The Battle Is in the Mind
TODAY’S VERSE
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
II Corinthians 10:5
“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Philippians 4:8
TODAY’S THOUGHT
When it comes to the many struggles in life, the real battle is often in the mind. James writes, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1) That is why Paul tells us to demolish those thoughts that stand against what God wants for us. We are in a Spiritual battle and need to take every stray thought captive and repent, correct it the way God would have us correct it. If I am hating someone, I need to capture the hateful thoughts, realize that they are wrong, ask forgiveness and choose not to hate. Paul also gives us a second way to win the victory in the battle for our mind. He instructs us to discipline our thinking so it focuses on thoughts that are worthy of praising God for. Those thoughts that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent. Anger, bitterness, hate, jealously, fear, anxiety; these negative emotions can literally kill us. They are joy robbers. They suck the life right out of us. Greed, selfishness, pride; thoughts that are worldly, keep us from living for God. The good news is that God has not left you powerless. You have a choice. Take responsibility for your thought life. Capture the negative thoughts and focus on the good ones. Today, choose your thoughts wisely.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, so much goes on in my head. Help me today dear Jesus, to bring every thought captive and realign them to where they are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent. In Your name I pray.
AMEN
Ron Ovitt is an author, ordained minister, pastoral counselor, recovery coach, and President of Empower Ministry. Besides his lifetime experience of teaching and preaching, Ron has given over 500 lectures on habits, addictions, and emotional & spiritual-related topics. For information on his books, videos, and podcasts, go to www.ronovitt.com<http://www.ronovitt.com>
“Have one God and you will have no devil”
A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways( James 1;8). In everything he thinks, feels, or decides.