Warfare of the MindSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: There is a continuous warfare in the mind of everyone in this world: between the holy thoughts of the Lord and the evil thoughts of the devil. God has provided you His powerful weapons to win over the evil thoughts, for His glory. "If you seek Him, He will be found by you." (1 Chronicles 28:9)
"You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off." (Psalm 139:2)
The Lord knows even the evil thoughts that flood into your mind and how you struggle to come out of them. But you cannot come out of them in your own strength. So, "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).
The Lord Jesus walked on this earth in human form, to be our role model in this world. In His life on earth and His death on the cross, He triumphed over all evil thoughts. He has also prepared a way for us to escape from such thoughts. Let us stop blaming ourselves for being enmeshed in these evil thoughts, but rather, let us clasp the hands of our Lord who knows us well and loves us dearly. He is mighty enough to release us from all our evil thoughts.
Look at David's prayer: "O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You." (1 Chronicles 29:18)
This should be your prayer as well. As St. Paul advised the Christians in Philippi, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6,7).
Our mind becomes transformed to the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). Then the peace of God will fill us and lead us in triumph with the Lord along the path He has prepared for us. Further, the Psalmist says, "I hate the double-minded, but I love Your law" (Psalm 119:113).
"The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
The Bible shows us, as a mirror, the evil thoughts that lie deep down in our hearts and the failures and weaknesses in our lives everyday. The Word of God, which is 'sharper than any two-edged sword', purifies us and protects us. It overpowers the devil that brings these evil thoughts. So, let us fill our thoughts and ourselves each day with the Word of God.
St. Paul says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
The Word of God granted by His Holy Spirit becomes active within us everyday, when we read it daily. While reading the Word of God, it is also necessary that the Holy Spirit should lead us. Only then the truth and the power contained in the Word of God will work within us. So, if we are not directed by the Holy Spirit, let us implore Him today, from the depth of our hearts to fill us with His Holy Spirit. We have the gracious assurance of Jesus, "Ask, and it will be given to you" (Luke 11:9). "Everyone who asks receives" (Luke 11:10).
There are many people today, who are filled with the Holy Spirit. But alas! They have no time to read the Bible, to fast or to pray. That is why, even though they have been filled with the Holy Spirit, they backslide; they sink in evil thoughts and soon sail away from the kingdom of God.
Jesus said, "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." (Matthew 17:21)
"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."(Luke 21:36)
Dear friend, if your fellowship with God appears to have weakened, if you appear to have lost the love and anointing which you once had, it is very essential that you should fast and pray and regain God's love and His precious anointing.
Guard yourself with the Word of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you each day. As David did, commit to Him all the thoughts of your heart. Spend much time everyday in fasting and prayer and be strengthened in Him. No evil thought can then overcome you. You shall live for His glory, in His kingdom, radiant as the stars in heaven. May the Lord bless you and deliver you from evil thoughts!
Prayer:
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
Help me to seek You everyday without fail and to read Your Word. Guard me and my thoughts everyday with Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. Teach me the way that I should walk. I commit all my thoughts into Your precious hands and plead You to purify them. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |