Protecting Your Mind Pt. 2

In "Protecting Your Mind Pt. 1", we learned how to put on Jesus Christ (God's Armor). But here, in pt. 2, we will learn how to protect our minds by the things we think and say.

2 Corinthians 10:5 states, "Casting 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." There are things that God has totally delivered us from, and then there are those things that we still battle with; and this is where the fight to control our mind begins.

Before there is an action there is a thought. Now if you allow a thought to play itself over and over in your mind you will eventually act out that thought. What Paul was saying in 2 Corinthians 10:5 was that as soon as a thought occurs that can lead us down a wrong path, we should replace it with something right, which is God's Word.

Protecting our minds does take some effort on our part. Here are some steps that we can take:

• Read God's word so that when a sinful thought enters our mind (a temptation), we will be able to recognize it for what it is and know what we should do.
• Live in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, mainly through seeking His strength through prayer. We cannot rely on our own strength, we will fail.
• We must not feed our minds with that which will promote sinful thoughts. Guard your heart, Beloved. This means to avoid, videos, websites, conversations, and situations that will set us up to fail. It is also smart to avoid spending time with those who would encourage us down these wrong paths.
• We are to pursue God aggressively, substituting godly pursuits and mindsets for sinful thoughts.
• Fellowship with other christians, Fellow christians who will encourage us in our walk with Christ, who will pray for and with us, and who will hold us accountable in avoiding our old ways.
• Last but most important, have faith in Christ as Savior from our sin.

The last part of this teaching is very essential. Solomon made it plain and simple in Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." WOW, what a revelation! The words we speak can either promote life or they can promote death. You can eat the fruit of life or the fruit of death. I don't know about you, but I will be watching every word that comes out of my mouth from this day forward.

It's time to get out of the habit of complaining and saying that you are broke, and that things never go right for you. Begin to speak victory. Say, "I am pleasing to the Lord and He enjoys my fellowship. I am well favored and more than able to receive His abundant provision. God's angels accompany me on my right and on my left. They shall guide me! God has determined that I shall have good success because I move in faith and in strong courage!"

Speak God's words and promises over your children, your body, your finances, your day, and your situation. Choose life today, Beloved. Take control of your mind so that you will eat the fruit of abundance, God's abundance.

This ends our teaching on "Protecting Your Mind" and I pray that it has blessed your life in a life changing way. It has definitely blessed me. I love you, Beloved. God bless.

Author: The Proverbs 31 Woman

Protecting Your Mind Pt. 1

Taking control of our thoughts can be a very challenging thing to do, especially in our highly technological world. Provebs 4:23 states, "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." The "heart" also includes the mind and all that proceeds from it.

I have also struggled in this area. There were times I would get busy with my day to day life, and I found myself going a couple days without spending any time with God. I would feel depressed and did not know why, or I would have the urge to do things I had'nt wanted to do since before I was saved.

The problem was that I had not taken the time out to feed myself spiritually. Ephesians 6:11,12 says, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, V-12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

God's armor is more than a protective covering. It is the very life of Jesus Christ himself, and it brings victory. "Put on the armor of light," wrote Paul in his letter to the Romans,"...clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 13:12-14) When you do, He becomes your hiding place and shelter in the storm. This must be done daily in order to stay on the path God has for you each day.

Ephesians 6:13-18 goes on to state, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perserverance and supplication for all the saints..."

Now let me help you break this down a little:

• The belt of TRUTH is God's sovereignty, love, wisdom, and holiness. (Deut. 4:39, Ps. 18:1-3)
• The breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS is Jesus Christ and His blood, which cleanses us from sin. The cross which frees us from bondage to selfish nature.
• The sandals of PEACE is our peace through our union and ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• The shield of FAITH is our continual trust in God, His Word, and His promises.
• The helmet of SALVATION is God's promises of daily eternal salvation in Jesus Christ.
• The sword of the Spirit, HIS WORD, is the power of God's Word to counter deception and triumph over spiritual foes.

This concludes Pt. 1 of Protecting Your Mind. Below is a prayer that you can begin to pray out loud daily. Putting on the armor of God is your first step in protecting your mind. Join me tomorrow for Protecting Your Mind Pt. 2. May God continue to bless you in your relationship with Him. God bless, Beloved.

Author: The Proverbs 31 Woman

Sincere Prayer: The Armor Of God Prayer

As I put on the belt of truth, I thank you, Lord for showing me the truth about yourself. Thank you for reminding me that You are the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, my Father who loves me, and my Shepherd who leads me. You are my wisdom, my counselor, my hope, and my strength. You are everything I need each day.

I put on the breastplate of righteousnesness and I thank you for showing me the truth about myself--that on my own I could never be good enough to live in your presence. Thank you for taking my sins to the cross and offering me your righteous life. Show me any sin that I need to confess right now, so that nothing will hinder me from being filled to overflowing with your Spirit. [Take time for confession] Thank you for forgiving me and for filling me with your righteous life.

I put on the sandals of peace and thank you for the peace you give me when I trust and follow you. Show me how to help others find that peace.

As I guard myself with the shield of faith, I thank you for helping me have faith in you. I choose to count on everything you have shown me about yourself and everything you have promised me in your Word.

Now I put on my head the helmet of salvation, and thank you for promising me salvation both for today's battles and for eternity.

I now take up the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, and I thank you for the scriptures you have given me to memorize. Please show me which ones you want me to use to cut through deceptions and gain your victory in any battle I may face today. In Jesus' name. Amen.