The Battlefield of the Mind

The Battlefield of the Mind
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How many of you know that our mind is a battlefield?
It’s a battlefield in which satan, our enemy, is constantly trying to take territory. So in this blog we are going to look at how to conquer the battlefield of the mind.

Romans 12:2-3 (NIV)
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.

Paul wrote to the church in Rome. He encouraged them not to conform to the old way of doing things, once they have received Jesus as Lord and Saviour. To live a new way according to God’s pattern. His message applies to us today.

The moment we accept Jesus into our lives we enter a spiritual battle. Our mind is the battlefield. We are in a war. If we are in a war then we need to know 2 things

• Who our enemy is?
• And how conquer the enemy?

Our enemy is the devil.


John 10:10 (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

When we receive Jesus into our hearts, we move from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God. The Bible shows us that at our conversion, our lives are radically changed. God begins to transform our lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

The moment we are filled with the Holy Spirit the battle for the mind becomes real. As we follow Jesus, satan tries to sow doubt into your mind. He knows there is purpose and destiny on your life. He knows you will seek to advance the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The Power of Thoughts

Our thoughts are powerful. Everything in this life started with a thought. Every building designed. Every invention made. Every decision we every made.  They all started with a thought. When that thought became an action it becomes a reality. Every sin starts with a thought, planted in your mind by the enemy. When we learn how to conquer our thoughts we can conquer our enemy.

God's strategy to help us with the battle of the mind

God has given us a clear strategy and all the spiritual weapons we need to conquer the battle of the mind.

1. Recognise that the devil is already defeated and has no power. Colossians 2:15 (NIV)

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

2. Don't give the enemy any access to your life. The only power the devil has in your life is what you allow him to have. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

3. God has given us spiritual armour to fight in and take a stand 

Ephesians 6:13-24 (NIV)
13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

4. The word of God is our sword in the Spirit and our weapon in battle. We need to fill our minds with the God's word. As we read and learn what God says, our minds our transformed. It takes time and discipline. 
 
5. God renews our minds when we learn how to take our thoughts captive.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 
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.

Philippians 4:8 describes what we should do:
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

In the battle of the mind the enemy is defeated. You have the authority and power not the enemy. You are well equipped for the battle of the mind. God is for you and with you. You need to set a guard on your mind. Take every thought captive. Meditate on his word.
Remember you more than a conqueror!

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