Why is our mind like a battleground? Not only are we faced with our own intruding thoughts but also the influence of the world around us and the spiritual forces at work in the unseen spiritual realm.
The bible teaches us that we are targets for spiritual attack and we must train ourselves and be prepared for facing the lies of the devil. Scripture makes it plain that he roams the earth looking for someone to devour.
So we are encourage to be sober-minded, and watchful.
1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
So, what does it mean to be “sober-minded” and “watchful?”
Well, I think it means a few things.
First, we have to be intentional with our thought life. One of the biggest lies we can let creep in is that we cannot control our minds or our thoughts. This half truth is a scheme of the devil that so often keeps us from living the courageous life we are called to.
We are in fact going to be held responsible for our lives at the end of time before the great white throne. It’s this responsibility that we must take seriously given that we will be held accountable one day in the future.
So what do we do?
First, we prepare our minds with the truth and we fill our minds with the truth.
Consider 2 Corinthians 10:3-5:
“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.”
and don’t forget about Ephesians 6:12:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
We cannot sleep walk into the battle that we are faced with every day.
Are you weary? Tired of the attacks? Jesus offers you refuge. Don’t forget that he called you to lay your burden down before Him and to take up His yoke.
Second, replace the thoughts no matter how numerous they are with what is right and pure. This gets a lot of clients. If we are not self-aware or mindful of our thought life, we struggle to see what is taking place within us. So, consider journalling your thoughts out as much as possible and take stock of those thoughts. Talk them through with a coach or mentor and unpack the themes and rhythms you are consistently facing.
Obsessing over your thought life and your “inability” to change things is not the goal here. Too often, if we are not careful, we can let a victim mentality creep in and it too can become a strong hold for the devil.
Don’t discount Ephesians 6 and the illustration we see regarding being equipped for battle by wearing the whole armor of God.
Consider Ephesians 6:13:
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
This chapter is excellent for illustrating the effort and the intentional acts of equipping ourselves for battle with the tools in which God has given us.
All of this requires a deliberate sober-mindedness, and intentional watchfulness.
Have you let yourself drift? How mindful and intentional have you been in your spiritual life? Have you considered what you dwell on any given day?
Consider Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
The peace of God will be with you…
Wow, it’s time to tap into that. Take the steps you need to rearrange your thought life and invite the holy spirit in to transform what you dwell on. Feel weak? Offer it up to Him. Need help surrendering? Cry out to Him! He will meet you where you are!