“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
Do you have a battle between fear and faith that goes on in your mind? I do. I want to trust God AND I want to control situations. Maybe that’s you too. Maybe sometimes you feel lots of spiritual confidence–you feel God is with you and for you, and then in a moment you have this crippling insecurity that freezes you and keeps you from going forward.
We are in a battle. A violent battle that happens 24/7. We all need God’s direction and plan to fight that battle. What truth do we need?
MOST OF THE BATTLES OF LIFE ARE WON OR LOST IN YOUR MIND
Here’s the good news–God’s Word can transform and renew your mind with truth. We have power to destroy strongholds. What is a stronghold? A stronghold is when you believe something that is untrue, and that belief takes you away from God’s plan and purpose for you. It defeats you. Our enemy Satan will lie to you.
What does Satan tell you? “You’ll never amount to much.” “God could never forgive you.” “You can’t trust people.” “Everything is bad and it’s going to just get worse.” How do we fight this battle in our mind? “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV). With God’s help we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. You’re in a battle for your mind. Your mind moves your life. Our lives move in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think determines what we become.
AN INVENTORY ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK (Three questions)
Are you characterized by panic, anxiety, and fear or would you say you’re more on the side of being full of peace? Do you depend on God’s peace that goes beyond all human ability to understand or does worry control you?
Do your thoughts drift more negative than positive? Do you assume the worst or do you believe the best? In difficult situations, are you thankful for a God who is working in all things to bring about good to those who are called according to His purpose?
Do you think more about things that are in the moment or do they move toward the bigger picture? Are your thoughts about what people think about you, or what you have or don’t have? Or do they drift toward things that will last forever? Like the life that God has given to you to use for Him, and the spiritual gifts you have to use for others.
We need a plan to fight the battle in your mind.
GOD’S PLAN TO FIGHT THE BATTLE IN YOUR MIND
Identify the biggest stronghold holding you back from God’s plan.
What is the lie that is holding you prisoner? That lie that is a constant thought–a stronghold. What is it? Just start with one. What makes you feel helpless, hopeless worthless? Name that stronghold, because you can't defeat what you don’t define.
Identify the truth of God that demolishes that stronghold.
”Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NIV) The truth matters. Knowing the truth of God does what? It sets you free. You need to be set free. Some of you don’t have what God has given you, and aren’t living the life God wants you to live, because you are defeated by a lie that holds you prisoner.
You are not who others say you are. You’re not even who the lies in your own mind tell you that you are. You are who God says you are. So, what are you going to do? Capture those lies, name them, and replace those lies with God’s truth. And the truth will then set you free.
