Guarding the Mind
October 23, 2024
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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 10:3-5 (NIV)
Your mind is a battlefield, and God gives you everything you need for victory.
The Bible teaches that your mind is like a castle or a fortress, which is constantly under attack. In our scripture today, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 uses words like war, weapons, fight, stronghold, and captives to show that a battle is being waged. But, the Word of God also promises to equip you to win this battle.
Why is the mind the territory of this war? Your mind is the control center of who you are. The mind is the key that unlocks your heart, your hands, and your habits. Whatever controls your mind controls you.
Today’s verse explains that there is a way to fight this battle to win. But it doesn’t look the way you might expect. Can a sword or scalpel penetrate deep into a person’s thoughts? No. Your weapons are the Word of God and His divine power.
The Word of God has the power to conquer any thoughts that keep you captive. This passage says that you have power to take down any lie and make it obedient to Christ. When you are arguing in your mind about a situation, pause in order to get clear on God’s Word. Let His truth go to war on your behalf.
God also equips you with His divine power. That means you don’t have to rely on will power because you have His power. You can pray, read the Word, and trust God to work His will into your heart, changing you from the inside out.
Pay careful attention to what you allow to pop up on your screen because it will pop up in your mind. Consider what you hear and where you spend your time. Allow the Word of God to be a guard that stands at the door of your mind 24 hours a day. God’s Spirit will help you only allow what will bring you closer to Him.
You don’t have to allow unhealthy thoughts and ideas to take root. Welcome God’s Word and His power to help you guard your mind and win the war over your thoughts.
Prayer: Father God, Thank You that You have given me divine power to take down any thought that does not exalt Jesus. Help me identify those thinking patterns that keep me captive and confront them with the truth of Your Word. By Your Spirit, help me partner with you to guard my mind and keep my thoughts on you. In Jesus Name, Amen.