The Battlefield of the Mind
Theme: To show that to have a victorious Christian life one must have control over the mind.
Text:
Introduction
¶ Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; (2 Corinthians 10:1-5 AV)
We are in a battle. We are in a war. Many times Paul speaks of the Christian life as a battle. A battle that is fought between flesh and the spirit. A battle not to sin but live a life of Holiness.
A battle to live a victorious Christian life. It is a battle it seems.
We are told to take on the Armor of God. Why?
¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the 7devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:10-17 AV)
We must not let Satan defeat us. We must not allow him to win this battle. It seems that some people do. How? By just accepting the way we are not trust in God. It seems sometimes that we have gotten so used to that mountain that we have just learned to accept it.
I want to tell you today about the battlefied and where it is located in our lives. In this world there is a big battlefield that is fought for many but I believe we can look closer and find a more important battlefield. Notice we are told to put on the “helment of Salvation”. Why because we need the hope and confidence of salvation when our battles are fought. Where? In our minds.
I. The Battlefield is the Mind
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. (Ephesians 6:12 AV)
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 AV)
There are so many strongholds that Satan uses to try to control our minds. He knows that if he can control you mind then he can control your life. You may not be bad but you will be too scared to do anything good for the Lord.
Listen to what Proverbs 23:7 says,”
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: (Proverbs 23:7 AV)
We are either controlled by the mind or the flesh.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5 AV)
But the Lord said in “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 AV)
What are some of the vices or Strongholds that Satan uses
II. The Vices(strongholds) of the mind that Satan Uses
A. Wandering,
A mind that wanders from one thought to the next. Day dreaming. This can especially happen when you are in a church service and the word of the Lord is being spoken.
B. Wondering Mind
Question things. I wonder what the weather will be like. I wonder if church will be good. I wonder. This can cause you to doubt. Sometimes we use doubt to keep us from being hurt. Satan uses it to keep us from receiving a blessing.
C. Confused Mind
This happens when we think too much about something instead of just trusting the Lord.
D. Doubtful Mind
Doubt is to stand in to ways. It is as a double minded person.
E. Unbelieving Mind
It is pure disobedience. It is as not believing.
F. Anxious Mind and Worried Mind
It is to cause to feel anxious, distressed or troubled, A soursce of nagging concern.
It just places thoughts in our mind that just have no purpose or reason to be there. They are just usless and it will turn to doubt then disbelief.
It will makes us fear and worry.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 AV)
G. Judgmental, Critical, and Suspicious Mind
This is the type of mind that always looks for the bad instead of the good. Always has to be critical instead of being uplifting. Always wondering what the motive of the person is who is nice.
The main problem with being judgemental is Pride: I
We feel sometimes that we have an opinion and it needs to be heard. But the thing is that is what it is, is an opinion. We don’t always have to be heard. We don’t always have to know the answer we can sometimes just listen.
Sowing and Reaping
¶ Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 7:1-2 AV)
I have noticed that the group that is critical and judgemental together against others when they are apart will do the same about each other.
I used to say, “If they say that about them when I am there, I would hate to hear what they say about me”.
The devil loves to keep us busy, mentally judging the faults of others. That way, we never see or deal with what is wrong with us!
I have learned to deal with a suspicious mind. I have told you before that I don’t trust everyone. I don’t mean I don’t believe what people say but I try to look at their relationship with the Lord before I truly believe what they say.
¶ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:23-25 AV)
H. Passive Mind
Lack of feeling, lack of desire, lukewarmness, riding the fence.
III. Mind of the Wilderness
Israel wandered in the widerness for 40 years because their mind was not right. They wandered because they had a wilderness mentality. They had a mentality that was stuck and it took God 40 years to get them out of it.
We get this way.
A. My future is determined by my past and my present
B. I don’t want the responsibility
C. I can’t take it if things are too hard!
D. I can’t help it-I’m just addicted to grumbling, faultfinding and complaining.
E. Don’t make me wait-I want it now
F. It’s not my fault. Blame
G. My life is so miserable.
H. I don’t deserve God’s blessings because I am not worthy.
I. Why shouldn’t I be jealous. When others are better than me.
J. I’m doing it my way or the highway.
IV. The Mind of Christ
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16 AV)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 AV)
A. Ask the Lord
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 AV)
B. Trust in the Lord
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 AV)
C. Be a doer of the Word not just a hearer
D. Set your mind on things above
¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2 AV)
E. Think positive
Choruses.
We’ve got the power, in the name of Jesus
We’ve got the power, in the name of the Lord.
Though Satan wages, we shall not be defeated
We’ve got the power in the name of the Lord.
The name of the Lord is, a strong tower,
the righteous run into and they are safe.
The name of the Lord is , a strong tower,
The righteous run into and they are safe.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Most High.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Most High.
Jesus is the name of the Lord.
