Sitka, June 15, 2018 This is a response from reading a Devotional by Charles Stanley, called Life Principles to Live By, Day 9:
When I read this devotional, I thought if this scripture:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5,
The Message:
“The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.”
I believe the battlefield is in the mind. Our minds first, and others’ minds next. At the same time the battle is in the heavenlies and with the power of the prince of the air. (The devil and his demons).
When dealing with warfare, my first thought is, does this mindset line up perfectly with the Word of God? I don’t act on any thought immediately, but consult my King first. When I get the go ahead, then I will know how to stand firm against the enemy. (See Ephesians 6:10-19)
As I look to Him, God will define the enemy, and give me the tools to fight. The biggest battlefield is my own mind. Many a well-meaning believer has fallen as they go into a battle unprepared, without a true knowledge of scripture and without a quiver full of Truth, being filled with the Holy Spirit and called to the battle.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5, The King James Version translates the passage this way:
“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;”
The above scripture talks about imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the (True) knowledge of God. When thoughts run through my mind, I do not let them take over. I am in charge of my thoughts, and I am able to take captive all thoughts, especially any thought that does not agree 100% with scripture or those thoughts that do not represent who God truly is.
Our time in scripture every day is our sword in the battle. The Truth holds us together, our faith as a shield against the enemy's lies, our hearts and our minds are protected by the breastplate of Jesus’ Righteousness and the helmet of salvation.
There is never any rush to expose the enemy, he will expose himself, and God will display the battlefield. The only things we need to address immediately are our thoughts, and God’s assessment of the situation. We stand firm until we get the go ahead from the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 54:17, Amplified Version:
“‘No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from Me,’ declares the LORD.”
We are not in this battle alone. And God prepares His people for battle. We must always remember it’s His Battle, His way. We are never independent of Him. Equally yoked with the Savior, we go into battle for our loved ones and our city and country.
Prepare, count the cost, and go, with Jesus, to make disciples in this increasingly evil world, remembering it’s not against people we battle, but against powers and principalities in high places. At the Name of Jesus they must fall.
When I read this devotional, I thought if this scripture:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5,
The Message:
“The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.”
I believe the battlefield is in the mind. Our minds first, and others’ minds next. At the same time the battle is in the heavenlies and with the power of the prince of the air. (The devil and his demons).
When dealing with warfare, my first thought is, does this mindset line up perfectly with the Word of God? I don’t act on any thought immediately, but consult my King first. When I get the go ahead, then I will know how to stand firm against the enemy. (See Ephesians 6:10-19)
As I look to Him, God will define the enemy, and give me the tools to fight. The biggest battlefield is my own mind. Many a well-meaning believer has fallen as they go into a battle unprepared, without a true knowledge of scripture and without a quiver full of Truth, being filled with the Holy Spirit and called to the battle.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5, The King James Version translates the passage this way:
“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;”
The above scripture talks about imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the (True) knowledge of God. When thoughts run through my mind, I do not let them take over. I am in charge of my thoughts, and I am able to take captive all thoughts, especially any thought that does not agree 100% with scripture or those thoughts that do not represent who God truly is.
Our time in scripture every day is our sword in the battle. The Truth holds us together, our faith as a shield against the enemy's lies, our hearts and our minds are protected by the breastplate of Jesus’ Righteousness and the helmet of salvation.
There is never any rush to expose the enemy, he will expose himself, and God will display the battlefield. The only things we need to address immediately are our thoughts, and God’s assessment of the situation. We stand firm until we get the go ahead from the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 54:17, Amplified Version:
“‘No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from Me,’ declares the LORD.”
We are not in this battle alone. And God prepares His people for battle. We must always remember it’s His Battle, His way. We are never independent of Him. Equally yoked with the Savior, we go into battle for our loved ones and our city and country.
Prepare, count the cost, and go, with Jesus, to make disciples in this increasingly evil world, remembering it’s not against people we battle, but against powers and principalities in high places. At the Name of Jesus they must fall.
RSS Feed
