Treasures New and Old

Spiritual Warfare: Putting It All Together

I. We Have and Need to Exercise Kingdom Authority

Spiritual warfare for the Christian is largely a battle of the mind, bringing every thought into captivity and exercising authority over our minds. There are elements to this battle that make it very different than any other kind of warfare we might engage in.

• Our kingdom authority is in Christ: Read Matthew 8:5-13 and consider the centurion.

• Here is perhaps the greatest example of one who understood the principles of authority. It is the only time we have a record of Jesus “marveling” at something or someone because of their insight into an important truth.

• The centurion had men under his command as well as those to whom he was subjected to. He fully understood two important principles about authority that made Jesus marvel:
  • That those under him knew that they had to obey his commands just as he knew that he had to obey those commands given to him under penalty of serious consequences (even death) and
  • That his authority to make and follow such commands did not lie with himself, but with the emperor who was the highest authority figure in the empire.

• Our authority is translated into faith. Jesus turned to his followers (not to the centurion) and equated the centurion’s statement, not as a statement of fact about authority, but one of faith. When the centurion commanded a thing, he fully expected it to be carried out. When he was commanded to obey an order, he fully expected to carry it out.

• Important authority truths to ponder
  
  • Church authority is meant to protect: read 1 Corinthians 5:4-5.

• Even Jesus obeyed the Father – only: read John 8:29-32 and see the example that Jesus set for us.
  

• Authority also means submission: read Hebrews 13:17 and see the example of Christ has given us.
  

• We, as Christians, have been given authority: read Matthew 10:1; Matthew 16:19; Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 17:20-21; Mark 6:7; and Mark 11:23 for verses that describe this truth.
  

• Be a faithful conqueror: read Mark 1:27; 2 Timothy 1:7; Titus 2:15; Revelation 1:6; and Romans 8:37 for encouragement to be a conqueror.
  

• We must exercise authority in Jesus’ name by faith: read John 14:12-14; 1 John 4:4; and Hebrews 11:1.
  

II. Remember the Law of Delight

The principle or law of delight that Paul mentions is a most important law of nature that God has placed in our hearts. It drives our actions. It permeates our thoughts and decisions and can bend us towards either good or evil.

• Romans 7:22 (bold added): “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
  

The law of delight: Paul, by confessing that he delights in God’s Law/Word, has pointed out that we all have those things that we delight in. To the Christian, there needs to be a primary delight that supersedes all others. This doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a hamburger once in a while, but if it means I somehow diminished God’s direction in my life, I will forgo the burger.

• Therefore, permit me to create what I shall call the “law of delight” that demands attention in our lives because it brings gratification at high levels. See Psalm 1:1-3.
  

• Delight: H2656 (Wordsearch’s Strong’s): hepes: “pleasure; hence (abstract) desire; concrete a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind): – acceptable, delight (-some), desire, things desired, matter, pleasant (-ure), purpose, willingly.” Occurs thirty-nine times. See Matthew 6:19-22.
  

• In Matthew 6, Christ ties treasure, your heart, and a single eye all together. The focus on Scripture feeds the inward man, brings delight to the inward man, is seen as treasure to the inward man, and can be laid up as treasure in Heaven.
  

• Time well spent. Time, then, is a commodity that like money can be spent. It can be spent foolishly, or it can be spent wisely. Time spent on temporal things is, indeed, “spent” and gone. Time spent on eternal things is invested time and will return dividends that will compound forever.
  

• How does the law of delight work? The law of delight has a cause and effect factor to it:
  

• • Psalm 37:4 (bold added): “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
    

• • Psalm 37:10-11 (emphasis added): “For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
    

• • Psalm 94:19 (emphasis added): “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
    

• • Isaiah 58:13-14 (emphasis added): “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”
    

• Some principles we can glean regarding the law of delight (and they are like warnings to us if we listen . . .)
  

1. A delight can be good or bad. Beneficial delights may be both eternal and temporal but have good value and results in our lives. Food is a needed delight. Sleep, rest, work, and other activities may be delights of a good nature.

