This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, by going back to the passage we have been studying. The Apostle 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 KJV). We have been walking our way through this passage and I hope you see by now the importance of your mind. Your mind is the control center of your life, which is why there is a battle going on for your thoughts. Whoever controls your thoughts controls your life.
In “8 Steps to Create the Life You Want: The Anatomy of a Successful Life”, Dr. Creflo Dollar said, “Your mind is the arena of faith where the battle of words is won or lost. It’s the starting point for prosperity or poverty, healing or sickness, failure or success. It’s up to you to reject the negative words the enemy tries to plant in your mind. If you find that your thoughts are producing failure rather than success, change the way you think.” You will never change in life until you change your thinking.
Let’s look at something Solomon said. Let me preface this by pointing out that God gave Solomon wisdom that exceeded the wisdom of all the men on the planet during his time. He was the wisest and richest man alive. This is what he said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Prov 4:23). That was the traditional King James Version. Allow me to share that same verse in more modern translations.
— New International Version: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
— Easy to Read Version: Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
- The Apostle Paul describes the spiritual war being fought for control of your natural mind. Both God and satan are seeking to influence you through our thinking. Whoever you allow to influence our thinking will ultimately have direct influence over our entire life.
- You will never experience any level of change in life beyond the level of change you experience in your mind.
- Everything you DO comes as a manifestation of the thoughts you THINK.
- Your thoughts are so important that Solomon taught us to keep and watch over our heart with all diligence, above all else, because our thoughts control our life.
- As a believer seeking Godly success you must take the time to THINK about the way you are THINKING.
- If you don’t ever THINK about your THOUGHTS, it is very easy to go astray. Before you realize it, you will be off-course.
- In order to focus your life you must focus your thoughts.
- This is a season for you to take control of the way you think. As you bring your thought life in alignment with God and His divine purpose, it will be much easier for you to live a life pleasing in His sight.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I keep my heart with all diligence for out of IT flows the issues of life. I take the time to THINK about the way I am THINKING. As You reveal to me areas of my life where my thinking is not in alignment with Your plans and purposes, I am quick to change. I get Your Word down in my heart to the point where my mind is renewed. I think the way You think. I approach life the way You have outlined in Your Word. I make decisions that line up with Your will. I get to the point where there is no difference between the way You think and the way I think. At that point — when I abide in You and Your Words abide in me — the Apostle John taught us that I could ask for whatever I want and You will give it to me. Because at that point what I want is ONLY what You want. That is the point I will get to… where my mind and Your mind are in total alignment. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
