The Battle of the Mind

Writing to the church in Corinth, Apostle Paul made it known: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). First of all, the apostle makes it clear that all of us are in a war; it comes with the territory and no one is exempt. We are only certified victory through the works of Jesus Christ, but we have the responsibility to work out this victory through the weapons that we have inherited through our Saviour. The first and most significant weapon we have is our salvation! Being born again is the best and biggest decision we have ever made. It may seem feeble or of no great significance because we have gotten used to it, but when the day comes and Jesus returns, we will comprehend the full gravity of our decision. We see even in Scripture that children of God would experience exemption from many calamities by virtue of their relationship with God, while their peers perished. The same is true today—our salvation, the message of the gospel, is an important and foundational pillar in our weaponry against the evil one.

Another weapon that we have in this war against the enemy is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Joshua 5:13-15; Numbers 22:23; Ephesians 6:17). Our mouths were not just made for eating, but for declaring the Word of God, which is able to cut through opposition and enforce the will of the Father in our lives. Our words are important, and many children of God short-circuit the workings of God in their lives through careless speech that empowers the enemy. Stop this! If our words are not used to agree with the Word of God, then we are in gross misuse. Additionally, Apostle Paul adds, “…by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left…” (2 Corinthians 6:7) – he makes it known that our righteousness is an armor. This ability to stand in the presence of God without fear or guilt has become to us a shield of protection that works in our favor in the war.

Speaking to the church in Rome, Apostle Paul told them, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). Darkness refers to ignorance, and light refers to revelation. The truth is, the more you know, the more you are empowered – and we eradicate darkness by adding light, more and more of it, until the concentration has overpowered that of the opposition we are dealing with. If you are in any kind of trouble: increase the intake of the Word, build yourself in what the Lord has said, and your conviction will naturally grow in that direction. We have to be militant, because this kingdom has, from the days of John the Baptist, suffered violence (war), but it is those who are determined to win who will make it (Matthew 11:12). Satan does not care for the weakness you coddle – he will throttle you to your last breath and give you no break.

These battles Apostle Paul is referring to are not physical; these are strongholds formed over a long period of time. Strongholds are built in the acceptance of people, but the kingdom of God is not in what men have accepted and made peace with – the kingdom of God is built on the Word of God only! Those things we have found strength in that do not come from God become an entrance for opposition in our lives. We have to become like Jesus – that is the standard. If we conform to the image of Jesus, then we will be able to fulfil the call of God upon our lives. If we can change our minds, we truly can change our lives. We do this through the acceptance of the Word of God in meekness, because it is this very Word of God that is able to save our souls (James 1:21). Once we conquer the mind, we have conquered the enemy. He will no longer be able to dominate us through evil imaginations, because as a man thinketh, so is he. Wake up, brethren – the battle is in the mind, and you have all it takes to enforce your victory!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the truth being revealed to us with every teaching. We thank you for shining light on our understanding, for renewing our mind according to your word and principles. We thank you for the grace to change and align, for the conviction to pick up our weapons and enforce our victory, and we thank you for your mercy when we fall short, and may we never become callous to your counsel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.