In writing to believers who were distressed because of the tremendous trials they were experiencing, the Apostle Peter commanded in 1 Peter 1:13:
“Gird up the loins of your mind…”
In essence, he was telling them to prepare their minds for aggressive action, to strengthen their minds for the battles they were facing.
The first piece of armor the Roman soldier put on as he prepared for battle was his belt. The belt was a very significant part of the armor as it was tied around the soldier’s waist to gather in the short tunic which he wore, keep the breastplate in place, and hold his sword. The soldier’s belt strengthened his loins and enabled him to fasten his armor securely, making him prepared to fight. To tighten or gird up the belt indicated a soldier was ready for action. To loosen or slacken the belt was a sign that he was off duty.
It is time for you to prepare for the battle by “girding up” and strengthening the loins of your mind. If you fail to do this, you are not going to be able to walk in the victory God has planned for you.
The loins refers to the chief area of bodily strength. The entire body is connected to the loins. If the loins fail, the whole body fails. The "loins" you are to gird up for battle spiritually are your heart and mind, your innermost man, and the center of your existence from where all the issues of life flow forth.
If your heart and mind is strong and disciplined, if you know God’s Word and your thoughts are constantly being brought into obedience to Christ then you will be strong and courageous during times of great trial, temptation, or attack by the enemy.
If you have a passive mind, you are an easy target for Satan. When your mind is in a state of passivity, your spiritual senses are dulled. You are vulnerable to every attack-deception, fear, temptation, oppression, depression, and eventually you will lose control of your thought life.
It is time for you to rise up, to march forward in new strength with a victorious mind. You must not be intimidated by the power of the enemy. You must not be fearful or cowardly. You must face the enemy with renewed spiritual aggressiveness and a determination to defeat him in every area of your life.
As you go out into the world today, gird up the loins of your heart and mind. Do not let your spiritual senses become dull. Be ready to face the attacks of the enemy. Strengthen your loins before you enter the battlefield.
God has made it possible for you to have a victorious mind, but you must learn to discipline your mind until it is fully governed by the Holy Spirit within you.
You can either set your mind for victory or for defeat. If you are continually allowing thoughts of failure and defeat, then you will be defeated. If your mind is continually fixed on the victory Christ has made possible for you, you will be victorious.
Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”
What you program into a computer is exactly what is going to come out of it. If the information you program is incorrect, that is what you are going to retrieve from it. If what you program into a computer is one-hundred percent correct, the output will be one-hundred percent accurate.
The same principle is true regarding your mind. The thoughts, desires, and imaginations which you allow to fill your mind are what will govern your heart, be expressed through your words, and be manifested in your life.
It is time to reprogram your mind for battle! Begin today to take aggressive action against the enemy. Refuse to allow Satan to plant even one thought in your mind. If your mind is in turmoil, filled with fear or worry concerning the circumstances you are facing, then you must take control of these negative thoughts. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, take authority over the tactics of the enemy and reject every thought he tries to plant in your mind.
Whenever Satan tries to attack your mind, tell him: “Satan, you are a liar! You no longer have control over me. You have no control over my mind, thoughts, will, or emotions. God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound, well-disciplined mind.”
Prepare your mind for battle and go forth to walk in complete victory today!
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Monday, September 11, 2017
The Battlefield And The Victory ( Part 5)
God has planned for you to have a sound mind that is one-hundred percent victorious. He also wants you to have a well-disciplined mind that is controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Developing this kind of mind does not happen automatically. To have a well-disciplined, victorious mind, you must:
-Take aggressive action against Satan’s attacks and recognize, resist, and reject all thoughts he tries to plant in your heart and mind.
-Continually bring every thought into captivity.
-Be renewed in your mind by “putting off” the old nature with its carnal thinking and bringing your thoughts under the control of the Holy Spirit and into conformity with the will of God.
-Fill your heart and mind with God’s Word and the knowledge of Christ.
Satan’s objective in attacking you is to wear you down until you become spiritually weary and faint in your mind. He knows that if your mind is weak he will be able to gain access to your life. Satan will try to make you so tired of your circumstances and your struggles that you will just give up.
No doubt, you have fought heavy spiritual battles before, but they will not compare with the battles you will face during the end-times. Satan will intensify his attacks on the saints of God and will try to literally wear them out according to Daniel 7:25. Unless you are aware of what is happening and prepare yourself, you will not be able to stand in victory. You will live in a continuous cycle of defeat.
Satan will attack you through your circumstances so that you will become caught in a cycle of defeat. He will bombard your mind with fear and doubt until you become spiritually weary and faint in your mind. Then you will become discouraged, lose hope, and resign yourself to accepting your circumstances as they are. Your discouragement may then lead to depression where you will be spiritually immobilized.
Take aggressive action against Satan’s attacks on your mind today. Continually bring every thought into captivity. Renew your mind by putting off your old carnal thinking and filling your mind with God’s Word.
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Paul warned New Testament believers not to become weary and faint in their minds, due to the great opposition and persecution they were facing. He told them:
Hebrews 12:1-3 "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."
The Greek word for faint means “to unloose, relax, and make weak.” Satan wants you to become so overwhelmed by your circumstances, so weary fighting the battles that you face day-after-day, that you faint spiritually.
The enemy wants your mind to be spiritually weak so that you will:
-Let up on you prayers.
-Reduce the time you study the Word.
-Stop resisting his attacks.
-Yield control of your thoughts to him.
-Stop casting down vain ideas.
You may be at this dangerous point right now where you are weary and have fainted in your mind. You may be so worn out from spiritual battles that you are ready to give up. You may be tired of resisting temptation. Your mind may be in constant turmoil. You may be depressed or severely oppressed by the enemy.
Jesus warned about the cares of the world:
Luke 21:34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."
Whatever strategy Satan may be using to attack your mind, don’t give in! God has made it possible for you to walk in one-hundred percent victory over all the power of enemy. The moment you faint in your mind and stop resisting his attacks, you are surrendering yourself into his hands. You are defeated only when you fail to fight.
It is time to prepare your mind for aggressive action. Do not remain passive. To win the battle of your heart and mind and live in one-hundred percent victory over every attack of the enemy, you must have a strong, powerful, disciplined mind that is controlled by the Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to take complete control of your heart and mind.
Developing this kind of mind does not happen automatically. To have a well-disciplined, victorious mind, you must:
-Take aggressive action against Satan’s attacks and recognize, resist, and reject all thoughts he tries to plant in your heart and mind.
-Continually bring every thought into captivity.
-Be renewed in your mind by “putting off” the old nature with its carnal thinking and bringing your thoughts under the control of the Holy Spirit and into conformity with the will of God.
-Fill your heart and mind with God’s Word and the knowledge of Christ.
Satan’s objective in attacking you is to wear you down until you become spiritually weary and faint in your mind. He knows that if your mind is weak he will be able to gain access to your life. Satan will try to make you so tired of your circumstances and your struggles that you will just give up.
No doubt, you have fought heavy spiritual battles before, but they will not compare with the battles you will face during the end-times. Satan will intensify his attacks on the saints of God and will try to literally wear them out according to Daniel 7:25. Unless you are aware of what is happening and prepare yourself, you will not be able to stand in victory. You will live in a continuous cycle of defeat.
Satan will attack you through your circumstances so that you will become caught in a cycle of defeat. He will bombard your mind with fear and doubt until you become spiritually weary and faint in your mind. Then you will become discouraged, lose hope, and resign yourself to accepting your circumstances as they are. Your discouragement may then lead to depression where you will be spiritually immobilized.
