April 21st

April 21st

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

This verse is important to our spiritual health. Whether your struggle is focusing on the negative, being skeptical or bitter, facing thoughts of depression or anxiety or even inappropriate thoughts such as fantasies or lust. This verse can be a great tool for the battle in our minds.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

If you are willing to give up the thoughts that you battle, you can begin to take those thoughts captive by employing this verse in prayer. First ask the Holy Spirit to help you and remind you to do it. Next, memorize the verse. Sure, it seems long but that is exactly the reason it is the right verse to use…-you have to really engage your mind to quote that verse because it is not short enough to just do it halfhearted. Once you have memorized it, then go to battle. (If you are over 70 years old and now have difficulty memorizing lengthy passages, then write it out on a little card and carry it with you, but keep it handy.)

Whenever you start to have a thought that you need to let go, speak this verse. Out loud if you can but if you can’t then just run through it in your mind. You can follow it up with purposely thinking thoughts from each of the categories listed in the verse.

If you persist to purposely do this every time the wrong thoughts pop up, you will retrain your brain to take captive the negative thoughts and submit to those thoughts that are pleasing to God. Trust me it works, I have used this myself and taught our kids to do it. You have to be willing to do the right thing, if you aren’t willing then you won’t bother memorizing the verse or using it.

It is universal and can be applied to any situation and every situation. When you have victory over one area, you will find yourself using it in other areas. For example, if you use it over negative thoughts, then next you may apply it every time you think jealous thoughts, and so on. Remember, this is one of the purposes of the Word of God, -to do battle, it is after all the Sword of the Spirit!

Ephesians 6:11-17 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

How many times do we forget that the Lord gave us the weapons we need to win over the enemy! Let’s start using this one!

Jesus, thank you for providing me with a way to battle the enemy. Holy Spirit help me to surrender my thoughts to you and make me mindful of the ones that need to be taken captive. Help me to be willing to give up everything that does not honor you. Forgive me for not doing this sooner. Help me to memorize the verses that I need to do this battle. Thank you for empowering me to walk in the path that You have planned for me!