Devotion

Battle for the Mind
by Tyora Moody

³For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵We 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

Satan uses various methods to tempt humans to sin against God, his most popular method occurs inside our minds. Notice the first thing the serpant [Satan] did was place DOUBT in Eve's mind. "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'"(Genesis 3:1)" He makes her questions God and His Word. If you are not careful, situations can become so intense that you will ask God "Why" or question God's will when instead you should be praising God and waiting for your blessing.

The next trick of the mind Satan used was to twisted the TRUTH. "You will surely not die...For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will surely be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:4)" Satan has a way of making wrong seem attractive in our minds. We justify certain actions by saying it's "ok" or "well everybody else is doing the same thing." In the verses of study it says "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." If you don't you may do the exact opposite...disobey God.

Other methods Satan uses are:

• DISCOURAGEMENT - He makes you look at your problems instead of trusting God.
• DEPRESSION - He makes you feel depressed or like a failure, so you don't bother to try.
• PROCRASTINATION - You will continue to put off doing or obeying God's will.

All of these negative actions occur in our minds. Sometimes a simple thought "I can't" will bring you incredible misery. If Satan can get your mind off track he can draw you farther away from God. Thus drawing you away from your purpose as a child of God. We must learn to recognize the spiritual warfare in our minds and take a stand. "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God..." (Matthew 16:23; NIV).

Some things I have learned to avoid the past few years are certain television programs/movies, jokes/comediannes, music, books, listening to gossip (yeh, just as bad as gossipping), and basically anything that is negative or distracts me from God's call for us to be "holy". I'm not saying I'm perfect, but you have to purposely purge your thoughts.

"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, wahtever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellant or praiseworthy - think about such things. (Phil. 4:8)."

About the Author

For permission to reprint this devotion or study in a publication, please contact Tyora Moody at editor@faithwebbin.net or visit her personal Web site, CookieAisle.com.