The War We Wage
"Whatever gets your heart gets you."
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Reflection
It's time to stand guard. Imagine standing guard outside a gate. As the guard, you decide what comes in and what stays out. And this is precisely what God's word tells us to do with our hearts. Guard it. Protect it. Be diligent in caring about what you allow into your life. Only some things that come knocking on your door should be allowed entry. Sometimes what seems harmless can be very dangerous.
You see, our hearts are the control center for our lives. Everything we do, every decision we make, and every action we take flows from our hearts and minds. So if we want to live life to the fullest and experience all God has for us, we must learn how to protect our hearts from the constant, relentless, violent, brutal attack happening every minute of the day. Do not allow access. Whatever gets your heart gets you. Your thoughts are the guide, so the vital question is, who is the author of your thoughts?
Failing to ask that question, as the appointed guard over your heart and mind, you stand down and allow entry into your control center by unholy and corrupted thoughts and actions.
Your thoughts are powerful. Second Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive to obey Christ. As the guard of your mind, you take it captive when you become aware of a thought that does not align with God's grace, mercy, and love. You arrest it. You bind it. You evict it from the sacred space of your mind.
I get it. Sometimes, we allow crazy thoughts to run wild, but we can take back the authority over our lives.
What has a stronghold on your thoughts? Where have you been stuck in worry or fear? What same old negative thinking runs through your mind like a tornado, destroying everything in its path? Those are strongholds holding you back from the freedom of living the life God has for you.
Second Corinthians 10:4 tells us, "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (ESV).
Our weapons have the divine power to demolish strongholds.
Stand guard. If you're not doing what you should be, struggling with making the right choices and taking action, check what you've allowed to come into your heart and mind. Anything without God's fire, kick them out.
Action Steps
Prayer
Lord, thank You for filling my heart and mind with Your truth, breaking any and all strongholds that I have been holding on to. Help me take my thoughts captive to align with Your word. Protect my heart and mind from distractions, negativity, unholiness and anything that is not of You. I pray this in Your mighty Name. Amen.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Reflection
It's time to stand guard. Imagine standing guard outside a gate. As the guard, you decide what comes in and what stays out. And this is precisely what God's word tells us to do with our hearts. Guard it. Protect it. Be diligent in caring about what you allow into your life. Only some things that come knocking on your door should be allowed entry. Sometimes what seems harmless can be very dangerous.
You see, our hearts are the control center for our lives. Everything we do, every decision we make, and every action we take flows from our hearts and minds. So if we want to live life to the fullest and experience all God has for us, we must learn how to protect our hearts from the constant, relentless, violent, brutal attack happening every minute of the day. Do not allow access. Whatever gets your heart gets you. Your thoughts are the guide, so the vital question is, who is the author of your thoughts?
Failing to ask that question, as the appointed guard over your heart and mind, you stand down and allow entry into your control center by unholy and corrupted thoughts and actions.
Your thoughts are powerful. Second Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive to obey Christ. As the guard of your mind, you take it captive when you become aware of a thought that does not align with God's grace, mercy, and love. You arrest it. You bind it. You evict it from the sacred space of your mind.
I get it. Sometimes, we allow crazy thoughts to run wild, but we can take back the authority over our lives.
What has a stronghold on your thoughts? Where have you been stuck in worry or fear? What same old negative thinking runs through your mind like a tornado, destroying everything in its path? Those are strongholds holding you back from the freedom of living the life God has for you.
Second Corinthians 10:4 tells us, "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (ESV).
Our weapons have the divine power to demolish strongholds.
Stand guard. If you're not doing what you should be, struggling with making the right choices and taking action, check what you've allowed to come into your heart and mind. Anything without God's fire, kick them out.
Action Steps
- Is there a stronghold in your life? Something holding you back? Something that has power over you, keeping you from stepping into the life you were created for? Will you name it?
- What are you watching? What are you reading? What are you listening to? Who are you hanging out with? Where are you going, and what are you doing? How are you spending your time? Who is speaking into your life?
- How will you be intentional this week to fill your heart and mind with God’s word and to strengthen your relationship with the Lord?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for filling my heart and mind with Your truth, breaking any and all strongholds that I have been holding on to. Help me take my thoughts captive to align with Your word. Protect my heart and mind from distractions, negativity, unholiness and anything that is not of You. I pray this in Your mighty Name. Amen.
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