The Fight for Your Mind

by Marcus M.

What if I told you that you were going to get into one of the biggest fights of your life? Who or what would your opponent be? How would you imagine him, her, or it? Now what if I told you that one of your toughest opponents wasn’t even external to yourself however it was your former self, how you used to think, your old desires, your worldly wants. Our old mindset as believers in Jesus can present the most challenges in our walk with Christ. Our Father in heaven actually cares about the way we think, and what we choose to allow our minds to dwell on. It isn’t okay to fantasize about things that we know are not pleasing to God. This includes lust, fear, doubt, and unbelief which are all sins of the mind before they even become an action. Jesus said whoever looks at a woman to lust after has already committed adultery with her in his heart. See everything starts with a thought in the mind first before it reaches the hand and becomes an action. Jesus is God and He knows the makeup of His creation. The book of James chapter 1 verse 13-15 reads

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:13-15

Before sin is physically manifested it starts out as lust (or any selfish desire). God’s Word testifies of this truth. If we want to overcome sin, worry, or dead faith, it is time to start taking our thought life very seriously. We have to literally wage war on all negative sinful thinking. God has not only given us the power and ability to have victory over the flesh and our old nature but we also have the grace to overcome the devils mental attacks as well. As soon as a thought that falls short enters into our minds we must take that thought captive! We cannot be passive when it comes to this. Our thoughts must be intentional. If our God and Father tells us to be anxious for nothing then we shouldn’t allow our bank accounts, jobs, and certain relationships consume our thoughts. If The Bible describes a disciple of Jesus as more than a conqueror, then we must reject a victim’s mentality. These thoughts should not be allowed to take up real estate in our minds. Scripture clearly tells us to “cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5. According to the aforementioned scripture we will have thoughts that try to enter into our minds that are against God and His Word, however when those thoughts come we are supposed to actively cast them down and take them captive! Some of us wouldn’t dare let a person talk to us any kind of way. Some of us would check that person quick (which most of the time is prideful by the way). However we need to have that same mentality when it comes to thoughts that try to enter into our minds when we KNOW they aren’t of Christ. Check those thoughts immediately. It is literally a fight. These wicked imaginations oftentimes are birthed from the things we take in on a daily basis.

Television shows, movies, magazines, social media pages, you name it. The devil has something for everyone. What are you feeding your mind regularly? If those messages don’t have an effect on the way you think and in many cases act, you are kidding yourself. The eyes are the windows to the soul (or mind) and gazing at the wrong things can corrupt us. In addition to the things that we taken passively, our thoughts can be corrupted by engaging in the wrong conversations with the wrong people. Yes gossip corrupts the mind. Scripture tells us to speak evil of know man (Titus 3:2). Participating in gossip and even passively lending an ear to it can have a negative impact on how we view other image bearers of God. Which is a skewed view of the person most of time. Gossip is evil and God hates it, it should be avoided at all cost.

Now with that being said, controlling our thoughts doesn’t stop at preventing wicked imaginations, it also includes intentionally thinking good things. There should literally be a list of things that you can dwell on that are positive, uplifting, and encouraging to your soul. Some examples are the birth of your child, spending time with a loved one, answered prayer, receiving a random act of kindness, show compassion, and most importantly meditating on the Lord Jesus Christ and His goodness. The Word of God literally commands us to think this way. Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” You see, your thought life is an active fight that is real and God and satan knows that there is a fight for your mind first before either righteousness or sin becomes a reality. Knowing this, be a “blessing counter” today and fight selfish unclean thoughts and desires, spend time in prayer, and watch how God operates in your life.

15 Comments

  1. Praise the Lord! Thank you Marx for such a powerful word. Jesus, I pray that you will be the center of my thoughts. I pray that I will be intentional in what I allow to consume my thoughts and mind.

  2. Great article!

  3. Marcus this is such a great blog! In this day and time we as a people no matter what creed, color, or race of people. We are often consumed by our thoughts. Which is also our minds. Example we are often asked “what are your thoughts” or “what do you think about that”? 9 out of 10 we’re giving our opinions and sometimes they could be good or bad -most likely depending on experience with the situation or our judgment. However, a scripture came to me and it says …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.
    -Philippians 4:8. Therefore, my goal today is to apply this scripture to my life and I pray that my thoughts are as such before I give my answer. Thank you for sharing this blog.

  4. Love it Marcus! Keep Doing the Great Work God Have For you! You Are Amazing son, cousin , friend….

  5. Amen! Amen!! Amen!!!
    We have to be diligent and intentional in letting the Holy Spirit rule our mind and control our thought. We have to dwell on Phil 4: 8 at all times. if we try to do it on our own, we only end up fulfilling our selfish desire and that’s what the devil capitalizes. We have the Power through Christ who strengthens us. Therefore, we should continually and fervently reject negative sinful thoughts. God will see us through. Thank God for using you to share this awesome Gospel.
    God Bless you!

  6. This is a blessing Polo. And timely!

  7. God Bless you bro!!! I’m thankful that you allow The Lord to use you in a mighty way! I pray that He continues to do so!!

  8. Krystal Williams

    January 9, 2020 at 6:13 am

    Hello, Marcus!

    First, I must say, I know that this particular blog is a little old based upon its publishing date, but yet and still, it is such an on-time word for this very moment in my life. Through your obedience, I have gained an understanding of something I have been asking God about for the last few days. So, thank you!

    Being that I am in a field that focuses on the treatment of mental illness, I understand just how powerful thoughts are and how these very thoughts can greatly impact one’s behavior.

    Once again, thank you for such an insightful article and spiritual reminder! Blessings!

    Krystal

    • Amen Krystal! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your thoughts on this subject. Through Christ ALL things are possible. Your encouragement is a reminder from the Lord for me to continue to share His word through my testimonies. God bless you 🙏🏾—Marcus

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