Winning The War In Your Mind: Day One

Here is the devotional:

Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think shapes who we are.

You might read that and think I’m being an overly dramatic preacher using hyperbole to get your attention. But this is no exaggeration.

Our lives do follow the direction of our thoughts. The better we grasp that truth, the better equipped we’ll be to change the trajectory of our lives. But don’t take my word for it. Both the Bible and modern science provide evidence that this is true. So throughout this Bible Plan, we’ll unpack both Scripture and what we’ve learned from scientific research. Here’s a brief example of both:

In Philippians 4:8–9, the apostle Paul writes, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

In these three sentences Paul moves from

thought (“think about such things”) to
action (“put it into practice”) to
experience (“the God of peace will be with you”).
Paul tells us that our thoughts shape our lives.

In recent years, an entire discipline of modern psychology has developed called cognitive behavioral therapy. This breakthrough teaching reveals that many problems, from eating disorders to relational challenges, addictions, and even some forms of depression and anxiety, are rooted in faulty and negative patterns of thinking. Treating those problems begins with changing that thinking.

I don’t know about you, but when the Bible and modern psychology say the same thing, I want to know more.

What science is demonstrating today is what God told us through Solomon almost three thousand years ago: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

So if both the Bible and modern science teach us that our lives are moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts, then we need to ask ourselves, “Do I like the direction my thoughts are taking me?”

If your answer is no, then maybe it’s time to change your thinking. Maybe it’s time to decide to change your mind so God can change your life.

If you’re skeptical, that’s okay. Believe me, I get it. We’ve all tried unsuccessfully to change bad habits and force our runaway trains of thought back onto the right tracks. But this time you’re not alone. You are about to discover that God will team up with you to transform your thinking.

With God’s help, you can transform your mind. You can stop believing the lies that hold you back. You can end the vicious cycle of thoughts that are destructive to you and others. You can allow God to renew your mind by saturating you with His unchanging truth.

Here are the scriptures referenced:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:8‭-‬9 KJV

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Proverbs 23:7 KJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

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 12:1‭-‬2 KJV

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 10:3‭-‬5 KJV

Here are Stu’s thoughts:

Did you catch that? The weapons of our warfare are not physical but spiritual and mighty through God to tear down your strongholds. (stuversion)

One of our weapons of warfare is prayer and if done with the right attitude of heart it can be your most powerful weapon. Trust me in the fact that you will not change anything without praying about it.

I’m living proof.

I also love what Solomon says in Proverbs 23:7…we are what we think.

That says a lot because if in your heart you keep saying you are fat then you will never lose weight.

If you keep thinking lustful thoughts all the time you will continue to see people as sexual objects and cross the line to physical sexual acts outside of marriage. If you are single then you will in end up having sex outside of marriage and then more often than not marry for the wrong reason.

If you are a heavy drinker and continually call yourself an alcoholic (from my standpoint heavy drinker does mean alcoholic) you will never be able to put the bottle down because you are thinking about it.

There are so many scenarios where our brain defines who we are.

And the only way to change our brain is to put new stuff in there.

When one becomes a Christian they want to change. They want to quit doing whatever sin lead them to the cross in the first place.

They want to be that new creation with a new heart and mind. But their flesh still craves what it has had all this time unhindered.

The soul wants to be closer to God but the flesh still craves!

Confess you faults one to another and pray for one another. Notice it says to pray for one another. There is power in prayer to break chains!

Get that sin out in the open. Once it is shared it is no longer hidden in the dark but has been brought out into the light. Confess your thoughts and deeds. Then ask them to pray with you and for you to have a change of heart which will lead to a changed mind.

Whatever sin you have had in your life that you feel defines you as a person take that time you would spend in sin and use that time to read God’s Word and pray.

Create in me a clean heart oh God is great start to each day!