Think

Sometimes our way of thinking can really hinder us, to the point of paralyzing us, if we are not careful.  Think about it, we can be happy, and even excited, then something is brought to our attention or something just comes to our mind and all of a sudden we are knocked of our feet, so to speak, and it may not even be reality.  How many times have you been stressed, worried or even scared about a thought that just popped into your mind or something someone said to you?  

The way we think can either set us free or take us captive and enslave us, resulting in bondage.  I have a book called, “The Battle Is In The Mind.”  We hear that satan was defeated, and that is true, Jesus defeated him at the cross.  But, in our Christian walk we will have to battle him every day because he wants us back on his side, not because he loves us, no, he hates us and wants to destroy us and our relationship with Jesus because he is a deceiver and a liar.  Today many are living defeated lives because they neglect Bible study, prayer, spending time with the Lord or allowing sin to fester in their lives and have unforgiveness in their heart.  

Many are still conforming to the world and its standards, which brings me back to our way of thinking.  Unless we are transforming our minds by reading, studying and hearing God’s Word, then putting the truths we hear and learn into practice, how will we ever resist temptation?  We won’t!  Without faith it is impossible to please God and without it how will we be victorious over the enemy of our souls?  We can’t!  How do we get faith?  Read Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  We have to be studying and hearing so that we can use the Word to overcome the evil one.

How did Jesus resist temptation, or testing, in the wilderness?  By speaking the Word of God, the truth!!  Read what He said to the devil in Matthew 4:1-11, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’

But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’

Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’

Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

Jesus defeated our enemy in every way and we can overcome also if we use Jesus as our example.  He not only knew the Word but He was the Word and lived the Word.  Jesus said this in John 8:31-32, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”

I don’t want anyone to be deceived; the enemy is very much alive and is out to destroy all of God’s children.  Remember what Jesus said, “I have overcome the world.”  He also defeated the evil one and all his satanic practices and temptations, and praise the Lord, we can also overcome through Jesus our Savior and Lord!!  But, this is not automatic; we have to do our part also.  We can either have a mind that is centered on Jesus and His kingdom, or a mind that is conformed to the world and its practices, the choice is ours.  I hope you are making the right choice.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!  PS don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord!!!