Take aggressive action against Satan’s attacks on your mind today. Continually bring every thought into captivity. Renew your mind by putting off your old carnal thinking and filling your mind with God’s Word.
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Paul warned New Testament believers not to become weary and faint in their minds, due to the great opposition and persecution they were facing. He told them:
Hebrews 12:1-3 "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."
The Greek word for faint means “to unloose, relax, and make weak.” Satan wants you to become so overwhelmed by your circumstances, so weary fighting the battles that you face day-after-day, that you faint spiritually.
The enemy wants your mind to be spiritually weak so that you will:
-Let up on you prayers.
-Reduce the time you study the Word.
-Stop resisting his attacks.
-Yield control of your thoughts to him.
-Stop casting down vain ideas.
You may be at this dangerous point right now where you are weary and have fainted in your mind. You may be so worn out from spiritual battles that you are ready to give up. You may be tired of resisting temptation. Your mind may be in constant turmoil. You may be depressed or severely oppressed by the enemy.
Jesus warned about the cares of the world:
Luke 21:34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."
Whatever strategy Satan may be using to attack your mind, don’t give in! God has made it possible for you to walk in one-hundred percent victory over all the power of enemy. The moment you faint in your mind and stop resisting his attacks, you are surrendering yourself into his hands. You are defeated only when you fail to fight.
It is time to prepare your mind for aggressive action. Do not remain passive. To win the battle of your heart and mind and live in one-hundred percent victory over every attack of the enemy, you must have a strong, powerful, disciplined mind that is controlled by the Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to take complete control of your heart and mind.
The Battlefield And The Victory (Part 4)
Paul told the Corinthians, “But we have the mind of Christ, the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart” in 1 Corinthians 2:16, AMP.
God has planned that believers be transformed into Christ’s image according to Romans 8:29 and this transformation takes place by the renewing of your mind as written in Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18.
As you fill your mind with the Word of God, you are being transformed into His image. As your mind, will, desires, and purposes are renewed, you become governed by the Holy Spirit and begin to manifest this in your thoughts, emotions, and conduct.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:23, 24 to be constantly renewed in the spirit of their minds:
"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
God has planned that your mind be filled with revelation knowledge so that you will be able to comprehend the riches of your inheritance and the power you possess as a child of God.
Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17-19 AMP that God would give the Ephesians the spirit of revelation in the knowledge of Christ:
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him by having the eyes of your heart flooded with light so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints – His set-apart ones. And (so that you can know and understand) what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength."
God has planned that you have a strong mind with the ability to control every thought, imagination, desire, and emotion, and through the spiritual weapons He has provided you bring them into conformity to the will of God. Do not settle for anything less than a totally transformed mind.
Remember, God is calling you to have a sound, well-disciplined mind. Satan, on the other hand, wants you to think you are a helpless victim of negative thinking and that there is nothing you can do to control your thoughts.
Satan is a liar! He does not have the ability to control your mind. You do not have to accept the thoughts that he tries to plant in your mind. He cannot force you to think evil thoughts. He cannot force you to worry. He cannot force you to be fearful, discouraged, or depressed.
Satan’s power over your mind has been broken. He only has the power to attack your mind when you fail to resist and permit him to have access to it, so “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” according to James 4:7.
Unfortunately, there are some believers who are allowing Satan to have complete access to their minds without putting up any resistance. Not only are they permitting negative, doubting, fearful ideas to enter their minds, they are allowing these thoughts to remain and are continually dwelling upon them. Their excuse is, “I cannot help myself.”
But you can help yourself! God has made it possible for you to have a one-hundred percent free, one-hundred percent victorious mind--but you must be willing to take aggressive action. You must recognize Satan’s attacks, resist the ideas he tries to plant in your mind, take authority, and cast out every errant thought in the Name of Jesus.
Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” The Greek word for sound is "sophronismos", which is an appeal for soundness of mind or self-control. Paul was encouraging Timothy to develop a strong, sound, well-disciplined mind. He was instructing Timothy to discipline his mind by taking authority over it and focusing his thoughts on fulfilling the ministry to which God had called him.
Take authority over your mind today. Fill your mind with thoughts of the vision God has given you and how you will fulfill it. Focus on your destiny. Look to the future instead of the past. Refuse to be a victim of the tactics of the enemy in your thought life
God has planned that believers be transformed into Christ’s image according to Romans 8:29 and this transformation takes place by the renewing of your mind as written in Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18.
As you fill your mind with the Word of God, you are being transformed into His image. As your mind, will, desires, and purposes are renewed, you become governed by the Holy Spirit and begin to manifest this in your thoughts, emotions, and conduct.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:23, 24 to be constantly renewed in the spirit of their minds:
"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
God has planned that your mind be filled with revelation knowledge so that you will be able to comprehend the riches of your inheritance and the power you possess as a child of God.
Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17-19 AMP that God would give the Ephesians the spirit of revelation in the knowledge of Christ:
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him by having the eyes of your heart flooded with light so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints – His set-apart ones. And (so that you can know and understand) what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength."
God has planned that you have a strong mind with the ability to control every thought, imagination, desire, and emotion, and through the spiritual weapons He has provided you bring them into conformity to the will of God. Do not settle for anything less than a totally transformed mind.
Remember, God is calling you to have a sound, well-disciplined mind. Satan, on the other hand, wants you to think you are a helpless victim of negative thinking and that there is nothing you can do to control your thoughts.
Satan is a liar! He does not have the ability to control your mind. You do not have to accept the thoughts that he tries to plant in your mind. He cannot force you to think evil thoughts. He cannot force you to worry. He cannot force you to be fearful, discouraged, or depressed.
Satan’s power over your mind has been broken. He only has the power to attack your mind when you fail to resist and permit him to have access to it, so “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” according to James 4:7.
Unfortunately, there are some believers who are allowing Satan to have complete access to their minds without putting up any resistance. Not only are they permitting negative, doubting, fearful ideas to enter their minds, they are allowing these thoughts to remain and are continually dwelling upon them. Their excuse is, “I cannot help myself.”
But you can help yourself! God has made it possible for you to have a one-hundred percent free, one-hundred percent victorious mind--but you must be willing to take aggressive action. You must recognize Satan’s attacks, resist the ideas he tries to plant in your mind, take authority, and cast out every errant thought in the Name of Jesus.
Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” The Greek word for sound is "sophronismos", which is an appeal for soundness of mind or self-control. Paul was encouraging Timothy to develop a strong, sound, well-disciplined mind. He was instructing Timothy to discipline his mind by taking authority over it and focusing his thoughts on fulfilling the ministry to which God had called him.
Take authority over your mind today. Fill your mind with thoughts of the vision God has given you and how you will fulfill it. Focus on your destiny. Look to the future instead of the past. Refuse to be a victim of the tactics of the enemy in your thought life
The Battlefield And The Victory ( Part 3)
Satan is oppressing many of God’s people today, just as he oppressed the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter in New Testament times. Demon “oppression” and “possession” are just as real today and perhaps even more prevalent as during Christ's ministry on earth.
When a believer is oppressed, it is an outward result of Satan attacking his mind or body and sometimes both. A true believer can be oppressed mentally or physically and not be possessed by unclean spirits. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, demonic forces can oppress you, but not possess you because the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in the same spiritual house with demons.
