“[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ…”~ II Corinthians 10:5 (AMPC)
REFERENCE:
II Corinthians 10:1-6 (AMPC)
Yesterday, we explored the fact that satan’s major attacks target the mind and why that is his battle strategy. Hence, we should mind our minds. In our main text, Paul describes the assaults on a Christian’s mind: “…Overthrow and destruction of strongholds, refute arguments, theories and reasonings, and all proud and lofty things that oppose the true knowledge of God.”
Let’s get a proper understanding of these satanic weapons of assault on the believer’s mind:
a. Stronghold: A place fortified to protect against attack or where a particular belief is strongly upheld. Strongholds are incorrect thinking patterns based on falsehood. Satan often deploys them against believers to control their feelings and emotions. If satan can plant a lie in a man’s mind, he can make him commit vile sins without guilt.
b. Argument: A reason or set of reasons to persuade others that an action or idea is right or wrong… (e.g., When you justify misdeed with, “Everybody is doing it.”). It is why the enemy wants control of the media by all means. The alternate truths it teaches are shaping the lives and stealing the destinies of many young people.
c. Theory: An idea suggested or presented as possibly accurate but not known to be true. (Suppositions or propositions). These thoughts question what you have always known to be true: “What if there is no hell? What if God made lesbians like that?” etc.
d. Imagination: The ability to imagine unreal things or form pictures of something you have not seen or experienced in your mind. Scroll through social media videos today, and you will be shocked by the number of sexual overtones you would have seen in 7 minutes. It is satan’s oldest trick – paint a picture that makes sin enticing. Eve saw that the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eyes…so she ate its fruit.”
You cannot have victory in spiritual warfare (of the mind) if you do not understand these and intentionally guard against them. Watch what you are watching. Challenge thoughts that try to undermine God’s word, and do not allow a hitherto untruth ever to become your truth.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Genesis 3:1-6, Matthew 4:8-10, and Galatians 1:6-9
PRAYER:
+ Lord, help me never to lose my guard against the wiles of satan. May I continually refresh and reset my mind and spirit man, with the word of God, in Jesus’ name.
