This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Refined Focus”. I shared with you yesterday the definition of the word focus is: a central point of concentration. I told you that your mind is always working and that if uncontrolled, thoughts can flood your mind continually. Today’s message flows in that same vein and I will discuss thoughts and how thoughts can lead to strongholds. This is a key concept to understand as we attempt to give God our attention and focus.
Paul said, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) 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” (2 Cor 10: 3-5). I will highlight three words from Paul’s statement: strongholds, imaginations (or images), and thoughts. Paul worked backwards from strongholds to thoughts. I will flip it around and take it from thoughts to strongholds.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. We Start off with a thought: Our minds are constantly flooded with thoughts from either (1) ourselves, (2) the adversary, or (3) God. We must learn to discern which thoughts are which so we can know which ones to receive and which ones to reject. This is critical because thoughts leads to actions. Every action, good or bad, starts with a thought. One quick way of knowing a thought did NOT come from God is when the thought is contrary to God’s Word. The Spirit of God will never lead you contrary to the Word of God.
2. Our thoughts create Images (imaginations): We do not think in words. Words are containers for images. For example: if I say, “Please do not think about an elephant, with his big ears and long trunk”, invariably you already pictured that elephant. Thoughts from either God or satan will create images of success or failure. God wants you to see yourself successful by His grace and satan wants you to see yourself a failure, today, tomorrow and forever. Thoughts from God paint images of Godly success upon the canvas of your mind. When you open your heart to the thoughts of God He is able to paint a picture of His plans for your future. However, the opposite is also true. Satan is trying to do the same thing. Satan’s images are images of fear, failure and death. This is why controlling your thoughts are so important. If you allow negative thoughts in, a picture of failure will be painted and you won’t be able to stop it. That’s why Paul taught us to take every thought CAPTIVE.
3. If not controlled, ungodly images can create Strongholds: Uncontrolled and unchallenged thoughts allow ungodly images in. If this process is allowed to be repeated, the ungodly images will ultimately lead to an ungodly strongholds. These strongholds can be very difficult to escape from. The word Paul used here for “stronghold” is the same word used for “fortified city”. In Biblical times enormous walls were built around cities to keep everyone inside the city safe and to keep unwanted visitors out. If you don’t capture and reject ungodly thoughts you will find yourself trapped behind a stronghold in your own mind. These strongholds can lead to depression or addiction. A person battling the negative thoughts of depression or the one addicted to pornography, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, sexual immorality, gossip, etc., is a person who allowed ungodly thoughts in unchecked and now they are dealing with a stronghold. They are literally trapped behind a fortified city; a prisoner in their own mind. When a person gets to this point it is hard for Godly words to get over that negative wall.
Here’s the good news: the opposite is also true. Godly thoughts can create Godly images and if you allow the process to repeat itself enough long enough, the images will ultimately lead to a Godly stronghold. You can have a Godly fortified wall around your mind, to the point where it is hard for negative or ungodly thoughts to get in. This is where you want to be. The more you get the Word of God down in your heart, the more Godly images will be produced, and the more susceptible you will be to Godly influence.
I have a lot more to say about this, but I will stop here for today.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. Thank You for teaching me about the importance of my thoughts. I no longer allow thoughts to come in and run around my mind uncontrolled or unchecked. My fight is not a carnal fight or a natural fight. My fight is a spiritual fight and the battleground is my mind. You have graced me with spiritual power to tear down ungodly strongholds. Not only that, but I declare by faith that I build Godly ones. I am deprogrammed from ungodly thinking and reprogrammed to think like You. I see myself the way You see me. I am who You say I am. I can and will do what You planned for me to do. There is a Godly fortified wall around my mind and ungodly thoughts will have a hard time getting in. If one does get in, I am quick to take it CAPTIVE and reject it. My mind is fixed and focused on You Father! Living this way I am confident that 2016 will be the BEST year of my life! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
