"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
I love the term "sound mind". When you have a sound wall or barrier, that means that there are no weaknesses; nothing can get through without specific provisions/alterations being made. Our mind is the same way. When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit now enables us to transform our whole way of thinking.
One ability and practice that Christians seem to miss is the act of learning to direct the thoughts that enter our head. Bill Johnson calls the mind the gatekeeper that allows the heavens (good and bad) into our lives. I have the ability of a "sound mind" to do what I wish with what enters my mind. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Paul says:
"3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."
It starts with an awareness of the battle. The mind is the home base of the army. No one gets in if they are not under the authority of Christ. What does that look like in my mind? Every thought that enters must agree with what I know to be true about Jesus Christ. If it does not, it is cast out immediately. Some things in this life are not obviously evil, but at its heart, a thing, thought, mindset may "exalt itself" above Jesus Christ. Learn to discern what that looks like. The enemy is a deceiver. He's crafty and sneaks in under other identities that seem harmless, but at their root there is an exaltation above the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
For some, knowledge in Christ may be limited, but you have to start somewhere. Latch onto everything you know to be true about Jesus Christ, His power & dominion, and what that means for yourself. Every thought that enters your mind must submit to and obey the truth and authority of Jesus Christ. We must begin to build within ourselves a fortress of thoughts unto the Lord and His truth. Cling to what you know and build on that. Cast down and punish anything that says otherwise.
As it is now, your way of thinking is habitual. So it will be like breaking a habit. This takes time and practice, but the Spirit of God will be your guide. Soon, you will form new habits and ways of thinking, depression will lift, offense will transform into honor, lust will turn to love, insecurity will rise in confidence. Scripture memorization is so powerful for this practice. Learn about the army of thoughts in your head - what is a common thought you have that does not agree with the life of a man/woman of God? Find a Scripture to combat that thought with. Every time that way of thinking enters your mind, quote your Scripture over and over until the thought is no more. Soon that Scripture will be a permanent soldier of thought in your mind.
"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." Romans 12:2I love the term "sound mind". When you have a sound wall or barrier, that means that there are no weaknesses; nothing can get through without specific provisions/alterations being made. Our mind is the same way. When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit now enables us to transform our whole way of thinking.
One ability and practice that Christians seem to miss is the act of learning to direct the thoughts that enter our head. Bill Johnson calls the mind the gatekeeper that allows the heavens (good and bad) into our lives. I have the ability of a "sound mind" to do what I wish with what enters my mind. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Paul says:
"3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."
It starts with an awareness of the battle. The mind is the home base of the army. No one gets in if they are not under the authority of Christ. What does that look like in my mind? Every thought that enters must agree with what I know to be true about Jesus Christ. If it does not, it is cast out immediately. Some things in this life are not obviously evil, but at its heart, a thing, thought, mindset may "exalt itself" above Jesus Christ. Learn to discern what that looks like. The enemy is a deceiver. He's crafty and sneaks in under other identities that seem harmless, but at their root there is an exaltation above the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
For some, knowledge in Christ may be limited, but you have to start somewhere. Latch onto everything you know to be true about Jesus Christ, His power & dominion, and what that means for yourself. Every thought that enters your mind must submit to and obey the truth and authority of Jesus Christ. We must begin to build within ourselves a fortress of thoughts unto the Lord and His truth. Cling to what you know and build on that. Cast down and punish anything that says otherwise.
As it is now, your way of thinking is habitual. So it will be like breaking a habit. This takes time and practice, but the Spirit of God will be your guide. Soon, you will form new habits and ways of thinking, depression will lift, offense will transform into honor, lust will turn to love, insecurity will rise in confidence. Scripture memorization is so powerful for this practice. Learn about the army of thoughts in your head - what is a common thought you have that does not agree with the life of a man/woman of God? Find a Scripture to combat that thought with. Every time that way of thinking enters your mind, quote your Scripture over and over until the thought is no more. Soon that Scripture will be a permanent soldier of thought in your mind.
"Transformed". Anyone watch Transformers growing up? Or the recent movies? These guys would transform from ordinary looking vehicles of the common road into weapons of mass destruction. That's what we do when we let the Spirit of God transform us by the renewal of our mind; we transform from ordinary, harmless humans into soldiers ready for any battle. Our way of thinking cannot align with the rest of the world. As our minds are renewed, we become dangerous in the Kingdom of Heaven, able to pull down any stronghold. Let the Lord equip you. Ask Him diligently to increase your faith and teach you what is acceptable unto Him, that you may think on those things. Soon your renewed mind will begin to transform your environment.
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