2. What we delight in we will spend capital on. This capital may be our time, may be our efforts, and may be our money.

3. The higher the delight, the bigger the expenditure. Come will spend so much that they can’t afford other things including necessities. Gamblers will neglect the proper feeding of their bodies (and of their family) while spending their gain on betting.

4. When pursuing a delight, we exclude other things. Everything is the result of a choice. When we choose a certain delight, we may be choosing not to do something also that may actually be more important and beneficial for us.

5. Delights have by virtue of being a delight some intrinsic value. This may be either eternal value or temporal value. That value includes some measure of pleasure that we want repeated.

6. Delights that are high value to us demand to be repeated. What we get pleasure in we are drawn to again and again. The higher the pleasure, the more often we wish to repeat it.

7. We become defined by what we delight in. What are you known for? A gamer? A workaholic? A prayer warrior?

• Make your delight God and His Word. Read Psalm 1 and 37 and see what happens when we delight in God’s Word.
  

• What do you delight in?
  
  • Worldly things?
  • Eternal things?
  • What do you spend your capital on?
  • Whom do you seek to please? God, the world, yourself?

III. Another Law in My Members:

Paul points out that there is “another law in my members.” We all suffer with it if we are believers in Christ because we still take around with us the old man (the flesh) and its sinful nature and the new man who wishes to serve Christ. Read Romans 7:22-25.

• Two laws:
  • “The law of my mind” is referring to the spiritual man that is his new creature. This would include all the knowledge that he has accumulated from Scripture including the Law of God.
  • “The law of sin which is in my members”: Here Paul is referring to the sin nature that specifically desires and does disobey God’s Laws. That Old Man who can’t be made new and must one day be thrown off.

• Three enemies: The Bible clearly teaches us that we have three enemy sources that we face every day:
  
  • The world: Read 1 John 2:15.
    
  • The flesh: Read Romans 13:14 and Galatians 5:16-17.
    
  • The devil: Read 1 Timothy 5:15 and 1 Peter 5:8-9.
    

• Things that WILL NOT deliver us from sin:
  
  • The world: with its philosophies, strategies, plans, psychologies, conferences, medications, religions.
    
  • The flesh: selfish notions, self-made man, great educations, financial security, pride.
    
  • The devil: deceiver, liar, destroyer, accuser, adversary, tempter, thief, wicked one, roaring lion.
    
  • Our friends, family and neighbors: they are also bound in the same battle as we are if they are Christians.
  • Only Jesus Christ can deliver us!

• Our greatest battle: mind warfare: summary of different types of “minds” listed in the Bible:

• Reprobate mind (Romans 1:28)
• A mind that seeks after earthly, worldly things (Philippians 3:19)
• Mind that is focused on the flesh (Romans 8:5)
• The carnal mind (Romans 8:7)
• A demon possessed mind (Luke 8:26-35)
• A doubtful mind (Luke 12:29)
• A lustful mind (Ephesians 2:3)
• A vain mind (Ephesians 4:17)
• A defiled mind (Titus 1:15)
• A troubled mind (2 Thessalonians 2:2)
• A proud mind focused on “high things” (Romans 12:16)
• A fearful mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

• The Spirit led mind (Romans 8:27)
• A renewed mind (Roman 12:2)
• A mind that is the same as other saints (Romans 12:16)
• A mind single eyed focused on master Christ (Romans 15:6)
• A fully persuaded mind (Romans 14:5)
• A humble mind (Philippians 2:3)
• A mind that seeks to emulate Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5)
• A fervent mind (2 Corinthians 7:7)
• A willing mind (2 Corinthians 8:12)
• A ready mind (2 Corinthians 8:19)
• A sober mind (1 Peter 1:13)
• A pure mind (Titus 1:15)
• An obedient mind (Titus 3:1)
• A wise mind (Revelation 17:9)
• A sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

• How do we conduct mind warfare? Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.

• • Our weapons are not carnal. That is, they are not flesh based weapons. They are, again, weapons we use in our spirit and in our mind.
    

