This morning we continue our new 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).
As I have been meditating this passage over and over, the Lord has been speaking to me about the methods of satan and how the kingdom of darkness attempts to torment us through continual thoughts of failure. The Lord reminded me of two incidents that happened in my family. One led the wife of one of my family members to delve into a deep battle with depression. She was depressed for years and countless pills prescribed to her by mental professionals did not change the situation. The mental professionals were dealing with fruit of the issue, but only God could deal with the root. Her story ended well. I may give you the full story soon, but for today I will just tell you that God gave me a Word to share with her. This Word came by revelation and that simple Word from God delivered her from depression.
The other story did not end as well. I may give you this full story as well in the days to come. For now I will give you the short version. I had a family member who was very successful professionally, but he had a few challenges personally and he was never able to get over them. He was tormented by the mistakes of his past, to the point where he delved into depression. He too went to doctors. He too took pills. But in the end, he unfortunately took his own life. This was a devastating event for our family.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. The war for your mind is spiritual.
a. Paul taught us that we do not war after the flesh. This is not a flesh-and-blood fight.
b. The devil wages a spiritual war on the battleground of our natural minds.
c. The only way to win a spiritual fight is with spiritual weapons. Natural pills can only deal with the “fruit” of the issue. It takes the power of God — Paul called it weapons that are mighty through God — to deal with the true “root” of the issue.
2. The mind is very powerful.
a. The mind has the power to remember an event in a way that is so vivid that you can literally re-live the moment.
b. When you remember something the mind is so powerful that you can actually make REAL in the present those things that happened in the past.
c. The devil attempts to use the power of the mind against you. He will replay the mistakes of your past over and over and over again, upon the canvas of your mind, in hopes that you re-live the pain over and over and over again.
3. Let it go.
a. If the devil can get you to re-live the pain of your past over and over, he can keep you from focusing on your future.
b. God has forgiven you of the mistakes of your past. It’s now time for you to forgive yourself and move on.
c. Don’t allow satan to cause you to re-live negative moments. When he reminds you of your past, you remind him of his future.
*** Finally, don’t judge your future by your past. Judge your future ONLY by the plans God made for you before the world began!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I take control of every thought. I bring every wayward thought captive. I refuse to be a prisoner in my own mind. The devil is a liar and Jesus is the Messiah. When the devil reminds me of my past, I remind him of his future. I have been forgiven. I accept Your forgiveness Father, I forgive myself, and I move on. Satan has no power over me. I refuse to allow the enemy to have my mind. If I am going to replay anything upon the canvas of my mind, it will be the power of the Blood of Jesus. I am covered by the Blood of Your Son, filled with Your Spirit, and called according to Your purpose. Forward ever, backward never! The best is yet to come in my life! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