It is time for the church of Jesus Christ to recognize the demonic oppression that is coming against God’s people, confront Satan and his evil forces, and take authority over them just as Jesus did in His ministry. Satan is illegally exercising dominion over believers, tormenting their minds and afflicting their bodies.
Demons are spirit beings without physical bodies. One of their main objectives is to invade and indwell human minds so they can take control of their bodies. Demon spirits of fear, doubt, unbelief, worry, and depression will attack and torment a person’s mind until they become so oppressed they are unable to appropriate by faith the promises of God in relation to their circumstances.
In this state of oppression there is such a heaviness in the spirit that there is a thick spiritual darkness like a cloud that cannot be penetrated. The person may have “head knowledge” of God's promises, but because of the heavy oppression by these spirits, be unable to act in faith upon the Word of God.
If a believer fails to resist these attacks and reject the thoughts and suggestions these spirits try to plant in his mind, his emotions and actions will become controlled by them. Eventually his will becomes so weakened that he yields to the oppressing spirits and is in a constant state of torment. Such torment will soon be manifested in his physical body and by his actions as well.
Recognize Satan's strategy of oppression and reject oppressive thoughts the minute they pop into your mind. Do not allow your emotions to be controlled or tormented by these.
There has been a lack of revelation not only regarding the work of the enemy, but also concerning the power and authority believers have over Satan and his evil forces. Not understanding the need to detect and resist evil spirits, many believers have become victims instead of victors. Instead of exercising dominion over evil forces, believers are allowing these spirits to seize authority in their lives.
Believers can no longer be ignorant of his devices. Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and sent by God to set free those oppressed by the devil. Jesus has already destroyed the power of the devil. As His ambassador, you are anointed and dispatched by the Holy Spirit to enforce His victory throughout the world.
There may be spirits oppressing your mind, continually bombarding you with lusts of the flesh and tempting you to sin. A spirit of fear may be tormenting your mind to such an extent you are constantly living in fear. Worry and doubt may be attacking your mind until you are in a constant state of turmoil. Spirits of heaviness, hopelessness, frustration, or depression may be coming against you until you have reached a point in your life where you feel you cannot go on and you are simply worn out, tired of resisting the enemy and conducting spiritual warfare.
Just as God delivered Israel out of the hands of her oppressors, He will deliver His people today out of the oppression of the enemy. Those who have been tormented in their minds by spirits of lust, adultery, fornication, and sexual perversion will be delivered. Those under heavy oppression–who have no joy or peace, and who are unable to freely worship God–they are going to be set free! The dark cloud of oppression will lift and they will walk and live in new freedom in the Spirit.
The key to being set free from oppressing spirits is found in knowing and using the power and authority that is rightfully yours in Luke 10:19. Do not hesitate or be fearful in dealing with the demons that are attacking you, your family, friends or loved ones. Take authority over them and cast them out, in the Name of Jesus.
You are anointed by the Holy Spirit to confront the powers of Satan and liberate those who are oppressed including yourself. God is empowering you to rise up in new strength to stop the enemy in his tracks.
When a believer is oppressed, it is an outward result of Satan attacking his mind or body and sometimes both. A true believer can be oppressed mentally or physically and not be possessed by unclean spirits. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, demonic forces can oppress you, but not possess you because the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in the same spiritual house with demons.
It is time for the church of Jesus Christ to recognize the demonic oppression that is coming against God’s people, confront Satan and his evil forces, and take authority over them just as Jesus did in His ministry. Satan is illegally exercising dominion over believers, tormenting their minds and afflicting their bodies.
Demons are spirit beings without physical bodies. One of their main objectives is to invade and indwell human minds so they can take control of their bodies. Demon spirits of fear, doubt, unbelief, worry, and depression will attack and torment a person’s mind until they become so oppressed they are unable to appropriate by faith the promises of God in relation to their circumstances.
In this state of oppression there is such a heaviness in the spirit that there is a thick spiritual darkness like a cloud that cannot be penetrated. The person may have “head knowledge” of God's promises, but because of the heavy oppression by these spirits, be unable to act in faith upon the Word of God.
If a believer fails to resist these attacks and reject the thoughts and suggestions these spirits try to plant in his mind, his emotions and actions will become controlled by them. Eventually his will becomes so weakened that he yields to the oppressing spirits and is in a constant state of torment. Such torment will soon be manifested in his physical body and by his actions as well.
Recognize Satan's strategy of oppression and reject oppressive thoughts the minute they pop into your mind. Do not allow your emotions to be controlled or tormented by these.
There has been a lack of revelation not only regarding the work of the enemy, but also concerning the power and authority believers have over Satan and his evil forces. Not understanding the need to detect and resist evil spirits, many believers have become victims instead of victors. Instead of exercising dominion over evil forces, believers are allowing these spirits to seize authority in their lives.
Believers can no longer be ignorant of his devices. Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and sent by God to set free those oppressed by the devil. Jesus has already destroyed the power of the devil. As His ambassador, you are anointed and dispatched by the Holy Spirit to enforce His victory throughout the world.
There may be spirits oppressing your mind, continually bombarding you with lusts of the flesh and tempting you to sin. A spirit of fear may be tormenting your mind to such an extent you are constantly living in fear. Worry and doubt may be attacking your mind until you are in a constant state of turmoil. Spirits of heaviness, hopelessness, frustration, or depression may be coming against you until you have reached a point in your life where you feel you cannot go on and you are simply worn out, tired of resisting the enemy and conducting spiritual warfare.
Just as God delivered Israel out of the hands of her oppressors, He will deliver His people today out of the oppression of the enemy. Those who have been tormented in their minds by spirits of lust, adultery, fornication, and sexual perversion will be delivered. Those under heavy oppression–who have no joy or peace, and who are unable to freely worship God–they are going to be set free! The dark cloud of oppression will lift and they will walk and live in new freedom in the Spirit.
The key to being set free from oppressing spirits is found in knowing and using the power and authority that is rightfully yours in Luke 10:19. Do not hesitate or be fearful in dealing with the demons that are attacking you, your family, friends or loved ones. Take authority over them and cast them out, in the Name of Jesus.
You are anointed by the Holy Spirit to confront the powers of Satan and liberate those who are oppressed including yourself. God is empowering you to rise up in new strength to stop the enemy in his tracks.
The Battlefield And The Victory (Part 2)
Perplexity! Stress! Fear! Worry! Hopelessness! Despair! Discouragement! Defeat! These negative forces permeate our society. But in the midst of these negative forces, believers do not have to become victims of depression!
Regardless of the things which are coming upon this earth, regardless of the trials, circumstances, and attacks of Satan upon your mind, you do not have to become depressed like the people of the world who are living in spiritual darkness.
You must recognize depression for what it is: a major strategy of Satan. Satan is using depression in an attempt to stop the progress believers are making in pushing back the forces of darkness in the nations of the world. We are not talking about depression that results from a physical condition, such as a lack of serotonin. We are talking about an all-out attack of spiritual and emotional depression that is rampant in the Body of Christ.
There are multiplied thousands of Christians today who have failed to recognize depression as an attack of Satan. They do not know how to fight and win the war over depression and they are being spiritually immobilized on the sidelines.
Many Christians consider depression a natural reaction when they face difficult trials or attacks of the enemy, such as long-term sickness, marital problems, death of a loved one, loss of a job, or extreme financial difficulties. But the Bible says that believers are to be joyful in the midst of trials, giving thanks in every situation--not depressed.
