Winning the battle in our thought life. Is it even possible?

[gideons300]

(This bulk of this post was a response in a post about a specific sin, but as it applies to anyone whi battles in their thought life, I hoped it might bless someome. At least that is my prayer)

We are told in God's word that we are not to be ignorant of satan's devices, amen? This truth I am about to share, I have found personally to work in my own thoguth realm, and I was bound by lustful thoughts for 36 years of my Christian walk. It works. It will do the same for you, and will set you free in your thought realm, if you battle constantly with impure thoughts or with feelings of condemnation in your Christian walk, no matter how bound, no matter how weak you may be. I have been a believer for almost 40 years, but it took a supernatural visitation in an hour of complete desperation on my part three years ago to show me how I had been giving satan the high ground, and as a result, living under the weight of guilt and condemnation that paralyzed my faith and made my walk one of misery rather than real genuine joy.


In Revelation 12, we are told that the believers overcame "by the blood of the lamb AND the word of their testimony".

The blood of the lamb, no matter how powerful, cannot deliver us until we apply it by faith to ourselves. Who are we in Christ? What does God say? Are we old men, just sinners saved by grace, doomed to a life of defeat, struggle and giving in to temptations? Is this "the glorious liberty of the children of God"? No! We are told in no uncertain terms that we are new creatures, with that old man, our rebellious flesh crucified with Him, and for far too long, we have bought the lies of our enemy and listened to his voice whispering "Hath God said...."


Here is one of the tactics of the enemy I learned in my own battles. The thoughts we hear in our heads are very often not our thoughts at all, but arrows from satan, hoping to get us to "bite" and take ownership of them. They may sound like our thoughts, feel like our thoughts but make no mistake, they come from the enemy of our soul.

We are told that we are to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. So, what does our God testify about us?

Does He not say that "Now we are light in the Lord"? Is this changed when we slip and fall, or are weak and battered? No, it is divine truth. NOW. So it is at this point that we are to stand fast on what the word says and resist satan, not with human resolve or willpower. but with TRUTH, for it is only as we do this, believing that we truly are set free as new creatures, that we can actually be empowered to then "Walk as children of light." The order in God's kingdom is always "Be and you shall do" not "Do and you shall be."


Let us understand, this is perhaps the most successful tactic satan uses to trip us up, and is especially effective in thoughts we have about ourselves. We know that satan is called "the accuser of the brethren". But what we often do not understand is that often he accuses us in our own minds but with a nasty and very effective slant. He plants that accusatory thought in our heads, in our voice, and uses the word "I". "I am such a hopeless case" or "I can never get the victory", or "I am a crummy Christian". Sounds like us. Feels like us. Must be us, right? Wrong.

Do you see? It is then, immediately that we must hold up our shield of faith in His promises, His truths, and stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set us free. This is how we are to take captive everry thought and bring it into the obedience of Christ.


The wall of God's promises and God's truths about us must encircle our minds.

Now we are light in the Lord.

I am no longer in the flesh but in the spirit.

I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.

I am the rigtheousness of God in Christ.

If I walk in the spirit, I WILL NOT fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

I owe the flesh NOTHING.

These truths become the shield of faith that will protect our minds from buying into the lies our enemy continually throws at us. And the promise we are given is this: If we will, even in our frailty and weakness, cling to these amazing strong promises of God, every single arrow shot at us by the enemy of our soul will be quenched, and NO weapon formed against us shall prosper. Amen.

May God's people arise from the ashes and awake to the righteousness that is their birthright. May we "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" as faith comes alive in our hearts that we serve a God who has promised to keep us from falling.


Blessings to all.

Bruce

 

[jwaitman]

- typically I don't read long posts, but this one is good.

Winning the battle in our thought life. Is it even possible?

My first thought after reading the title was: yes - as surely as turning on the light overcomes the darkness, Words overcome Thoughts. I know that this is easy enough to grasp, but it is perhaps the most significant & challenging battle in a Christians life. Reading your post was a delight, & I couldn't find a single point to argue.

The order in God's kingdom is always "Be and you shall do" not "Do and you shall be."

