We like to believe that we’re in charge of our life and that our thoughts are our own. Is that true or is our “mind” more vulnerable than we think? Is our mind territory that the devil targets? And is it possible for the devil to get inside our mind and give us thoughts? These are important questions that will be discussed in this article: The Battle for Your Mind.
There is much to understand about the spiritual realm and the battle we fight during our time on earth. The above questions reflect a small but critical part of the battle we face every day. This battle for our mind carries huge consequences or big benefits, depending on how we handle the attack when it happens. You may be surprised to know that it happens continually. Too many don’t realize there is a battle raging and simply assume that every thought that goes through their mind is their own. This can set someone up for great deception and manipulation.
God created mankind in His image… as spirit beings. We are a spirit. We have a soul (mind, will and emotion) and we live in a natural body temporarily (to interface with a natural world).
There is a powerful purpose for each of the three parts of us, and it is beneficial to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each part in order to overcome our enemy’s attacks effectively.
First, we are spirit. By being created as a spiritual being, we are eternal. Being a spirit being also allows us to communicate with God, our Creator. John 4:24 explains: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
If we are born-again, we have relationship and fellowship with God now and forever. If we die without being born-again, we will still live eternally, but in separation from God forever. Be aware that those who, knowingly or unknowingly, serve satan (who was also created as a spirit being), communicate with him through their spirit also.
The Spirit we receive when we are born-again, is the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Who comes to reside in us, in the form of the Holy Spirit. His goal is to help us throughout life by directing our choices (if we ask Him to). He comforts us, guides us, teaches us, and ministers to us. He also ministers through us to the world around us in a multitude of ways. One of the most important ministries of the Holy Spirit is to help us discern truth from deception. John 16:13 tells us: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;…”
Secondly, we have a soul, which is also eternal, and is the interface between our spirit and body. The soul contains our mind (our intellect), our will (choices), and our emotions (feelings). Our soul is the primary target of the devil while we live on this earth.
Why is our soul—and specifically our mind—so important to satan? Because it is our mind that gives us information from which we make choices. Satan cannot make choices for us. He must attempt to trick us through manipulation and deception to make the choice he wants us to make—a choice that gives him a foothold in our life. Likewise, God will not make choices for us. We are free agents who God has given the freedom of choice. But our choices are critical in opening or closing the door to satan and his agenda for us.
We are the prize in a spiritual tug-o-war. The Holy Spirit is speaking to our heart (spirit) and the devil is speaking to our mind (soul). If our mind is not renewed to know and agree with God, then the Bible calls us carnally minded, which influences us to listen to the thoughts in our mind and allow them to direct us. This can cause us to react with a carnal choice. However, if we are spirit-minded (renewed in our thinking), we listen with spiritual ears to the Holy Spirit and seek His guidance. When we follow His leading, we respond with a godly choice.
One of the ways to recognize whether we are being led by the Spirit or manipulated by satan is to identify whether we are “reacting” or “responding.”
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (emphasis mine).
Consider spending time in God’s Word each day to renew your thinking. And pray the prayer below daily to ask the Holy Spirit to prompt and guide you, no matter what you face.
PRAYER: Lord, “let this mind be in me which is in Christ Jesus!” Help me to not allow the media, the culture, or the influence of others, take my mind off of the Lord. Help me continually renew my mind to think and make choices in agreement with You and Your Word.
With God, nothing is impossible!
God bless you,
Dale and Paula Black
