We have previously talked about this battle that we are in, where we wrestle against the evil rulers of this unseen world, which includes the mighty satanic beings, the great evil princes of darkness, and a huge number of wicked spirits (Ephesians 6:12). This battle takes place in the arena of our mind and is unavoidable, knowing no bounds, no gender, no age, no race, and no religion. It attacks everyone. As we see the daily struggles of those who succumb to poverty, sickness, and death, we know this war to control our soul involves tactics such as depression, fear, discouragement, low self-esteem, worry, anxiety, confusion, and doubt. What many do not know is that we actually have the power to control these evil rulers of the unseen world.
“For though we walk (live) in the flesh (in this body), we do not war (fight) after (according to) the flesh (human standards)” (II Corinthians 10:3). “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down (destroying) imaginations (false arguments) and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4-5).
We now know that our enemy comes from the spirit realm, therefore, the weaponry of our warfare cannot be that of conventional human weapons. No, we must use spiritual weaponry, weapons provided to us by God. These mighty weapons are designed to knock down and overthrow the enemy’s strongholds. When used properly, these mighty weapons can cast down every proud argument against God, can pull down every high thing that promotes itself against the knowledge of God, can bring into captivity every thought, every idea, and every suggestion that comes into our mind, and can bring into compliance our mind with the mind of Christ.
We are warned to be sober and watchful because we have an adversary. This adversary, the devil, “walks about like a roaring lion looking for those whom he can devour” (I Peter 5:8). His tactics have not change since the first temptation in the garden and there are really no secrets to his approach. He tries to control us through our mind, with thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. These thoughts, ideas, and suggestions are usually tied to our five senses. Our sense of taste, touch, smell, hearing, and seeing offers him an avenue into our mind and are the areas he tempts in order to gain control of our thought-life. When we give in to “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (I John 2:16), we become “carnally minded, which is enmity against God” (Romans 8:7) and forgo all that is spiritual, meaning the spiritual weaponry God has provided for us has no effect.
“Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:27).
We are warn to be sober-minded, to be self-controlled, to be careful, and to be vigilant, curbing every passion because we have an adversary seeking to devour us. We know that he comes “to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10) and it is through our thought-life that Satan gains access to steal our peace of mind; to steal our self-esteem; to destroy our relationships with our spouse, children, parents, and others; and to basically attempt to take us out; all of which causes us to have an out-of-control mind. Now some of you believe that you are protected by God or have some hedge that God has around you, and all of that might be true, but when you read your Bible and see such phrases as “be sober, be vigilant, resist the devil, and neither give place,” do you get the sense that you have been given the authority to one up or control the one who has come to kill, steal, and destroy? Everything hinges on your mind and you controlling your thought-life. When you learn to control your thought-life, you can learn to control the devil. Remember, your thoughts will always precede your actions and you always want to make sure that your actions be in line with the word of God.
As always, we pray that today’s inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it. If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well. Amen.
Enjoy your blessings - KW
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