• • Our weapons are able to help us fight in three fronts (all mind related fronts): (Also see 1 John 2:15-17)
    
    • Pulling down strongholds (lust of the flesh)
    • Casting down imaginations (lust of the eyes)
    • Casting down high things (pride of life)

• • Our weapons are able to help us have victory in three areas (all mind related areas):
    • Bringing into captivity every thought into obedience to Christ
    • Giving us a readiness to avenge (correct, repent from, seek forgiveness, etc.) of our disobediences
    • To fulfill our disobedience to Christ)

• • First: A key component, or weapon if you please, is to not love the world, but to love the Lord Jesus Christ! Read Luke 10:25-28; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30.

• • Second: A key component, or weapon, is to take on the humble mind of Christ! You can’t do it by yourself, you must do so with His help. Read Philippians 2:5-8.

• • Third: A single focus on the Master is required. Read Matthew 6:22-24.

• • Fourth: Where are our minds drawn, and on what do we think about? How do we renew our mind? Read Philippians 4:4-9; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:10-18; Galatians 5:22-25; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23; 1 Peter 5:5-9; Ezekiel 11:5; Hebrews 3:13; 2 Corinthians 3:14; 2 Timothy 3:8; 2 Peter 3:1-2; Matthew 22:37-40; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Proverbs 23:7; Matthew 12:33-35; & Ephesians 2:1-3.

IV. Renewing the Mind

Mind renewal starts with understanding surrender and self-sacrifice to Christ. Romans 12:1-2 (bold added): “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.”

• How do I start that process?
  
  • • Present yourself to Christ daily as a living sacrifice – willing to do His will this day and not your own.
    • Understand that such service is only reasonable as Christ has paid your price for sin and has given you eternal life and His righteousness before the Father.
    • Strive to prove those things that present themselves to you during the day as either worldly, fleshly, evil, or as coming from God as something He wants.
    • As you practice these behaviors, you will find yourself becoming more discerning about your activities and thoughts and God’s peace will witness with your spirit that you are on the right path.

• What is our goal then: To be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ in thought, word, and deed. Consider 2 Corinthians 7:1 and Romans 29-30.

• Here the word conformed is like going through a metamorphosis and can mean jointly formed together (Wordsearch’s Strong’s G4832).

• Clean out the junk and replace it with truth. Do not leave it an empty house! Begin the process of memorizing Scripture to replace worldly, fleshly, and even demonic thoughts and habits. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (bold added): “. . . and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ . . .”

• We reject the thought, but we also need to replace the thought with God’s truth, thus, cleansing our mind.

• Following is a partial list of Scriptures that will help you learn how to wage war and be victorious! Memorize them and say them out loud when you need to.

• Contentment:

1 Timothy 6:6: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

• Humility:

Proverbs 15:33: “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.”

• Patience:

James 1:4: “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

• Peacefulness:

Psalm 55:18: “He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.”

• Strong in the Lord:

Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

Psalm 25:4: “Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.”

• Confidence:

Proverbs 14:26: “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”

• Knowing God’s will:
  

Galatians 1:3-4: “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

• Seeking God:
  

Proverbs 8:17: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”

• Seeking wisdom:
  

James 1:5-6: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

• Stand in power:
  

Luke 10:19: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.“

• Successfulness:
  

Proverbs 16:3: “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” And Psalm 1:1-3.

• Obedience:
  

2 Corinthians 10:5: “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;”

• Ungodly desires/lust:
  

Proverbs 23:3: “Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.”

• Dealing with pride:
  

Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

• When choosing people to associate with:
  

Proverbs 16:19: “Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”

• When spiritually trapped:
  

Psalm 31:5: “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.”

• When facing evil:
  

2 Thessalonians 3:3: “But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.”

• Fearfulness:
  

Romans 8:14-16: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

2 Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

• When feeling weak:
  

2 Corinthians 13:9: “For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.”

• When feeling judgmental:
  

Romans 14:13: “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”

• Trouble making decisions:
  

Proverbs 16:33: “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”

V. Mind Management with Praise and Prayer

Bringing every thought captive takes a serious management approach. Some “management” tools to do this can be found in the following verses which I am using to describe the fifth principle for mind warfare:

Seven principles that we need to understand:

• First: A key component or weapon, if you please, is to not love the world, but to love the Lord Jesus Christ!
• Second: A key component or weapon is to take on the humble mind of Christ! You can’t do it by yourself, you must do so with His help.
• Third: A single focus on the Master is required.
• Fourth: Where are our minds drawn, and on what do we think about? How do we renew our mind?
• Fifth: Think on these things: thought management. Read Philippians 4:4-9 especially verse 8 the “think list”:

• • Whatsoever things are true: God’s word is truth, His testimonies and truth.

