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Good Morning Sweet Friends!
As I am sitting here enjoying my warm cup of coffee and reading my Word this morning, I prayed, “God give me a good Word this morning to satisfy my soul but to also encourage others with.” In that moment the Holy Spirit directed me to a very familiar chapter and verse: 2 Corinthians 10:5- “ 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.” This entire chapter is educating us on the “Spiritual War” that takes place in our minds.
In my recent book, If You Love Me Obey Me: The Secret to Purpose and Freedom I state, “God is a God of order. He has shown me through scripture when we obey Him, we obey Him in six areas. These areas are : our heart, our will, our mind, our body, our finances, and our future.” Today I want to talk to you about your mind. Your mind is where battle takes place. Now you have probably heard the word stronghold before, or maybe we should say “strong man” as in Satan because the mind is where Satan loves to attack us. Matter of fact, it is his favorite playground because he can watch us even attack ourselves when we begin to believe the lies and thoughts he has put in our minds. We don’t do it intentionally it just happens if we are not on guard and daily renewing our minds with the Word of God and prayer. It is the only way we can fight and overcome his attacks on our minds. It is why God instructs us to in Romans chapter 12 verse 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.” (NKJV) Did you catch that? that you may prove… Jesus himself when being tempted by Satan said, “It is written, It is written, It is written.” He used the Word of God to overcome.
Paul was urging the Corinthians to cast down the thoughts of Satan “strongholds” that had been established in their minds. He knew they were in great danger if they did not instead make every thought obedient to Christ. Now watch this, when our obedience to Christ is being fulfilled then we are able to punish all disobedience that may come against us! ” and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:6
In my book, If You Love Me Obey Me, there is a great chapter on the mind. Here in this chapter I share my own struggles as I walked through obedience, but also how I was able to overcome. I still go back and read it just to remind myself, but here is what you need to know- when God calls you to do anything that would glorify Him, Satan is not just going to stand by. He will call confusion, obstruction, and fear. In your mind you will try and reason but when you do it will lead to confusion and doubt because many times what the Lord calls us to do does not make logical sense. Don’t reason in the mind just obey the Spirit!
I wonder what you may be going through right now- what circumstances you are facing- what war is raging in your mind. Do you want to overcome and walk in peace? you can! With the power of the Holy Spirit we overcome any and all things that the enemy plots against us. Of course you can only have the gift of the Holy Spirit by receiving Jesus Christ as Savior. So, if you are reading this and you have never had the opportunity to receive Christ, let today be the day! Read Romans 10:9 and begin a journey of purpose, freedom, and eternal life!
I will leave you today with the words I close the chapter with on the mind. “Circumstances can make you better or make you bitter. We may think if our circumstances were different we would be different but not true. Satan loves to use circumstances to attack the mind. If only I had…If only I could… the truth is, if we are not happy with our current circumstances chances are we will not be happy with a new set of circumstances…God has perfect plans for us. As we walk out those plans, He wants us to have renewed minds. Minds that seek to honor and obey Him. Our minds are renewed by reading His word, praying, and seeking to know Him more. God had a perfect plan for me. As I continued to be obedient and do His will, I had no idea about the blessings God had prepared for me. There were many questions, and many mysteries. I didn’t know how God would prove himself, but I simply believed He would and you know what? He did.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
In obedience,
Jeannie