The human brain is one of the true wonders of God\u2019s creation. Infinitely more complex than computers or modern attempts at artificial intelligence, it stores memories and facts that can be recalled in sometimes random and mysterious ways. Our minds are active day and night (through dreams) and we can\u2019t always control what we think about. Every follower of Jesus must deal with thoughts that get in the way of our walk with him. This article will explore ways to deal with this issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ancients didn\u2019t know much about the brain and how it worked.\u00a0 They knew about the heart as a vital organ, but they also came to refer to \u201cthe heart\u201d as the place where all of our thinking originates.\u00a0 It is the place where our thoughts and emotions are generated, where choices are made, where desires come from.\u00a0 David says in Psalm 139:23, \u201cSearch me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts.\u201d<\/em> \u00a0 The \u201cheart\u201d and \u201cmind\u201d or \u201cthoughts” were synonymous.\u00a0 See this short video<\/strong><\/a> on the \u201cheart\u201d in Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Considering this, it\u2019s no surprise that the Scriptures have a lot to say about our heart\/thought life.\u00a0 Proverbs 4:23, \u201cabove all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life\u201d<\/em>.\u00a0 And Jeremiah writes, \u201cThe heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?\u201d <\/em>(17:9).\u00a0 Jesus says in Matthew 15:18-19, \u201c\u2026what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.\u00a0 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 And our hearts can be hardened, by us or even by God (see article, Does God Harden Hearts?<\/strong><\/a>).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the plus side, the Lord through Ezekiel promises, \u201cI will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.\u201d<\/em> (36:26). Philippians 4:7, \u201cand the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the negative thoughts that pop up in our minds are planted by our adversary, and some stem from our own desires. James gives us a fascinating description of the process of how thoughts can ultimately affect our actions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He points out in 1:14-15, \u201c\u2026each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s like the birth process.\u00a0 It starts with our desires (thoughts) that aren\u2019t God\u2019s desires.\u00a0 They lure us to them, and when we think long and hard enough, we \u201cconceive\u201d the desire, and \u201cgive birth\u201d to sin (we act on it) and leads to death.\u00a0 The wages of sin is death.\u00a0 This is spiritual warfare.\u00a0 The battleground is our minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If we live in dependence on the Holy Spirit, He gives us weapons and armor to stand up against the spiritual powers we are dealing with. See Ephesians 6:10-18<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n God\u2019s word is our most powerful weapon. Jesus responded to the devil\u2019s temptations with Scripture. Psalm 119:11, \u201c<\/strong>I have stored up (or hidden) your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.\u201d<\/em> Hebrews 4:12, \u201cthe word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.\u201d <\/em>The Scriptures have inherent power to change us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; \u201cFor though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Battleground of our Minds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Our Weapons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How We Fight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n