Very nicely stated

 

[gideons300]

- typically I don't read long posts, but this one is good.
My first thought after reading the title was: yes - as surely as turning on the light overcomes the darkness, Words overcome Thoughts. I know that this is easy enough to grasp, but it is perhaps the most significant & challenging battle in a Christians life. Reading your post was a delight, & I couldn't find a single point to argue.
Very nicely stated

Thanks so much for the kind comments. Now if we can just get people to realize they are in a battle, they can then believe they can win it.

Blessings,

Bruce

 

[Christsfreeservant]

(This bulk of this post was a response in a post about a specific sin, but as it applies to anyone whi battles in their thought life, I hoped it might bless someome. At least that is my prayer)

We are told in God's word that we are not to be ignorant of satan's devices, amen? This truth I am about to share, I have found personally to work in my own thoguth realm, and I was bound by lustful thoughts for 36 years of my Christian walk. It works. It will do the same for you, and will set you free in your thought realm, if you battle constantly with impure thoughts or with feelings of condemnation in your Christian walk, no matter how bound, no matter how weak you may be. I have been a believer for almost 40 years, but it took a supernatural visitation in an hour of complete desperation on my part three years ago to show me how I had been giving satan the high ground, and as a result, living under the weight of guilt and condemnation that paralyzed my faith and made my walk one of misery rather than real genuine joy.


In Revelation 12, we are told that the believers overcame "by the blood of the lamb AND the word of their testimony".

The blood of the lamb, no matter how powerful, cannot deliver us until we apply it by faith to ourselves. Who are we in Christ? What does God say? Are we old men, just sinners saved by grace, doomed to a life of defeat, struggle and giving in to temptations? Is this "the glorious liberty of the children of God"? No! We are told in no uncertain terms that we are new creatures, with that old man, our rebellious flesh crucified with Him, and for far too long, we have bought the lies of our enemy and listened to his voice whispering "Hath God said...."


Here is one of the tactics of the enemy I learned in my own battles. The thoughts we hear in our heads are very often not our thoughts at all, but arrows from satan, hoping to get us to "bite" and take ownership of them. They may sound like our thoughts, feel like our thoughts but make no mistake, they come from the enemy of our soul.

We are told that we are to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. So, what does our God testify about us?

Does He not say that "Now we are light in the Lord"? Is this changed when we slip and fall, or are weak and battered? No, it is divine truth. NOW. So it is at this point that we are to stand fast on what the word says and resist satan, not with human resolve or willpower. but with TRUTH, for it is only as we do this, believing that we truly are set free as new creatures, that we can actually be empowered to then "Walk as children of light." The order in God's kingdom is always "Be and you shall do" not "Do and you shall be."


Let us understand, this is perhaps the most successful tactic satan uses to trip us up, and is especially effective in thoughts we have about ourselves. We know that satan is called "the accuser of the brethren". But what we often do not understand is that often he accuses us in our own minds but with a nasty and very effective slant. He plants that accusatory thought in our heads, in our voice, and uses the word "I". "I am such a hopeless case" or "I can never get the victory", or "I am a crummy Christian". Sounds like us. Feels like us. Must be us, right? Wrong.

Do you see? It is then, immediately that we must hold up our shield of faith in His promises, His truths, and stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set us free. This is how we are to take captive everry thought and bring it into the obedience of Christ.


The wall of God's promises and God's truths about us must encircle our minds.

Now we are light in the Lord.

I am no longer in the flesh but in the spirit.

I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.

I am the rigtheousness of God in Christ.

If I walk in the spirit, I WILL NOT fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

I owe the flesh NOTHING.

These truths become the shield of faith that will protect our minds from buying into the lies our enemy continually throws at us. And the promise we are given is this: If we will, even in our frailty and weakness, cling to these amazing strong promises of God, every single arrow shot at us by the enemy of our soul will be quenched, and NO weapon formed against us shall prosper. Amen.

May God's people arise from the ashes and awake to the righteousness that is their birthright. May we "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" as faith comes alive in our hearts that we serve a God who has promised to keep us from falling.


Blessings to all.

Bruce

Amen!

 

[razzelflabben]

Can I add a bit of our own story and battle?