• • Whatsoever things are honest: (Strong’s G4586): meaning venerable, honorable, honest, respected, revered, esteemed.

• • Whatsoever things are just: The Greek word here means equitable, righteous, absolute or relative, high character, by implication innocent and holy (Strong’s G1342).

• • Whatsoever things are pure: properly clean, innocent, modest, perfect, chaste, clean, pure” (Wordsearch’s Strong’s G53).

• • Whatsoever things are lovely: (Strong’s G4375) from two Greek words: pro and phileo which means for or towards and friend or brother (Strong’s G4314, G5368). Towards a friend is, therefore, acceptable and seen as lovely.

• • Whatsoever things are of good report: euphemos: a report or testimony or other speech that is well spoken of, is reputable in nature and from a reputable source, trustworthy in content (Strong’s G2163).

• • If there be any virtue: (Strong’s G703) arete: refers to a praiseworthy or virtuous manliness which equates to what we call excellence, valor, distinction, quality, or merit.

• • If there be any praise: (Strong’s G1868): not just praise, this Greek word (Strong’s G1909) has a compound prefix “epi” which can mean many things, but in this case “above or over” and, therefore, a very commendable thing, very laudable object, act, or statement. Of highest praise.

• • Some additional admonitions to help you in this battle of the mind: Read 1 Peter 5:5-9 which includes: (1) submit yourselves unto the elder, (2) be subject one to another, (3) be clothed with humility, (4) Casting all your care upon him, (5) be sober, (6) be vigilant (regarding your thoughts), and (7) resist steadfast in the faith.

• • Also read and consider Hebrews 3:13; 2 Corinthians 3:14; and Ephesians 5:26-27. God’s Word is specifically designed to cleanse your heart and mind as you become conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

• Sixth: Using praise and prayer: praise occurs 248 times in the Bible (Strong’s). God set ambushments against the enemy when men praised.
  • Here are just a few verses regarding praise: Psalm 7:17; Psalm 9:1; Psalm 9:2; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 34:1; Psalm 42:5: Isaiah 42:10; Isaiah 61:3; Romans 15:11; 2 Chronicles 20:21-22.
  • Pray and prayer occurs 894 times in the Bible:
    • Pray 313 times
      
    • Seek 244 times
    • Prayer 114 times
    • Ask 109 times
    • Cry out 15 times
    • Supplication(s) 60 times
    • Praying 20 times
    • Request 19 times

• Some prayer/praise verses to consider: Luke 6:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23; Ephesians 6:18; Luke 6:28; John 16:26; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Philippians 1:9; Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 1 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 13:18; James 5:13; and Matthew 6:5-15.
  

• Let’s do a recap:
  • Rejoice evermore
  • Pray without ceasing
  • Give thanks in everything
  • Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good
  • Abstain from evil and evil thoughts
  • Set ambushes for the enemy of your soul by memorizing Scripture
    

VI. Offensive and Defensive Thought Warfare

• Seventh: principle of mind warfare is to put on the armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18. Let’s dissect the warfare armor as it relates to mind warfare. Note that the armor includes both defensive and offensive gear.

• • “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” We do not have within ourselves the power, the dynamite, to do so alone. So, mind warfare starts with being strong in the Lord and empowered by Him.

• • “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” In the case of mind warfare, we are talking about wiles that are lies, deceptions, accusations, temptations, insults, and other mind related “fiery darts” of Satan. Wiles are any attempt to corrupt your mind.

• • “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the ruler of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Our battle in the mind is not fleshly; our battle is for truth, specifically God’s truth, and we must guard against all outside sources that may appear as our own. But if they do not conform to God’s words, then reject them quickly and replace them with God’s truth.

