Winning the battle for my mind...

I have been going through a mind battle thing lately.  And, I want to share what the Lord has used to comfort and discipline me.  I hope that it might encourage someone else as well.

PHILIPIANS 4:8  "Finally, believers… think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]." 

Paul speaks to believers about how to direct their thoughts.  It is not uncommon for a believer’s mind to be attacked.  But, we absolutely have a choice as to what our mind will dwell on.  If your mind is being attacked, it does not mean you are a weak or sinful person.  But, we have been given weapons to tear down every thought that is against what God has said.  2 Corinthians 10:4 says that our weapons of warfare are not carnal (weapons that fight flesh and blood or anything in the physical world), but mighty through God (divinely powerful) for the destruction of fortresses. (A fortress is where all the plans of attack are made.  It is where the enemy feels safest. It is the last ditch place of defense.)  If you destroy an enemy’s fortress, he is vulnerable to YOUR attacks!!!  You want to get the enemy on the run FROM you?  Here are a few hints on how to do it…
1.  Put on the Full Armor of God… beginning with the HELMET OF SALVATION.

The helmet covers the warrior’s head.  This is where the mind is.  The mind is where the battle is won and lost.  Jesus sacrifice on the cross bought this helmet for us!  It has worth beyond measure.  We cannot just take our salvation for granted… We must act on it!  Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”

Ephesians 6:10-18  And, after putting on the armor… USE IT!

No one worthy of the title “soldier” or “warrior” ever just puts on their battle gear and then just sits and watches the war.  And no one worthy of those titles would ever go to war without the equipment needed to fight effectively.  We have got to get pro-active in our walk with the Lord.

2.  Pray continuously to God.  

James 5:16 “The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].”   

1^st Thessalonians 5:17 KJV “pray without ceasing”   Amp “be unceasing and persistent in prayer”
“To "pray without ceasing" refers recurring prayer, not nonstop talking. Prayer is to be a way of life--you're to be continually in an attitude of prayer.”  Grace To You (blog)

          3.  Praise God.

2 Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always and delight in your faith”

          4.  Pursue God.

Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].”

          5.  Ponder Godly things.

Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].”

Tomorrow… Paul tells us how to invest our thinking time.