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Sunday, February 8, 2009

The Battlefield of the Mind Part II

The mind is so crucial for Satan’s plan because our thoughts are what give way to our emotions. I heard a story about a man who was at work, and at the end of the day on Friday a co-worker came and told him that he heard that he was going to be fired on Monday. The man became bothered by this and went home that weekend constantly in thought about why he would be getting fired. He was agitated and would snap at his wife and children. He thought of all the things that he had done good, and how he excelled over some of his other co-workers. By the time Monday rolled around he was ready to let his boss have it. His boss called him into his office. As he walked to his office all he could think about was going on a tirade about how he was more qualified to manage the business than his boss was. He took a seat and just before he let loose, he was told about the promotion that he was getting. The lie that he was told by the co-worker had been mulled over and over in his mind, and produced a huge amount of anger. Most of us have a situation that we have been in that if we think about it, or replay the circumstances in our mind, we will get ourselves riled up about it. It doesn’t even have to happen to us again. The mere thought of it stirs up those emotions. This is why our thoughts have to be kept in strict check. We need to make sure that our thoughts are true, and that they aren’t going to illicit emotions that will be hard to control.

Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.

Keep in mind that the emotions themselves aren’t wrong or bad, but they can compel us to do things that we shouldn’t.

Eph. 4:26, 27
“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.

We live in a society today that wants us to, “follow your heart”, but I say no, that is the opposite of what we need to do. As in the case of the mad above, our emotions can be based off of a lie. What we should be saying is “follow the truth”

4 comments:

Ancoti said...

The biggest issue to me is that the battle of the mind is one you fight alone, and it can often be the darkest and loneliest of battles.

Things you are reluctant to share with others can fester there and overcome you. The good news is that God knows those thoughts and will help you battle them if you let Him onto your front lines.

John said...

And not only Him, but others as well. We are told to confess our sins to other believers (James 5:16). Our sin should never be kept in the darkness, that is where the devil thrives. Tell others what stuggles you have, it is liberating. The things you are reluctant to share are exactly the things that should be shared.

Anonymous said...

Sorry John, too frazzled to comment.

I'll try to come back when my head is working!

Sharon G said...

Keep sharing my friend. Great stuff