• • “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Two things: (1) that there will be “evil days”, and (2) that we need to be able to stand (be established, be set in your resolve, covenant to abide in Christ and to not falter). It is important that you drill and practice your skills, that you prepare your strategies, that you build that spiritual memory muscle.

• • “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,” We need a spiritual Kevlar covering under our uniform. Our loins are protected by God’s Word, His truth. In areas where you are most vulnerable is where you need verses to counter the lies and attacks of the enemy and quote the truth as the attack forms.

• • Put “on the breastplate of righteousness;” The breastplate covers the front of your body. Spiritually, it represents covering as you face the enemy, not while running from an attack. Righteousness refers to the justification that we have received in Christ and only with Christ’s righteousness.

• • Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; The ancient soldier wore shoes that guarded his feet. The Greek means having underbound the feet (Strong’s G5265); it includes two parts: (1) the sandals or shoes which covered the feet and were fitted with nails or spikes to make their hold firm in the ground; and (2) greaves that were fitted to the legs and designed to defend them from any danger. We are also to have prepared ourselves with the gospel of peace as part of our protection and to bind the enemy with truth when he attacks.

• • “Taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Faith is the victory that overcomes the world – and our mind battles as we live from faith to faith and increase in our faith. The just shall live by faith.

• • “Take the helmet of salvation,” 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10: “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”

• • “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Our main offensive weapon is God’s Word. We memorize and meditate on God’s Word and it becomes the best weapon we have to both reject wrong thinking and replace it with right thinking.

• • “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,” All prayer is a state of mind that we need to be in constantly. “Pray without ceasing.” Talk often to the Father. As you pray for others, you are also turning your mind from self to others which is a good way to learn to deny the flesh. Read Ephesians 2:1-3.

• • “Watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” We are to be watchman and that is especially true regarding what we allow to pass through our minds. We are to remain vigilant and even when things seem desperate, when we slip and fail, we don’t give up; we ask God to forgive and strengthen, and we go on.

VII. Mind Warfare Thoughts/Warnings

Actions we need to take as we learn to manage and control our thoughts and win the warfare of the mind.

• Review of the seven principles of mind warfare:

• • First: A key component or weapon, if you please, is to not love the world, but to love the Lord Jesus Christ!
  • Second: A key component or weapon is to take on the humble mind of Christ! You can’t do it by yourself, you must do so with His help.
  • Third: A single focus on the Master is required.
  • Fourth: Where are our minds drawn, and on what do we think about? How do we renew our mind?
  • Fifth: Think on these things: thought management
  • Sixth: Praise and prayer
  • Seventh: The armor and resistance

• Review of the law of delight

1. 1. A delight can be good or bad.
   2. What we delight in, we will spend capital on.
   3. The higher the delight, the bigger the expenditure.
   4. When pursuing a delight, we exclude other things.
   5. Delights have, by virtue of being a delight, some intrinsic value.
   6. Delights that are high value to us demand to be repeated.
   7. We become defined by others by what we delight in.

• Review the nine elements of mind warfare

1. 1. Mind warfare is an act of love for God
   2. Mind warfare is an act of faith
   3. Mind warfare victory is found in clinging to Christ
   4. Mind warfare needs a single master focus
   5. Remember the mind warfare weapons of praise and prayer
   6. Mind warfare uses praise and prayer: two important tools in our weapon box for fighting the mind battle
   7. Mind warfare means mind renewing and mind management
   8. Mind warfare armor and resistance
   9. Mind warfare victory of defeat – choose you this day

• Have a plan to memorize and meditate on God’s Word. Review Article #8 on memory verses. Here is a brief summary of the main topics:

• • LOVE: 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.“
  • WISDOM: James 3:17: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
  • FAITH: Romans 1:17: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.”

• Know and practice the seven steps of meditation. Meditation on Scripture is so totally different than the way the world meditates.

• Memorize: Meditation starts with memorizing the verse you wish to meditate on.

