DEFENDING YOUR MIND AGAINST THE ATTACKS FROM THE EVIL ONE

BIBLE PASSAGE:
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. 
(2 Corinthians 10:5)

MEDITATION:
Have you experienced a time (or times) when you weren’t even thinking 
sinful thoughts and ‘out of the blue’ a sinful thought comes to mind?
It can happen anywhere, even while attending a worship service 
when your attention is on what God’s Word has to say specifically to you.

Where do these thoughts come from, and why?
First of all, we know that they are not from God, right?
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be 
tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when 
they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (James 1:13-14)
James tells us that we never completely escape the evilness within us.

As much as he preached to others about the freedom available through Christ, 
even Paul recognized that sin is always lurking and ready to pounce on him 
in its attempts to destroy his freedom, 
and return him to the bondage of disobedience.
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, 
evil is right there with me. (Romans 7:21)

James and Paul remind us of the power of Satan, 
who wants to reignite our sinful thoughts in his efforts 
to take our attention away from God and His righteousness.
He has the potential of resurrecting vivid reminders of the sins of our past.
Satan hates God, so naturally he hates those who worship God.
His goal is to discourage and corrupt us, 
so we will be of no use to our Savior.

So, how do we handle these unexpected sinful thoughts when they arrive?
Paul says we need to identify them immediately and realize why they appeared.
When any thought is contrary to righteousness (“sets itself up 
against the knowledge of God”), we know we have an issue to deal with.
We either escort the thought out of our mind immediately, or we embrace it.

Secondly, Paul tells us that we need to demolish the thoughts.
That means that we recognize we are under attack and we fight back.
We make a conscious effort to dismiss any sinful thoughts 
as quickly as they appear.

Lastly, Paul tells us to take control of the thoughts.
How do we do that?
We make a conscious decision 
to push them aside by intentionally thinking about Christ.
Left alone, these thoughts can control us, and lead us to disobedience.
However, through the power of the Holy Spirit (sent from God to the hearts 
of those in His family), we can overpower sinful thoughts 
and replace them with Godly thoughts.

ACTION:
Are you frustrated that sinful thoughts can even enter your mind?
God has given every believer the capability of 
controlling these thoughts, instead of allowing them to control us.
However, these sinful thoughts will remain, and probably worsen, unless 
you realize they are battling for control of your mind and you fight back. 
 
Take to heart and implement Paul’s strategy to: 
(1) identify the thoughts as ungodly
(2) demolish the thoughts - don't allow them to get comfortable in your mind 
(3) smother them with righteous thoughts about Christ

Pray.
“Heavenly Father, You know how Satan is constantly attacking me in 
his attempts to gain control of my thoughts. Thank You for sending the 
Spirit of Christ into my heart as an ally to help me in my battles with 
Satan, and the sinful thoughts he uses to try to control my mind, and me. 
Help me to demolish these thoughts as soon as they arrive and to replace
them with good thoughts of how Jesus died for me so that I can be free
from the control of Satan, and look forward to the home prepared for me
in heaven.”

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