What’s On Your Mind?

Years ago, I had a supervisor that I thought a lot of. He was a nice guy.  My thoughts for him expanded in a different direction though when I began to notice how he would look at women and make comments that were not appropriate. I began to see this more often and it made me very uncomfortable.  Some men, I guess, would call it “common guy talk”.  Maybe, it depends more on what kind of common guy you are.

…Place this story on pause a moment and let’s rewind to a time several months earlier….

I happen to run across a Christian author named Merlin Carothers that intrigued me.  I wanted to find more of his writings.  This was back in the day when it was much more common for you to go to a bookstore vs online.  The only book I found of his at the time was titled…”What’s On Your Mind?”.   Excited to find anything Merlin had written, I immediately purchased it not giving any consideration regarding what the topic was about. 

Once I started reading the small book I actually became embarrassed.  It was addressing sinful thoughts we might have.  The material detailed how the enemy likes to take a foothold regarding what we see. Those thoughts can create images or pictures in our minds that can lead to one sinful thought after another until the thoughts can lead to sinful acts.

It also gave me a big reminder that God sees through the window of our very being. He knows every thought and imagination that ever comes into our minds.

I finally looked closely at the picture on the front cover, which I had not done before.  The silhouette of a man and woman facing each other should have caught my eye sooner.

All of these wrongful thoughts are created by what we allow ourselves to be exposed to and then give way for our minds to dwell upon.

I immediately begin asking God why do I have this book?  “I don’t have any of these issues Lord.”   He didn’t wait in answering by reminding me of situations and scenarios where I went along with the crowd. Times I chuckled or laughed with others without even realizing it. Times I wanted to fit in more than take a stand for what was right. Times I had let my mind drift in places it didn’t belong. 

God had me examining myself and repenting of every wrongful thought I ever had. He gazed through my window and gently let me know I was hurting His heart by not being a better witness during my past mistakes.

…..Now fast forward many months later when I was with my supervisor and the comments he made regarding women that embarrassed me….

God made it very clear one day another reason why He had me purchase that book several months earlier. The next day He gave me the courage to walk into my supervisor’s office, hand him the book, and say….”God told me to give you this to read.”

A change took place after that day.   Without anything ever being discussed relating to the topic, my supervisor’s character changed. I never heard him make another inappropriate comment again!

You see, God has a way of getting our attention even when we don’t realize it.  Even when we think we don’t need it or think we are better than that.

He also prepares us with opportunities to witness to others based on what comes along our way.

All of this mind talk led me to thinking…

You know our minds are such a powerful thing.  It’s the most powerful computer system ever created.  No wonder the adversary wants to control it. 
Do you realize that if you are a child of the King the enemy has already lost the battle of having your heart and soul?  That is, if you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior then the One and only true God has accepted you and claimed you as His own!  He never leaves you nor will He ever forsake you.

Now the enemy wants us to think otherwise.  Did you catch what I just said? He wants us to think.  The only thing that Satan can try to take from us is our minds.   He can make us think that God has left us…that we are worthless…not saved…not victorious.  He can create folly and fantasy in our heads that lead us down the wrong path quickly.

Before we go any further can you join me in saying….SATAN, YOU ARE A LIAR!

The adversary creates doubt, anxiety, stress, and negativity.  He can make us physically sick by poisoning our imaginations with the wrong mindset. 

I’ve become sick with the way the enemy likes to take credit for the status of our lives.  How about you?

You and I have been given the power and authority to resist the devil and walk in victory!   We might mess up in believing that continually.  It can be a real challenge.   But that is why we need something to set us straight and back on course. 

TRUTH

We need to continually reinforce the truth, for the truth sets us free!

So let the truth be told.  Let it be declared loud and clear this day…the day you read this…the day that you claim your victory!  Speak the truth this day when you take back your thoughts from being held captive by the enemy…this day when you say…no more devil.   

Today I will come and proclaim the Word that empowers and conquers!  The Word that is truth. The Word that is without void. 

We need to continually reinforce the truth, for the truth sets us free!

I stand before every evil force speaking God’s truth at this moment.  One such truth says this…

“Again, I give you an eternal truth: If two of you agree to ask God for something in a symphony of prayer, my heavenly Father will do it for you. For wherever two or three come together in honor of my name, I am right there with them!” Matthew 18:19-20 

Our Heavenly Father is listening intensely and lovingly and desires to come along side us to hear what’s on our minds. 

So I ask you to join me right now in creating an atmosphere for our Father to listen while reading these additional 5 truths that will reinforce and refresh our minds…

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may know what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Romans 12:2

“We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:5‬

“Little children, you can be certain that you belong to God and have conquered them, for the One who is living in you is far greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 

“So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable, and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful, and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always.”  Philippians 4:8

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8

God,

Thank you for Your Word that empowers and encourages us. May we walk with confidence, knowing You are with us and for us! May we keep our thoughts fixed on You much more often, not allowing our minds to wander in areas that they should not go. Holy Spirit, we seek greater discernment. May we ask forgiveness quickly when we stumble. We request for You to guide our thinking. Redirect swiftly when necessary.

Thank you for having us on Your mind. May we begin to have You more on ours.

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