• Emphasize: Once memorized, try repeating the verse with an emphasis on each individual word. For example:

• • The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
  • THE Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
  • The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
  • The Lord IS my shepherd, I shall not want.
  • The Lord is MY shepherd, I shall not want.
  • The Lord is my SHEPHERD, I shall not want.
  • The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
  • The Lord is my shepherd, I SHALL not want.
  • The Lord is my shepherd, I shall NOT want.
  • The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not WANT.

• Investigate: If need be, look up any difficult words and learn their original meanings using a Hebrew-Greek dictionary. Strong’s is a good one and fairly inexpensive tool to use.

• Personalize: If the verse is third person or otherwise not “personal”, relearn the verse in the first person and make it personal. Example:
  • Romans 6:1-2: What shall I say then? Shall I continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall I that am dead to sin, live any longer therein?

• Practice: Practice out loud with a friend. I always remember verses I practiced out loud much easier than those I memorized in my thoughts.

• Harmonize: If the verse lends itself to a song meter, set the verse/verses to a melodious tune. Verses I have learned that way I remember far longer.

• Refresh: Always do a refresh occasionally so that it becomes part of the very fiber of your heart (mind and spirit). Long and difficult sections may need refresher repeats more often than short phrases or verses.

• Memorizing specific verses to defeat sin habits

• • We all have areas of weakness that need shoring up in our personal and in our thought life. I would encourage you to find specific verses that counter directly any area of weakness or sin habit you are trying to overcome. Always start with prayer and ask God to show you some specific verses that you can memorize, meditate on, and call out when tempted.

• Some really good sections of Scripture to memorize

• • There are so many good Scripture sections to memorize. For example: all of Psalm 1, the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, Philippians 4 think list, and 1 Thessalonians 5 “rejoice evermore” list. But one section I encourage everyone to memorize, especially young men, is Romans 6 and personalize it.

• • Some additional verses one might memorize and internalize: Exodus 20:14; Psalm 101:2-3; Matthew 5:28; 1 Corinthians 6:13; 2 Timothy 2:22; Proverbs 6:25; 1 John 2:16; Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:6; and James 1:14-15.

VIII. Are We Stewards of Our Own Mind?

• Garbage in – garbage out. What we fill our minds with will be how we think and how we filter the many influences, communications, information, and even our standards and character. Ask yourself a few questions:

• Are you faithful? 1 Corinthians 4:1-2: “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

• • STEWARD: (Wordsearch’s Strong’s G3623): oikonomos: governor, steward, stewardship; [total count: 10 – steward 8, chamberlain 1, governor 1]: “from <G3624> (oikos) [house or home] and the base of <G3551> (nomos) [law-authority]; a house distributor (that is, manager), or overseer, that is, an employee in that capacity; by extension a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively a preacher (of the Gospel): -chamberlain, governor, steward.” Someone entrusted with a talent/gift and the oversight of that talent/gift.
  • FAITHFUL: (Wordsearch’s Strong’s G4103): pistos: faithful, faithfully; faithful 53, believe 6; “from <G3982> (peitho); object trustworthy; trustful :- believe, faithful, sure, true.”

• Are You Focused?
  • The strength of a single mind/heart: 1 Chronicles 12:33 and Psalm 12:2
  • The danger of being double-minded: James 1:8 and James 4:8
  • The product of a single mind: faithful steward’s is focused on laying up treasure for the Master: Matthew 6:19-24

• Two ways to live: Luke 16:1: Singlemindedness: Hate one (Satan and the world) and love the other (God and Jesus). Doublemindedness: Hold to one (God and Jesus) and despise the other (sin and the world).
  

• Are you firm in your faith?
  
  • We are called to be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might. Consider the following verses: 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 2:1-13, Ephesians 6:14, Philippians 4:1; and 2 Thessalonians 2:15.

• Do you let the mind of Christ dwell in you richly? looking at Philippians 2:1-11 we see a pattern of how our mind ought to be focused.
  

• • Be likeminded: “Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2). Also Romans 12:2; Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Romans 15:6; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 3:16; and Philippians 4:2.

• • Be low-minded: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). Also Acts 20:19; 1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Colossians 3:12; Philippians 2:3; and 1 Peter 4:1.