There are some Christian ministers and leaders who are experiencing “spiritual burnout.” They have been carrying such a heavy workload, pushing themselves twelve to fourteen hours a day, seven days a week, giving themselves unselfishly in meeting the needs of others. In so doing, they have failed to spend time in God’s presence being strengthened and refreshed by His Spirit. They have been so involved in doing the work of the ministry that they have failed to take time with the Lord to be renewed in their minds. Hence, they become tired, discouraged, and depressed.
Depression is a major tool of the enemy, but you do not have to succumb to it. God has promised you a 100% victorious mind through the power of the Holy Spirit. Take authority over depression today! Do not allow it to operate in your life, today or any day. The minute a depressing thought comes, begin to praise and worship the Lord and it will flee.
Some believers are depressed because of past failures. Satan brings up their past sins and uses these thoughts against them. Some people are depressed because of guilt over bad habits, temptations, and sins they have been unable to overcome. They have struggled to be free, but when they continue to fail, their hearts and minds are filled with guilt.
Many Christians today are frustrated, worried, and depressed over financial problems. They have overdue bills and other commitments they are unable to pay because their income is insufficient to meet their basic needs.
Others are deeply distraught and depressed concerning their marriage relationship. There are those who have unsaved spouses and there is no peace or harmony in their home. Some have mates who have left them for someone else or have asked for a divorce. Others feel their spouse no longer loves or appreciates them. Some are living in abusive situations.
On the job, there are thousands of Christians who are depressed. Faced with a heavy work load, pressures, demands, and deadlines with which they are unable to cope, they are worn-out mentally and physically.
Others are depressed because of pain or sickness. Research indicates eighty-three percent of patients with chronic pain are depressed. Long-term illness fills their minds with doubt, worry, and self-pity--all of which lead to depression.
Depression is not a normal reaction for believers facing adverse circumstances. We must realize that depression is not an acceptable reaction to problems. We must recognize it as more than a leading cause of major illness. It is time that we go to the root cause and recognize depression for what it really is: Depression is a spirit that Satan is using to attack our minds!
You are not a helpless victim of depression. Regardless of the great distress and perplexity--the stress, fear, and hopelessness that surrounds you--you do not have to become depressed. Set your mind for victory. Refuse to allow Satan, others around you, or your own thought life to program your mind for failure, defeat, or depression.
From this day forward, determine that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will not allow your mind to be ruled by depression. Set your mind for victory!
Satan wants you to accept depression as if there is nothing you can do about it. He wants you to be depressed and stay depressed, so that you will be unable to fulfill God’s purpose and plan for your life.
To successfully overcome depression, you must learn to stop it the moment it attacks your mind. You must recognize that the thoughts which you allow to remain in your heart and mind are what causes your depression--not your negative circumstances. None of the circumstances you are facing or ever will face can cause you to be depressed. It is your response to your problems that determines whether or not you will be depressed. You do not have to ever be depressed again! God's Word has promised:
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV "No temptation (trial) has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted (tried) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (tried), he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
This is God’s guarantee against depression. God will not allow any circumstances, trial, temptation or attack of the enemy to come into your life that you are unable to bear. In every circumstance you face, He will make a way of escape that will bring you out victoriously.
The Apostle Paul had every reason to be discouraged, defeated, and depressed. Think about the circumstances he faced. He was rejected, beaten several times, stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. Yet, he was not depressed. He despaired of life at one point, but he did not become what we call "clinically depressed." Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9:
"We are troubled on every side – yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed."
In the prison cell where Paul and Silas were incarcerated for preaching the Gospel, Paul had every reason to be depressed in Acts 16. His back was bruised and bleeding and he was bound by chains. He was no doubt hungry and physically exhausted. He had been unjustly imprisoned. But, he was not depressed. He was not fearful, worried, angry, or filled with self-pity concerning his circumstances. Instead of griping, complaining, and feeling sorry for themselves, Paul and Silas sang praises to God and in so doing won the victory over depression. As they praised and worshiped God, He supernaturally intervened in their circumstances and delivered them. Through praise and worship, they found the way of escape. There is no temptation you are experiencing but what is common to man. God is faithful to His guarantee that your circumstances will never be more than you can bear. There is always a way of escape.
Regardless of the things which are coming upon this earth, regardless of the trials, circumstances, and attacks of Satan upon your mind, you do not have to become depressed like the people of the world who are living in spiritual darkness.
You must recognize depression for what it is: a major strategy of Satan. Satan is using depression in an attempt to stop the progress believers are making in pushing back the forces of darkness in the nations of the world. We are not talking about depression that results from a physical condition, such as a lack of serotonin. We are talking about an all-out attack of spiritual and emotional depression that is rampant in the Body of Christ.
There are multiplied thousands of Christians today who have failed to recognize depression as an attack of Satan. They do not know how to fight and win the war over depression and they are being spiritually immobilized on the sidelines.
Many Christians consider depression a natural reaction when they face difficult trials or attacks of the enemy, such as long-term sickness, marital problems, death of a loved one, loss of a job, or extreme financial difficulties. But the Bible says that believers are to be joyful in the midst of trials, giving thanks in every situation--not depressed.
There are some Christian ministers and leaders who are experiencing “spiritual burnout.” They have been carrying such a heavy workload, pushing themselves twelve to fourteen hours a day, seven days a week, giving themselves unselfishly in meeting the needs of others. In so doing, they have failed to spend time in God’s presence being strengthened and refreshed by His Spirit. They have been so involved in doing the work of the ministry that they have failed to take time with the Lord to be renewed in their minds. Hence, they become tired, discouraged, and depressed.
Proverbs 18:14 CEV "Being cheerful help when we are sick, but nothing helps when we give up."
Depression is a major tool of the enemy, but you do not have to succumb to it. God has promised you a 100% victorious mind through the power of the Holy Spirit. Take authority over depression today! Do not allow it to operate in your life, today or any day. The minute a depressing thought comes, begin to praise and worship the Lord and it will flee.
Some believers are depressed because of past failures. Satan brings up their past sins and uses these thoughts against them. Some people are depressed because of guilt over bad habits, temptations, and sins they have been unable to overcome. They have struggled to be free, but when they continue to fail, their hearts and minds are filled with guilt.
Many Christians today are frustrated, worried, and depressed over financial problems. They have overdue bills and other commitments they are unable to pay because their income is insufficient to meet their basic needs.
Others are deeply distraught and depressed concerning their marriage relationship. There are those who have unsaved spouses and there is no peace or harmony in their home. Some have mates who have left them for someone else or have asked for a divorce. Others feel their spouse no longer loves or appreciates them. Some are living in abusive situations.
On the job, there are thousands of Christians who are depressed. Faced with a heavy work load, pressures, demands, and deadlines with which they are unable to cope, they are worn-out mentally and physically.
Others are depressed because of pain or sickness. Research indicates eighty-three percent of patients with chronic pain are depressed. Long-term illness fills their minds with doubt, worry, and self-pity--all of which lead to depression.
Depression is not a normal reaction for believers facing adverse circumstances. We must realize that depression is not an acceptable reaction to problems. We must recognize it as more than a leading cause of major illness. It is time that we go to the root cause and recognize depression for what it really is: Depression is a spirit that Satan is using to attack our minds!
You are not a helpless victim of depression. Regardless of the great distress and perplexity--the stress, fear, and hopelessness that surrounds you--you do not have to become depressed. Set your mind for victory. Refuse to allow Satan, others around you, or your own thought life to program your mind for failure, defeat, or depression.
From this day forward, determine that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will not allow your mind to be ruled by depression. Set your mind for victory!
