Stop Letting the Enemy Manage Your Mind

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

Far too often, we allow outside circumstances to defeat us in our mind before we can even begin to defend ourselves, let alone fight back and overcome.  We allow the negative influences and suggestions of our mind to consume us.  This is a direct attack of the enemy.  But, just as the enemy has an arsenal of darts ready to attack our mind, God has a counterattack that He places at our disposal  through His word that is unsurpassed by the enemy.  

Utilizing these, God's strategies, ensures victory in the battle over our mind.  You can let the enemy know that you are no longer under his management; his supervision, his influence, and his care.  You can let him know you are now being led by the Holy Spirit.  The bible tells us its strategies work for us when we walk in the spirit:

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

In order for you to gain and keep control of your mind:

®     Let Christ's mind be in you:

Apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 2:5

The word "let" means to permit or embrace. We are to let our mind become like the mind of Jesus.  It is possible to achieve this, Apostle Paul wrote...

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

®     Gird up the loins of your mind:

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;   1 Peter 1:13

In the natural body, the loins are the central portion of the body below the waist. The loins are the strongest parts of the body. Peter is saying we should prepare our mind to be strong. Again, it is something WE do.

®     Take wrong thoughts captive:

We are told to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience to Christ" 

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 10:5 

If thoughts were not enemies, then there would be no need to take them captive. Think about how a soldier takes an enemy captive in the natural world. Apply these ideas spiritually as you "take captive" every thought that is contrary to the word of God.

®     Cast down wrong thoughts:

One of the main defensive counter strategies to protect the mind is that of casting down. To cast something means to hurl it with great force. Apostle Paul said:

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

We are to cast down evil imaginations Satan puts into our mind. We are to cast down thoughts that exalt themselves against God. We are to bring every thought into captivity and obedience to the Lord.

We "cast down" by consciously taking control of our mind and refusing to dwell on the thoughts Satan inserts. Note that WE are told to cast down...It is not something God does for us.

®     Think on these things:

One way to "gird" up the loins of  our mind is to think on proper subject matter. Apostle Paul said:

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 by any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

®     Renew your mind:

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.   Ephesians 4:23

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)

We renew our mind by prayer and meditation on God's Word.

®     Encourage yourself in the lord:

David encouraged himself in the Lord:

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.    1  Samuel 30:6

Again, WE must take action. We must encourage our self in God. Do not wait for others to do it. Do it yourself with God's help!

®     Recognize the source of confusion:

Recognize that confusion is not of God:

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.    1 Corinthians 14:33

Since confusion is not of God, refuse to accept the spirit of confusion in your mind.

®     Control the gates:

In Old Testament times cities were surrounded by walls for defense against enemy forces. The walls had gates where guards controlled the entrance. Whoever controlled the gates of the city controlled the entrance and exit to the city.

A similar situation exists in terms of controlling the mind. The "gates" to our innermost being are the five senses. It is important that we do not allow anything to enter that has the ability to destroy from within. This means we must control our fleshly nature.

Avoid things that would open the gates to your mind. These include things like drugs and alcohol which reduce your ability to think and respond. Pornography inspires sinful relationships, illicit sexual activity and even sex crimes. Certain kinds of music, witchcraft, cultist activity, and mind control all open the "gates" to our mind.

Put off all the works of the flesh and let God develop in you the fruit of the Holy Spirit: 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.    Galatians 5:19-26 

NEVER GIVE IN to the mental influences and attacks of the enemy. If you give in, God may give you up to your depravity. 

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:    Romans 1:24  

God sometimes gives people up to what they have given in to. Ask Jesus to help you. Remember that one of the Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus said He would "control the gates of His enemy." Let Him exert this control over your spiritual "gates."

®     Keep your mind stayed on god:

Keep your mind "stayed" or centered on God:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.  Isaiah 26:3

This is a great promise! If we keep our mind centered on God, we can have peace despite every attack of the enemy.

In the battle for the mind, Satan attempts to cause:

●     A carnal mind:                                                              Romans 8:6-7

●     A mind alienated from God by wicked works:       Colossians 1:21

●    A defiled mind:                                                              Titus 1:15

●     A fleshly mind:                                                              Ephesians 2:3

●     A hardened mind:                                                        Daniel 5:20

●     A doubtful mind:                                                          Luke 12:29

●     A vain mind:                                                                  Ephesians 4:17

●    A blinded mind:                                                             2 Corinthians 3:14

●     A seared mind and conscience:                                 Titus 1:15

●     A spiteful mind:                                                            Ezekiel 36:5

●     An evil mind:                                                                 Acts 14:2

●     An unbelieving mind:                                                  2 Corinthians 4:4

●     A fainting mind:                                                            Hebrews 12:3

●     A reprobate mind:                                                        2 Timothy 3:8

●     Double mindedness:                                                    James 1:8; 4:8

●     A corrupt mind:                                                            1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Timothy 3:8;

                                                                                                   2  Corinthians 11:3

Though Satan tries to influence our thoughts and actions, God gives us keys to keep our mind at peace and free from the ‘wiles’ of the enemy.  Positive mental qualities you should develop:

●     A ready mind:                                                    2 Corinthians 8:19; 1 Peter 5:2; Acts 17:11

●     A pure mind:                                                      2 Peter 3:1

●     A stayed mind:                                                   Isaiah 26:3

●     A renewed mind:                                               Ephesians 4:23; Romans 12:2

●     A humble mind:                                                 Colossians 3:12; Acts 20:19

●     A sober mind:                                                     Titus 2:6

●     A sound mind:                                                    2  Timothy 1:7

●     A mind of love:                                                    Matthew 22:37

●     A serving mind:                                                   Romans 7:25

●     A fully persuaded mind:                                    Romans 14:5

●     A fervent mind:                                                   2 Corinthians 7:7

●    A willing mind:                                                     2 Corinthians 8:12 

Finally, as Apostle Paul says, 


Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5

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