• • Be love-minded: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). Also 2 Corinthians 7:7; Philippians 2:2; and 2 Timothy 1:7.

• • Be logos-minded: “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power” (Luke 4:32). Also Hebrews 8:10; Ephesians 4:23; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 3:8; and 1 Peter 5:2.

• • Reject the “lost”-mind: “They that are of a forward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight” (Proverbs 11:20). Also Titus 1:15; Romans 8:5; and Romans 8:7.

• • Do you remember these truths: When our mind is in idle, that is, not specifically focused on a task, a book, conversation, etc. where does it roam? When we are in “idle mode” we are most vulnerable to be mentally attacked by the enemy of our soul which, by the way, includes our own carnal flesh.

• • Practice the Philippians 4 “think list”.
    

• • Remember: Garbage in – garbage out; therefore, keep your mind pure.
    

• • Prepare: We are in a spiritual battle. We lose control or ground in our souls to the enemy if we are not prepared to do battle.
    

• • Drill: We have been issued mighty weapons. Do you know where the battle is fought? The battle is fought in the ground of our thoughts. Therefore, drill using your weapons.
    

• • Surrender: Every day must start with surrender to Jesus. Practice Romans 12:1-2 daily.
    

IX. Part of “All Prayer” – Binding and Loosing

The concept of binding and loosing is taught in the Bible. Consider these verses:

• • Matthew 16:19: “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.“

• • Matthew 18:18: “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.“

• • Galatians 1:8-9: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

• • Binding as part of warfare: Binding is like a spiritual handcuff. You cannot bind a person’s free will, but you can bind any demons affecting or influencing that person.

• • Binding is a powerful witnessing tool: What keeps a person from accepting Jesus? The god of this world, Satan, has blinded their minds from the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus gave us the example of binding the strong man so that his house can be plundered (Mark 3:27).

• • Loosing as part of warfare: Loosing, like binding, can be done here on earth and takes effect in the spiritual realm. Loosing, however, refers to the loosing of a captive or person in bondage.

Binding and loosing as part of our own mind warfare. Part of our mental battle is to remove darkness from our thinking and ourselves and replace it with God’s light, His truth. Consider this verse carfully:

Luke 11:36 (emphasis added): “If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.”

Don’t forget the hedges: Hedges are a way to loose someone from Satanic influence. God declared that a hedge of thorns creates a wall that stops someone from getting evil benefits and from enjoying their sin. Protective hedges place our loved ones in a spiritual protective wall.

X. Learn to Break Sin Cycles in Life

God’s design is both wonderfully mathematical and filled with precise cycles. Cycles are found in nature as well as in our private and public lives. Understanding cycles may go a long way in helping us conquer sin as well as avoid sin patterns and opportunities in our future as we continue on this journey of being sanctified in Christ.

Types of Cyles:

• Universe/creation cycles
• Prophetic cycles
• Earth related cycles
• Human cycles
• Ceremonial cycles
• Business/government cycles
• Depression cycles
• Sin cycles

• • Personal sin cycle:
  • Annual/seasonal/location sin cycles: When a sin habit is the strongest
    
    • Certain movies/shows entice us to sin
    • Locations (bars, certain stores, certain magazine counters, certain friends’ houses, business trips, various outings, etc.
    • Several days of sin in May, for example, will, without your thinking of it, produce very strong temptations in May possibly every year.
    • Circumstances that appear similar to a sin you participated in will provide strong temptations to repeat.
  • Reticular motion activation: When something we have focused on with some excitement causes us to see in our environment those same or similar things from now on. Example: research a particular kind of car, and all of a sudden that car type seems to be all over the place. Engage in a particular sin and where, when, how, etc. can become triggers to tempt you to sin again.

• Sin Cycle as drawn from James 1:13-14:
  • 1. Distraction (drawn away)
  • 2. Seduction (enticed)
  • 3. Conception (conceived)
  • 4. Action (bringeth forth sin)
  • 5. Death/Destruction (bringeth forth death) Note: Death comes in many forms: death of your body, your conscience, your mental facilities, body organs – as in drug usage, and your spiritual discernment, for example.