Satan wants you to accept depression as if there is nothing you can do about it. He wants you to be depressed and stay depressed, so that you will be unable to fulfill God’s purpose and plan for your life.
To successfully overcome depression, you must learn to stop it the moment it attacks your mind. You must recognize that the thoughts which you allow to remain in your heart and mind are what causes your depression--not your negative circumstances. None of the circumstances you are facing or ever will face can cause you to be depressed. It is your response to your problems that determines whether or not you will be depressed. You do not have to ever be depressed again! God's Word has promised:
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV "No temptation (trial) has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted (tried) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (tried), he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
This is God’s guarantee against depression. God will not allow any circumstances, trial, temptation or attack of the enemy to come into your life that you are unable to bear. In every circumstance you face, He will make a way of escape that will bring you out victoriously.
The Apostle Paul had every reason to be discouraged, defeated, and depressed. Think about the circumstances he faced. He was rejected, beaten several times, stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. Yet, he was not depressed. He despaired of life at one point, but he did not become what we call "clinically depressed." Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9:
"We are troubled on every side – yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed."
In the prison cell where Paul and Silas were incarcerated for preaching the Gospel, Paul had every reason to be depressed in Acts 16. His back was bruised and bleeding and he was bound by chains. He was no doubt hungry and physically exhausted. He had been unjustly imprisoned. But, he was not depressed. He was not fearful, worried, angry, or filled with self-pity concerning his circumstances. Instead of griping, complaining, and feeling sorry for themselves, Paul and Silas sang praises to God and in so doing won the victory over depression. As they praised and worshiped God, He supernaturally intervened in their circumstances and delivered them. Through praise and worship, they found the way of escape. There is no temptation you are experiencing but what is common to man. God is faithful to His guarantee that your circumstances will never be more than you can bear. There is always a way of escape.
The Battlefield And The Victory (Part 1)
Paul refers to the battle that takes place in your heart and mind daily:
Romans 7:22, 23 NIV "For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members."
Paul was speaking in these verses of the carnal desires of the flesh which war against the mind and try to make it a slave to the sins of the old carnal nature.
Paul continues by explaining that through Christ you have been set free from this old nature with its sinful desires, thoughts, and attitudes. You are now empowered to serve God with your mind and heart:
Romans 7:24, 25 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."
Paul then explains how sin has been deprived of its power over you. The power of sin which once ruled your heart and mind has been broken, and you are no longer a slave to the sinful desires of your carnal nature:
Romans 8:2, 3 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."
Jesus destroyed the works of the devil and set you free from the power of sin. Sin no longer has dominion over you. Once alienated from God, you were bound by your own stubborn, selfish will to live your life to please the flesh. But now, through Jesus, your heart and mind have been cleansed and set free from the power of sin. Your heart and mind are continuing to be renewed daily because you have been reconciled to God:
Colossians 1:21, 22 "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."
Your mind, which was once under Satan’s control, has been set free from his power. God placed His Spirit within you when you were born again. Your old sinful nature has not been rehabilitated, rather you have a brand new nature. All things are new. You have a new heart and a new mind with new attitudes and desires.
Jesus paid the price so you can have a one-hundred percent victorious mind. Satan no longer has power over you. He does not have power to make you sin. He cannot control your mind, thoughts, will, and emotions. He has no power whatsoever over you except what you allow him to have.
Sadly, Satan is creating havoc in the hearts and minds of many believers who do not know that they can have power over his attacks. They are in a constant state of turmoil. They are continually being bombarded with fear, worry, doubt, and confusion, yet they do not understand that it is Satan who is attacking them.
Many believers are being tempted with carnal desires and lusts of the flesh. A fierce battle is raging within them. Satan has a vice-like grip on their minds and they are unable to be free of his tormenting spirits. As a result, their minds are filled with fear, guilt, and condemnation. They are living a defeated life.
Many believers are victims of depression. They are gripped with a sense of hopelessness, frustration, and despair. They are spiritually immobilized, unable to release their faith, to think clearly, and to cope with the problems and circumstances they are facing. In some severe cases, their minds are in such turmoil they consider suicide.
These defeated believers are tormented, frustrated, and confused. They are unable to take authority over these satanic forces because they do not know where Satan is attacking or how to defeat him.
There is no reason why God’s people should be defeated. There is no reason why they should be confused, worried, fearful, anxious, depressed, or oppressed in their hearts and minds. There is no reason why you should live this way.
Jesus did not pay the supreme price and give His life as a sacrifice so that you could live in victory over the enemy only fifty percent, seventy percent, or even ninety-five percent of the time. Jesus paid the price at Calvary so that you can have a one-hundred percent victorious mind one-hundred percent of the time!
Romans 7:22, 23 NIV "For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members."
Paul was speaking in these verses of the carnal desires of the flesh which war against the mind and try to make it a slave to the sins of the old carnal nature.
Paul continues by explaining that through Christ you have been set free from this old nature with its sinful desires, thoughts, and attitudes. You are now empowered to serve God with your mind and heart:
Romans 7:24, 25 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."
Paul then explains how sin has been deprived of its power over you. The power of sin which once ruled your heart and mind has been broken, and you are no longer a slave to the sinful desires of your carnal nature:
Romans 8:2, 3 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."
Jesus destroyed the works of the devil and set you free from the power of sin. Sin no longer has dominion over you. Once alienated from God, you were bound by your own stubborn, selfish will to live your life to please the flesh. But now, through Jesus, your heart and mind have been cleansed and set free from the power of sin. Your heart and mind are continuing to be renewed daily because you have been reconciled to God:
Colossians 1:21, 22 "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."
Your mind, which was once under Satan’s control, has been set free from his power. God placed His Spirit within you when you were born again. Your old sinful nature has not been rehabilitated, rather you have a brand new nature. All things are new. You have a new heart and a new mind with new attitudes and desires.
Jesus paid the price so you can have a one-hundred percent victorious mind. Satan no longer has power over you. He does not have power to make you sin. He cannot control your mind, thoughts, will, and emotions. He has no power whatsoever over you except what you allow him to have.
Sadly, Satan is creating havoc in the hearts and minds of many believers who do not know that they can have power over his attacks. They are in a constant state of turmoil. They are continually being bombarded with fear, worry, doubt, and confusion, yet they do not understand that it is Satan who is attacking them.
Many believers are being tempted with carnal desires and lusts of the flesh. A fierce battle is raging within them. Satan has a vice-like grip on their minds and they are unable to be free of his tormenting spirits. As a result, their minds are filled with fear, guilt, and condemnation. They are living a defeated life.
Many believers are victims of depression. They are gripped with a sense of hopelessness, frustration, and despair. They are spiritually immobilized, unable to release their faith, to think clearly, and to cope with the problems and circumstances they are facing. In some severe cases, their minds are in such turmoil they consider suicide.
These defeated believers are tormented, frustrated, and confused. They are unable to take authority over these satanic forces because they do not know where Satan is attacking or how to defeat him.
There is no reason why God’s people should be defeated. There is no reason why they should be confused, worried, fearful, anxious, depressed, or oppressed in their hearts and minds. There is no reason why you should live this way.
Jesus did not pay the supreme price and give His life as a sacrifice so that you could live in victory over the enemy only fifty percent, seventy percent, or even ninety-five percent of the time. Jesus paid the price at Calvary so that you can have a one-hundred percent victorious mind one-hundred percent of the time!
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
The Tongue (Part 7)
The Bible is specific about the words that hinder your destiny.