I have spent the biggest chunk of my life learning to hold to truth and discard the lies of Satan. I admit I still struggle with this in some areas, areas in which I have been taught my entire life X but Jesus says Y. Then came June 19 th 2010. We were at a graduation party, the kids were playing and swimming. Long story made real short, our 18 year old son died that day, in a swimming accident. We watched as they looked for him (my husband helping look) we watched as they pulled his lifeless, blue body from the water and tried to revive him without success. The memories and visions of that day, were haunting us, slowly killing us, we couldn't rid ourselves of the painful moments that felt like hours.

So, we began to apply biblical truth. The first thing we did, was hold our thoughts captive. Instead of allowing our thoughts to escalate, we took control of them. That way, they couldn't take control of us. Next, we turned those thoughts into thoughts that edified, that strengthened, the good things. Sometimes those were beautiful thoughts of the good times we had with our son, sometimes it was the things of God. But we refused to allow our thoughts to dwell on those few moments, and instead put our effort into remembering the good. Finally, we sought to find God in every minute, we would accept and acknowledge that we felt...guilty for letting them swim that day, and in that guilt, remind ourselves that Jesus came to take away our guilt, that He gave His very life that we would be free from the guilt. Every day we purposed to follow scripture and though we still have moments and days of struggle, even when evil things are said, for the purpose of inflicting more pain, we find victory and grace and love and mercy in the truths of the Word of God and the comfort and strength we need at the feet of our Precious Jesus.

We have a friend I think could benefit from your post, do you mind if we share it with him?

 

[Christsfreeservant]

Can I add a bit of our own story and battle?

I have spent the biggest chunk of my life learning to hold to truth and discard the lies of Satan. I admit I still struggle with this in some areas, areas in which I have been taught my entire life X but Jesus says Y. Then came June 19 th 2010. We were at a graduation party, the kids were playing and swimming. Long story made real short, our 18 year old son died that day, in a swimming accident. We watched as they looked for him (my husband helping look) we watched as they pulled his lifeless, blue body from the water and tried to revive him without success. The memories and visions of that day, were haunting us, slowly killing us, we couldn't rid ourselves of the painful moments that felt like hours.

So, we began to apply biblical truth. The first thing we did, was hold our thoughts captive. Instead of allowing our thoughts to escalate, we took control of them. That way, they couldn't take control of us. Next, we turned those thoughts into thoughts that edified, that strengthened, the good things. Sometimes those were beautiful thoughts of the good times we had with our son, sometimes it was the things of God. But we refused to allow our thoughts to dwell on those few moments, and instead put our effort into remembering the good. Finally, we sought to find God in every minute, we would accept and acknowledge that we felt...guilty for letting them swim that day, and in that guilt, remind ourselves that Jesus came to take away our guilt, that He gave His very life that we would be free from the guilt. Every day we purposed to follow scripture and though we still have moments and days of struggle, even when evil things are said, for the purpose of inflicting more pain, we find victory and grace and love and mercy in the truths of the Word of God and the comfort and strength we need at the feet of our Precious Jesus.

We have a friend I think could benefit from your post, do you mind if we share it with him?

Thank you for sharing that! My heart is broken at your loss, but I rejoice in the victory that is yours in Christ Jesus, our Lord! Lord Jesus, fill these parents today with your peace that passes all understanding, and give them the strength they need for each new day. In Jesus' name I pray, amen!

 

[razzelflabben]

Thank you for sharing that! My heart is broken at your loss, but I rejoice in the victory that is yours in Christ Jesus, our Lord! Lord Jesus, fill these parents today with your peace that passes all understanding, and give them the strength they need for each new day. In Jesus' name I pray, amen!

Thanks, if you are so led, I would so appreciate prayer for one of our other sons, he and the one that died were extremely close, right after the funeral, he left for Afganastan. He is a Navy corpsman attached to a Marine unit. The unit has a very dangerous job, and we can't even contact him, the last we really heard from him was the end of Oct, with a quick, business related word occasionally on facebook. Thanks...

 

[Christsfreeservant]

Thanks, if you are so led, I would so appreciate prayer for one of our other sons, he and the one that died were extremely close, right after the funeral, he left for Afganastan. He is a Navy corpsman attached to a Marine unit. The unit has a very dangerous job, and we can't even contact him, the last we really heard from him was the end of Oct, with a quick, business related word occasionally on facebook. Thanks...

Ok, I will pray now. Dear Lord Jesus, I pray for this young man right now who is in military service in Afghanistan. I pray for his safe keeping in Jesus' name and I pray for him to know you in all your fulness and all your mercy. In Jesus' name I pray these things. Amen!