• Distraction (drawn way – exelko – drag forth (Strong’s G1828)):
  • Know that Satan almost always starts with a distraction:
  • Know that there is a crown of life awaiting those who endure and conquer temptation.
  • Know that God always gives a way of escape: 1 Corinthians 10:13
  • Know that Jesus Christ has provided deliverance – we must take hold of it: Luke 4:18-19

• Seduction (enticed – deleazo – to entrap, allure, beguile (Strong’s G1185))
  
  • Know that sin and Satan design their attacks to entrap you: Exodus 23:33:
  • Know that when we make “covenants” with sin/compromise as we dwell on something (action, thing, and person) and, thus, ensnare ourselves: Exodus 34:12
  • Know that when we emotionally sympathize with or desire, or discount the danger of a sinful thing, we are laying a snare for oursleves: Deuteronomy 7:16:

• Conception (conceived – syllambano – clasp, seize, conceive, catch, take capture (Strong’s G4815))
  
  • Know that dwelling on sin is the first sign that you are about to be captured.
  • Know that repeating a sin requires stepping over the warnings of the Holy Spirit: Ephesians 4:30
  • Know that sin exacts a great cost to your soul and relationship with God: Hebrews 11:25
  • Know that sin grieves the Holy Spirit and sears our conscience: 1 Timothy 4:2

• Action (bringeth forth sin – tikto-hamertia – bear, be born, bring forth, be delivered, be in travail; (Strong’s G5088); sin ( Strong’s G266))
  
  • Know that habitual sin will eventually cause you to try and trap others in your sin to help justify your sin: Romans 1:32
  • Know that sin will quickly control you if you don’t eliminate it from your life. Psalm 106:36
  • Know that continuing in sin is actually getting you into serious bondage: Galatians 5:1
  • Know that sin will have a payday (not good) and that God does not “wink” at our sin: Galatians 6:7-8

• Death/Destruction (bringeth forth death) – apokueo – thanatos – to breed forth, beget, bring forth; (Strong’s G616); death (Strong’s G2288)
  
  • Know that sin may seem “harmless” and doesn’t affect anyone else, but don’t be deceived, sin slowly kills. “Sin when it is finished.”
  • Know that sin’s final payday in your life is death of some kind. “Bringeth forth death.”

• Breaking the sin cycle: The sin cycle has five elements. This article section will discuss principles and observations I have made to help us break the sin cycle.

• • Principle #1: You are at war with the old man: Romans 7:14-25
  • Principle #2: You cannot win this fight alone: James 4:1-10
  • Principle #3: God always provides a way of escape if we will take it: Psalm 91:3; Psalm 119:110; Psalm 124:72; 2 Timothy 2:26; and Mark 1:35
  • Observation #1: Saying the Scripture and doing the Scripture are not the same. We are to be doers of the Word and not hearers (and speakers) only. Romans 2:13; James 1:22, and Ephesians 6:10-18
  • Observation #2: Learning the ways of the world will one day ensnare us: Proverbs 22:25; Zechariah 1:4; and James 4:4
  • Observation #3: Doublemindedness will result in failure: James 1:8; James 4:8; and Romans 8:7

• Things I can do to drill before the battle
  • Memorize Romans 6 and then personalize it. Practice it often.
    
  • Purpose to bind those areas in your life that need to be defeated: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are good starts.
  • Loose areas of your life to allow the entrance of God’s Word, His light, into your life. Include things like the following;
    • Reading and visual material
    • Associations
    • Activities
    • Career
    • Life partner or single
    • Fellowship with the saints
    • Commitments, vows

This concludes the twelve articles on mind warfare. There has been some duplication, but repeating things helps us to remember them better. It is my sincere hope that this set of articles has been beneficial in your journey with Christ as He conforms you more and more into His image.

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe

References

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

Strong, J. Strong’s Talking Greek_Hebrew Dictionary. Wordsearch. (2020). Wordsearch Bible. [computer software] . Nashville, TN: LifeWay Christian Resources. (Original work published 1890).

Privacy Policy