Lying is one of the deadliest sins of the tongue against which you must set a guard. Among the things that God especially hates is a lying tongue:
Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."
When you speak words of truth, you speak life. When you speak lies, you speak death. When you make promises to others or to God and fail to keep them, you are lying. If you realize you have failed to be honest or if you have made a promise to someone and have not fulfilled it, acknowledge it. Repent and ask God to enable you to keep you from lying by making promises you cannot fulfill. Before you make promises, be sure that you are able and willing to fulfill them.
Murmuring is another barrier preventing believers from entering into the promises of God. Through murmuring and complaining, you speak death into your circumstances instead of life.
Gossip is another hindrance that will abort your destiny, and it is time we recognize gossip for what it is, which is a sin. Those who gossip are yielding their tongues to Satan and bringing curses upon themselves.
Backbiting is also a method through which Satan has erected a major stronghold. Backbiting is a form of gossip for the specific purpose of saying mean and spiteful things about another person. Backbiting is also referred to in the Word as “false accusation.”
Slander is finding fault with others and spreading unjust innuendos and criticism. When a Christian slanders someone, it harms three persons: The individual who is speaking, the individual spoken to, and the individual spoken about. Not only must you not speak evil about your brothers and sisters in the Lord, you are commanded not to speak evil of any man according to James 4:11.
Are you using your tongue to:
-Lie?
-Murmur?
-Gossip?
-Backbite?
-Slander?
These types of words will hinder your destiny! Please don't forget that!
Lying is one of the deadliest sins of the tongue against which you must set a guard. Among the things that God especially hates is a lying tongue:
Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."
When you speak words of truth, you speak life. When you speak lies, you speak death. When you make promises to others or to God and fail to keep them, you are lying. If you realize you have failed to be honest or if you have made a promise to someone and have not fulfilled it, acknowledge it. Repent and ask God to enable you to keep you from lying by making promises you cannot fulfill. Before you make promises, be sure that you are able and willing to fulfill them.
Murmuring is another barrier preventing believers from entering into the promises of God. Through murmuring and complaining, you speak death into your circumstances instead of life.
Gossip is another hindrance that will abort your destiny, and it is time we recognize gossip for what it is, which is a sin. Those who gossip are yielding their tongues to Satan and bringing curses upon themselves.
Backbiting is also a method through which Satan has erected a major stronghold. Backbiting is a form of gossip for the specific purpose of saying mean and spiteful things about another person. Backbiting is also referred to in the Word as “false accusation.”
Slander is finding fault with others and spreading unjust innuendos and criticism. When a Christian slanders someone, it harms three persons: The individual who is speaking, the individual spoken to, and the individual spoken about. Not only must you not speak evil about your brothers and sisters in the Lord, you are commanded not to speak evil of any man according to James 4:11.
Are you using your tongue to:
-Lie?
-Murmur?
-Gossip?
-Backbite?
-Slander?
These types of words will hinder your destiny! Please don't forget that!
The Tongue (Part 6)
The Bible records the specific words that kept Israel out of their Promised Land:
Numbers 14:1-4 "And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."
The people "murmured against Moses and Aaron". Murmuring is an outward expression of unbelief. When you murmur against your circumstances or against your spiritual leaders, you are actually murmuring against God. It reveals a lack of trust in God’s goodness, His love, His provision, and the leadership He has set over your life.
There are many believers today who have fallen into this snare of the enemy. When they face problems in their finances, in their families, or on the job, instead of trusting God they begin to murmur. They may not speak audibly, but in their hearts they are saying, “Why has God allowed this to happen to me? I am tired of never having enough money to meet my needs. Why doesn’t God answer my prayers? Has He forgotten me?” On the job, they murmur about the immense amount of work they have. They grumble about their salaries, the working conditions, and claim they aren’t being treated fairly.
The Israelites murmured because of the carnal desires and appetites of their flesh. They were not satisfied with the manna God provided for them. They were ungrateful for what God gave them and longed for the fish, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic they had enjoyed in Egypt. They would rather be slaves and go back to the old life than to obey God.
When you murmur, you are doubting God’s provision and care for you. Moses told the Israelites, in Exodus 16:8 AMP:
“The Lord has heard your grumblings which you murmur against Him, what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.”
When you complain and grumble, you are not murmuring against people or circumstances. You are murmuring against God. And yes, He hears you. Not only does He hear you, but your words of unbelief hinder you from acting in faith upon His promises.
Paul used the example of the Israelites to warn the Corinthians not to grumble. He said, in 1 Corinthians 10:10, 11:
"And do not grumble, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.”
Just as murmuring kept the Israelites out of the Promised Land, grumbling and complaining will hinder you from entering into your spiritual destiny
Numbers 14:1-4 "And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."
The people "murmured against Moses and Aaron". Murmuring is an outward expression of unbelief. When you murmur against your circumstances or against your spiritual leaders, you are actually murmuring against God. It reveals a lack of trust in God’s goodness, His love, His provision, and the leadership He has set over your life.
There are many believers today who have fallen into this snare of the enemy. When they face problems in their finances, in their families, or on the job, instead of trusting God they begin to murmur. They may not speak audibly, but in their hearts they are saying, “Why has God allowed this to happen to me? I am tired of never having enough money to meet my needs. Why doesn’t God answer my prayers? Has He forgotten me?” On the job, they murmur about the immense amount of work they have. They grumble about their salaries, the working conditions, and claim they aren’t being treated fairly.
The Israelites murmured because of the carnal desires and appetites of their flesh. They were not satisfied with the manna God provided for them. They were ungrateful for what God gave them and longed for the fish, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic they had enjoyed in Egypt. They would rather be slaves and go back to the old life than to obey God.
When you murmur, you are doubting God’s provision and care for you. Moses told the Israelites, in Exodus 16:8 AMP:
“The Lord has heard your grumblings which you murmur against Him, what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.”
When you complain and grumble, you are not murmuring against people or circumstances. You are murmuring against God. And yes, He hears you. Not only does He hear you, but your words of unbelief hinder you from acting in faith upon His promises.
Paul used the example of the Israelites to warn the Corinthians not to grumble. He said, in 1 Corinthians 10:10, 11:
"And do not grumble, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.”
Just as murmuring kept the Israelites out of the Promised Land, grumbling and complaining will hinder you from entering into your spiritual destiny
The Tongue (Part 5)
It is one thing to fall into a trap set by Satan, as he has many devious methods to ensnare you. It is quite another to snare yourself by your own mouth!
-You can snare yourself with your own words:
Proverbs 6:2 "Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth; thou art taken with the words of thy mouth."
-Your words can separate you from God:
Psalms 12:4 "Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?"
-Your words can create a breach--an opening--in your spirit:
Proverbs 15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit."
-Your lips affect your soul:
Proverbs 18:7 "A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul."
-Your uncontrolled tongue leads to trouble:
Proverbs 21:23 "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."
-Your tongue affects your whole body:
James 3:6 "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of Hell."
-Your tongue affects your whole life:
Proverbs 13: 3 "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."
Meditate on these powerful verses today. They illustrate why gaining control of your tongue is mandatory.
-You can snare yourself with your own words:
Proverbs 6:2 "Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth; thou art taken with the words of thy mouth."
-Your words can separate you from God:
Psalms 12:4 "Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?"
-Your words can create a breach--an opening--in your spirit:
Proverbs 15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit."
-Your lips affect your soul:
Proverbs 18:7 "A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul."
