BIBLE PASSAGE:
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
(Psalm 119:15)
MEDITATION:
Psalm 119:9 asks, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity?”
and answers, “By living according to your word.”
It means we do more than just read God’s Word,
we integrate His principles into our lives.
The words “ways” and “path” could be considered similar to “a rut”
(like a chariot wheel would make in the road).
We have all heard the phrase “one track mind”
and we need to determine what “track” our mind is on.
When Satan attacks, he plants a thought in our minds,
and it is at that point the battle begins.
These thoughts can show up when we least expect them.
And, if we fail to handle them correctly,
we give Satan a foothold control of our mind.
Once he has a foothold, it isn’t long before he has a stronghold.
We see a warning in Proverbs of how our mind can define who we are.
As someone thinks within himself, so he is. (Proverbs 23:7)
The scriptures don’t lie because we see this played out in real life, don’t we?
For instance, when someone is consumed with negative thoughts,
other people define him/her as a ‘negative person’.
On the other hand, when someone is filled with positive thoughts,
other people talk about how enjoyable they are to be around.
Negative thinking makes us a negative person;
positive thinking makes us a positive person;
righteous thinking makes us pleasing to the Lord.
If we try to battle these thoughts from Satan
with our own ingenuity and strategy, we are destined to fail
(he is more experienced in corrupting the mind than we are at fighting against him).
However, the scriptures give us strategies for victory and success.
First, we have to realize that these thoughts are real, and take control of them.
That means we control them, rather allowing them to control us.
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)
Secondly, we purposely replace these thoughts from Satan with Godly thoughts.
Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think
about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
Next, we avoid being negatively influenced by our worldly environment,
but instead we find (and enjoy) God’s Will for our lives.
Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you
into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know
God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Lastly, we remember that God has given us a powerful spirit (along with a love
and self-discipline that defines us) for fighting against these thoughts from Satan.
God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,
but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
In order to be cleansed of these thoughts, we need to spend time
reading God’s Word (the source of our strategies and strength).
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3)
“…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy,
cleansing her by the washing with water through the word…”
(Ephesians 5:25b-26)
Visualize the Lord Jesus walking through your mind,
filling up a wheelbarrow full of filth, and throwing it out.
God’s cleansing powers can sweep over your soul today.
And fresh winds of the Holy Spirit can blow
through the temple of your body and make you clean and pure.
ACTION:
How are you handling the thoughts Satan tries to plant in your mind?
Do you follow God’s instructions to take control and escort them out of
your mind, or do you find yourself embellishing and savoring those thoughts?
Satan can plant a seemingly harmless thought in our mind, but if we fail
to take control of it, it can create fantasies that are played out in our minds.
Have you already allowed Satan to create some strongholds in your life?
If so, then don’t feel defeated and give up, but ask the Lord for help
in overcoming them and restoring the righteous thoughts in your mind.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, You know the frustrations and disappointments in
my life caused by my failure to overcome the sinful thoughts from Satan.
Remind me of the power You have given me, and help me to replace
Satan’s thoughts with righteous thoughts that are pleasing to You. Fill
my mind with love and self-control, so that I can climb out of this rut I
am in, which has been stealing my peace and joy. Create in me a mindset
that looks for the good in others, easily copes with the negativity of others,
forgives those who have wronged me, and is focused on encouraging others.
Help me to be more like the One I am following, Jesus Christ. Show me
Your Will for my life and guide me in pursuing it.”
blog: UTVOLWOODY.WORDPRESS.COM
BREAD FOR BELIEVERS 
When Satan attacks, he plants a thought in our minds,
and it is at that point the battle begins.
These thoughts can show up when we least expect them.
And, if we fail to handle them correctly,
we give Satan a foothold control of our mind.
Once he has a foothold, it isn’t long before he has a stronghold.
..
Such was the case yesterday. Someone close to me who was hurting and scared lashed some incredibly cruel words to me will with half truths. Enough that they took hold and became strongholds again in my mind. You are so right that we need to turn to the word. I am still stinging BUT after reading these two scriptures I feel better:
.
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3)
“…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy,
cleansing her by the washing with water through the word…”
(Ephesians 5:25b-26)
God was again good and had me not read this til today when I most needed it. Thank you DOn for your words of the Word
LikeLike
Posted by Kate Hufstetler | October 26, 2019, 1:28 pmGod always provides what we need when we need it, doesn’t He? Thanks for sharing!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Don Woodruff | October 26, 2019, 2:01 pm