to put on the Helmet of Salvation, if my reader can share some more keys with me, please feel free to share them.
I am sure there is nothing new in this blog, but it it is a truth that needs REPEATING OVER AND OVER AGAIN, after 69 years a Believer, I still have my struggles at times, and would always appreciate your prayers on my behalf.
Please respond and let me know if this blog was a blessing and a challengre to you.