I empathize with you. I have a son who has had 3 tours of duty now - 1 to Iraq and two to Afghanistan. He is married and has 2 children and another on the way in April and he is slotted to go back to Afghanistan again in October, I believe.

 

[gideons300]

Can I add a bit of our own story and battle?

I have spent the biggest chunk of my life learning to hold to truth and discard the lies of Satan. I admit I still struggle with this in some areas, areas in which I have been taught my entire life X but Jesus says Y. Then came June 19 th 2010. We were at a graduation party, the kids were playing and swimming. Long story made real short, our 18 year old son died that day, in a swimming accident. We watched as they looked for him (my husband helping look) we watched as they pulled his lifeless, blue body from the water and tried to revive him without success. The memories and visions of that day, were haunting us, slowly killing us, we couldn't rid ourselves of the painful moments that felt like hours.

So, we began to apply biblical truth. The first thing we did, was hold our thoughts captive. Instead of allowing our thoughts to escalate, we took control of them. That way, they couldn't take control of us. Next, we turned those thoughts into thoughts that edified, that strengthened, the good things. Sometimes those were beautiful thoughts of the good times we had with our son, sometimes it was the things of God. But we refused to allow our thoughts to dwell on those few moments, and instead put our effort into remembering the good. Finally, we sought to find God in every minute, we would accept and acknowledge that we felt...guilty for letting them swim that day, and in that guilt, remind ourselves that Jesus came to take away our guilt, that He gave His very life that we would be free from the guilt. Every day we purposed to follow scripture and though we still have moments and days of struggle, even when evil things are said, for the purpose of inflicting more pain, we find victory and grace and love and mercy in the truths of the Word of God and the comfort and strength we need at the feet of our Precious Jesus.

We have a friend I think could benefit from your post, do you mind if we share it with him?

My dead Razzel, of course I would not mind that you shared what God has so graciously and undeservedly shared with me. May the truth that set us free do its work in your friend as well.

I do not mean to be forward, but if you feel your friend might benefit from more insights into this truth of the practical benefits of the shield of faith, feel free to PM me and I will give you my e0mail address.

How my heart broke for you. Losing a child has to be the worst pain ever, especially at such a young age. It makes me realize how much it hurt our Father to send His Son to suffer and die for us, and how we have reacted to such an amazing gift.

May God keep your hearts and minds by the love of Christ.

Blessings,

Bruce

 

[razzelflabben]

My dead Razzel, of course I would not mind that you shared what God has so graciously and undeservedly shared with me. May the truth that set us free do its work in your friend as well.

I do not mean to be forward, but if you feel your friend might benefit from more insights into this truth of the practical benefits of the shield of faith, feel free to PM me and I will give you my e0mail address.

How my heart broke for you. Losing a child has to be the worst pain ever, especially at such a young age. It makes me realize how much it hurt our Father to send His Son to suffer and die for us, and how we have reacted to such an amazing gift.

May God keep your hearts and minds by the love of Christ.

Blessings,

Bruce

I'll let you know, it's kind of a touchy issue with our friend at the moment, I think the Lord is convicting him and he isn't quite sure how to handle it....long story....

I know it is hard to understand but our sorrow over loosing our son, in a very small way, gives us a better understanding of God's suffering in sending Jesus to us. It's not the same by a long stretch, but it does give us a better understanding.

It's also hard for people to grasp how painful it is to have another son at war right now. The thought that we might bury two of our children in a years time, is a difficult one to shake. On top of that we don't know how our eldest son is handling the lose of his brother and best friend. You see, he is the closest thing to a resident counselor they have had, I'm assuming that they still do have. So who is there for him? Who cries with him, comforts him? He's a risk taker anyway, so who keeps him in check when the grief washes over him. We are trying to trust God with even this, and using the techniques God has taught, but it is a great battle still, one that is won one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time. But that is the point isn't it? Isn't the point that we are always striving to keep our focus on God and not on self?

May we all learn to listen to the Spirit, may we learn to hear His voice, may we learn to love Him with even a fraction of the love He has for us.

 

[EvanT]

Bruce, awesome post. Thanks for sharing.

razzelflabben, sorry for your loss. Will pray.