-Your uncontrolled tongue leads to trouble:
Proverbs 21:23 "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."
-Your tongue affects your whole body:
James 3:6 "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of Hell."
-Your tongue affects your whole life:
Proverbs 13: 3 "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."
Meditate on these powerful verses today. They illustrate why gaining control of your tongue is mandatory.
The Tongue (Part 4)
You can change the entire course of your life by bringing your tongue under the control of the Holy Spirit. If you are living in discouragement, failure, or defeat in any area of your life, you can change this by correcting your speech, by restraining your tongue from negative words, and by speaking words of life, blessing, and faith.
God requires you to discipline your tongue and bring it under the control of the Holy Spirit. This does not happen automatically. You are commanded:
Psalm 34:13 AMP “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
King Solomon warned in Ecclesiastes 5:6, AMP: “Do not allow your mouth to cause your body to sin.”
The Apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 3:10 NIV: “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.”
Like King David, you must purpose in your heart that you will not sin with your mouth. David said in Psalm 17:3:
“I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
Psalm 39:1 “I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”
The word keep is translated from a Hebrew word which means to guard or protect. You must guard your tongue and keep close watch over the words you speak. You must restrain your tongue and refuse to yield to the flesh by speaking evil, vain, or idle words.
You must be vigilant to guard your tongue. Be alert for any sign that the enemy is using your words to sin against God. Do not let Satan control your tongue and use it to destroy you. Remember that each time you criticize, backbite, gossip, lie, slander, or spread discord, you are yielding your tongue to Satan!
Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29; 31-32 AMP “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk (ever) come out of your mouth; but only such (speech) as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.”
Paul said you are to speak what is fitting and blesses others.
So analyze your words today.
-Are you using foul, negative, demeaning words?
-Are you speaking evil, telling dirty jokes and using profanity?
-What kind of testimony are the words of your mouth to those around you who are lost in sin?
Determine to speak only what is good and beneficial, words that are wholesome and fitting to the need or occasion. You have the power to change the course of your entire life by controlling your tongue.
God requires you to discipline your tongue and bring it under the control of the Holy Spirit. This does not happen automatically. You are commanded:
Psalm 34:13 AMP “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
King Solomon warned in Ecclesiastes 5:6, AMP: “Do not allow your mouth to cause your body to sin.”
The Apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 3:10 NIV: “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.”
Like King David, you must purpose in your heart that you will not sin with your mouth. David said in Psalm 17:3:
“I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
Psalm 39:1 “I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”
The word keep is translated from a Hebrew word which means to guard or protect. You must guard your tongue and keep close watch over the words you speak. You must restrain your tongue and refuse to yield to the flesh by speaking evil, vain, or idle words.
You must be vigilant to guard your tongue. Be alert for any sign that the enemy is using your words to sin against God. Do not let Satan control your tongue and use it to destroy you. Remember that each time you criticize, backbite, gossip, lie, slander, or spread discord, you are yielding your tongue to Satan!
Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29; 31-32 AMP “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk (ever) come out of your mouth; but only such (speech) as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.”
Paul said you are to speak what is fitting and blesses others.
So analyze your words today.
-Are you using foul, negative, demeaning words?
-Are you speaking evil, telling dirty jokes and using profanity?
-What kind of testimony are the words of your mouth to those around you who are lost in sin?
Determine to speak only what is good and beneficial, words that are wholesome and fitting to the need or occasion. You have the power to change the course of your entire life by controlling your tongue.
The Tongue (Part 3)
The heart communicates with the brain and the rest of the body in three ways that have been documented by scientific evidence: Neurologically (through transmissions of nerve impulses), biochemically (through hormones and neurotransmitters), and biophysically (through pressure waves). In addition, growing scientific evidence suggests that the heart may communicate with the brain and body through electromagnetic fields. Through these biological communication systems, the heart has a significant influence on the function of your brain and your bodily systems.
The heart and mind are intricately related, and that is why the Bible says what is in a man’s heart determines his actions and the words coming out of his mouth. If an individual’s heart is filled with negative thoughts such as hatred, anger, jealousy, fear, worry, pride, bitterness, and strife, then that is exactly what will come out of his mouth. If his mind and heart are continually filled with carnal thoughts and lusts of the flesh, it will be manifested in his speech.
On the other hand, if an individual’s heart and mind are filled with positive thoughts like thoughts of faith, love, joy, peace, then that is what will come out of his mouth. If his desires are centered on God and fulfilling His will, then he will speak forth faith-filled words. Even though a person claims to be a Christian and has an outward appearance of righteousness, if his heart and mind are not pure, his words will reflect this. Both blessing and cursing will come out of his mouth:
James 3:9-12 "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."
A heart that is corrupted by greed, jealousy, anger, pride, bitterness, and unforgiveness cannot produce the fruit of good, wholesome words. The heart and mind must first be cleansed and renewed by the Holy Spirit. The good treasure stored in a believer’s heart and mind is the powerful living and written Word of God. Jesus said in John 6:63, “..the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
When your heart and mind are saturated with the Word of God, then you will speak pure, powerful, faith-filled words that are spirit and life to those who hear them. If the treasures in your heart are evil then your mouth will spew forth evil things.
You are the one who determines what will come out of your mouth and whether it will be good or evil. Determine that today, only faith-filled words will come out of your mouth. Israel erred in their hearts, then they sinned with their mouths. God said in Hebrews 3:10, "Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways."
The heart and mind are intricately related, and that is why the Bible says what is in a man’s heart determines his actions and the words coming out of his mouth. If an individual’s heart is filled with negative thoughts such as hatred, anger, jealousy, fear, worry, pride, bitterness, and strife, then that is exactly what will come out of his mouth. If his mind and heart are continually filled with carnal thoughts and lusts of the flesh, it will be manifested in his speech.
On the other hand, if an individual’s heart and mind are filled with positive thoughts like thoughts of faith, love, joy, peace, then that is what will come out of his mouth. If his desires are centered on God and fulfilling His will, then he will speak forth faith-filled words. Even though a person claims to be a Christian and has an outward appearance of righteousness, if his heart and mind are not pure, his words will reflect this. Both blessing and cursing will come out of his mouth:
James 3:9-12 "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."
A heart that is corrupted by greed, jealousy, anger, pride, bitterness, and unforgiveness cannot produce the fruit of good, wholesome words. The heart and mind must first be cleansed and renewed by the Holy Spirit. The good treasure stored in a believer’s heart and mind is the powerful living and written Word of God. Jesus said in John 6:63, “..the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
When your heart and mind are saturated with the Word of God, then you will speak pure, powerful, faith-filled words that are spirit and life to those who hear them. If the treasures in your heart are evil then your mouth will spew forth evil things.
You are the one who determines what will come out of your mouth and whether it will be good or evil. Determine that today, only faith-filled words will come out of your mouth. Israel erred in their hearts, then they sinned with their mouths. God said in Hebrews 3:10, "Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways."
The Tongue (Part 2)
Although the tongue is a little member of your body, it is very powerful:
James 3:1-8 "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
Through the tongue, your whole being can be defiled mind, soul, and spirit. The tongue can never be tamed by man. Only when you yield your tongue to God can it be controlled. Like a ferocious animal, your tongue can never be left unguarded!
The Bible compares the tongue to:
-A burning fire: Proverbs 16:27; James 3:5
-A world of iniquity: James 3:6
-A beast that needs taming: James 3:7, 8
-A fountain of either fresh or bitter water: James 3:11
-A tree bearing either good or evil fruit: James 3:12
-An unruly evil: James 3:8
-Deadly poison: James 3:8
-A sharp razor: Psalms 52:2
-A sharp sword: Psalms 57:4; 59:7
-A poisonous serpent: Psalms 140:3
-A deep pit: Proverbs 22:14
As these scriptures reflect, the tongue can be an unrestrained force for evil. When brought under the control of the Holy Spirit, however, this powerful member of your body can be used for good and to speak forth God's Word of salvation, faith, healing, and deliverance.
James 3:1-8 "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
Through the tongue, your whole being can be defiled mind, soul, and spirit. The tongue can never be tamed by man. Only when you yield your tongue to God can it be controlled. Like a ferocious animal, your tongue can never be left unguarded!
The Bible compares the tongue to:
-A burning fire: Proverbs 16:27; James 3:5
-A world of iniquity: James 3:6
-A beast that needs taming: James 3:7, 8
-A fountain of either fresh or bitter water: James 3:11
-A tree bearing either good or evil fruit: James 3:12
-An unruly evil: James 3:8
-Deadly poison: James 3:8
-A sharp razor: Psalms 52:2
-A sharp sword: Psalms 57:4; 59:7
-A poisonous serpent: Psalms 140:3
-A deep pit: Proverbs 22:14
As these scriptures reflect, the tongue can be an unrestrained force for evil. When brought under the control of the Holy Spirit, however, this powerful member of your body can be used for good and to speak forth God's Word of salvation, faith, healing, and deliverance.
The Tongue (Part 1)
Disobedience kept Israel from advancing into their promised land. Another big barrier to claiming their inheritance was the words that came out of their mouths. During the coming days we are going to deal with one of the most powerful forces in the world, one that determines the entire course of your life:
Proverbs 18:21 AMP "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge it shall eat the fruit of it (for death or life)."
Your words determine your destiny! You are either speaking forth:
-Blessing or cursing.
-Power or weakness.
-Faith or unbelief.
-Victory or defeat.
-Abundance or lack.
-Life or death.
Words that you speak will advance or hinder your destiny in all areas of your life. If you continually speak negative words of defeat and discouragement, you are setting the course of your life to live in defeat and discouragement. If you constantly talk about your problems, the words coming out of your mouth will hinder you from taking possession of God’s promises and fulfilling your divine destiny.
If you take control of your tongue, however, and fill your mouth with the Word of God and speak it forth by faith, you will be setting the course of your life to live in victory. By your verbal confession, you will be taking ownership of God’s promises!
God wants to bring you into a new dimension of spiritual authority where your words, spoken with power and invested in the promises of God, will enable you to confront and conquer every stronghold of the enemy. Before you can enter this powerful realm of spiritual authority however, you must gain control of your tongue.
It was negative words that prevented Israel from embracing their destiny and led them to rebel against God. What words will come out of your mouth today? Will you speak words of death to your destiny, or will you speak words of life?
Proverbs 18:21 AMP "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge it shall eat the fruit of it (for death or life)."
Your words determine your destiny! You are either speaking forth:
-Blessing or cursing.
-Power or weakness.
-Faith or unbelief.
-Victory or defeat.
-Abundance or lack.
-Life or death.
Words that you speak will advance or hinder your destiny in all areas of your life. If you continually speak negative words of defeat and discouragement, you are setting the course of your life to live in defeat and discouragement. If you constantly talk about your problems, the words coming out of your mouth will hinder you from taking possession of God’s promises and fulfilling your divine destiny.
If you take control of your tongue, however, and fill your mouth with the Word of God and speak it forth by faith, you will be setting the course of your life to live in victory. By your verbal confession, you will be taking ownership of God’s promises!
God wants to bring you into a new dimension of spiritual authority where your words, spoken with power and invested in the promises of God, will enable you to confront and conquer every stronghold of the enemy. Before you can enter this powerful realm of spiritual authority however, you must gain control of your tongue.
It was negative words that prevented Israel from embracing their destiny and led them to rebel against God. What words will come out of your mouth today? Will you speak words of death to your destiny, or will you speak words of life?
Give Me A Vision (Part 1)
The Bible states in Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The vision to which this verse refers is
spiritual vision. Spiritual vision
provides direction, challenge, and structure for life.
Without it, people become spiritually dead.
Developing spiritual vision is the process of recognizing the purpose for which you have been brought into the Kingdom of God. Spiritual vision involves seeing beyond the natural world into the spiritual world. It is understanding the divine purpose of God and recognizing your part in His plan. Spiritual vision provides a clear image of what God wants you to do and then directs every step of your life towards achieving that goal.
Believers who are spiritually "perishing" are in one of the following categories:
-They do not have spiritual vision.
-They have received a spiritual vision but have been disobedient to it.
-They have a vision, but do not know how to fulfill it.
-They have tried and failed or perhaps have never tried at all.
Why is spiritual vision necessary? Why do people perish without it? The answer is found in an account recorded in 2 Kings 6:15-17. God's people, Israel, were surrounded by an enemy nation who had many soldiers, horses, and chariots of war. When Elisha's servant, Gehazi, saw the great force of the enemy, he was afraid and cried out to Elisha, "What shall we do?" Elisha told him:
Then Elisha prayed that God would open Gehazi's eyes and allow him to see into the spirit world. The request was granted, and Gehazi saw the spiritual forces of God surrounding Israel.
An important point in this story is that without spiritual vision the people of God cannot see beyond the natural circumstances of life. Like Gehazi, they are defeated by the powers of the enemy which they see at work in the natural world around them. Their vision is focused on their problems and their life becomes a cycle of crying out, "What shall we do?" Without spiritual vision, they cannot comprehend the divine plan of God.
To reach your destiny, you must have vision. As you progress through this devotional guide, pray that your spiritual eyes will be opened and that God will give you a clear vision of His plan for your life.
Developing spiritual vision is the process of recognizing the purpose for which you have been brought into the Kingdom of God. Spiritual vision involves seeing beyond the natural world into the spiritual world. It is understanding the divine purpose of God and recognizing your part in His plan. Spiritual vision provides a clear image of what God wants you to do and then directs every step of your life towards achieving that goal.
Believers who are spiritually "perishing" are in one of the following categories:
-They do not have spiritual vision.
-They have received a spiritual vision but have been disobedient to it.
-They have a vision, but do not know how to fulfill it.
-They have tried and failed or perhaps have never tried at all.
Why is spiritual vision necessary? Why do people perish without it? The answer is found in an account recorded in 2 Kings 6:15-17. God's people, Israel, were surrounded by an enemy nation who had many soldiers, horses, and chariots of war. When Elisha's servant, Gehazi, saw the great force of the enemy, he was afraid and cried out to Elisha, "What shall we do?" Elisha told him:
2 Kings 6:16 "Fear not, for they that be with us are more
than they that be with them."
Then Elisha prayed that God would open Gehazi's eyes and allow him to see into the spirit world. The request was granted, and Gehazi saw the spiritual forces of God surrounding Israel.
An important point in this story is that without spiritual vision the people of God cannot see beyond the natural circumstances of life. Like Gehazi, they are defeated by the powers of the enemy which they see at work in the natural world around them. Their vision is focused on their problems and their life becomes a cycle of crying out, "What shall we do?" Without spiritual vision, they cannot comprehend the divine plan of God.
To reach your destiny, you must have vision. As you progress through this devotional guide, pray that your spiritual eyes will be opened and that God will give you a clear vision of His plan for your life.
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