There is a battle for your mind and your thoughts. Winning this battle is critical to experiencing and enjoying the peace, the freedom, and the victory God gave you through Jesus Christ.

THE THOUGHTS YOU THINK

As a Christ follower, YOU are equipped to win the war in your mind.

But you are going to have to be willing to engage in the battle over your mind.If you are going to live in greater levels of peace, freedom and victory, especially in the days we live in, you’re going to have to:

1. Think about what you are thinking about.

We have to get real with ourselves and with God - are the thoughts I am thinking aligned with God’s heart and his Word?

2. Learn to discern. Is this thought from God or the enemy, or my flesh? Does this mindset line up with what God’s word has to say about that area of my life?

The Greek word in 2 Corinthians 10 that we translate “take captive” is “Aichmalotizoa” and it is a military term. Literally, it means to hold something or someone captive at the tip of a sword or spear.

We know that the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit! (Ephesians 6:17) We take impure, unholy, unhelpful thoughts captive by using the Word of God.

3. Hire a Higher Thought

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The best way to win the battle over our mind is to fill it with God’s thoughts and His Words. It is nearly impossible to stop thinking of something unless we replace it - unless we “hire a higher thought.”

God has good thoughts and plans for you and towards you and we can begin to know them:

4. Fix your Focus.

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus.

Colossians 3:2 ESV Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

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

Isaiah 26:3 ESV You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Fix your focus on God’s thoughts; on His promise in that area of your life.

YOU are a Child of God, Created in His image.

You are the first and not the last, The head and not the tail.

You are chosen and You are loved.

In fact, You are His dearly beloved, The apple of his eye.

You are completely forgiven, washed clean, and made new.

Your sins are removed as far as the east is from the west.

You ARE the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, who always gives you the victory.

You are blessed when you’re coming and blessed when you’re going.

You are blessed in the city and you are blessed in the field.

He no longer calls you a servant but a friend.

And as you trust and obey God, everything you put your hands to shall prosper.

You are an ambassador of the Highest Kingdom, representing the King of all kings.

You are a co-heir with Christ, made part of the royal family of God.

You are sealed with His Spirit, You are Called by His Name.

You are a New creation in Christ Jesus and the Joy of the Lord is your strength!

You are God’s treasure, God’s workmanship, God’s masterpiece. The prized possession of all His creation.

You are chosen generation, a Holy nation, and a royal priesthood to God.

You’ve been Raised to life with Christ and seated in Heavenly places.

You will rule and reign with Him.

You’ve been given the mind of Christ.

You’re the salt and light of the world.

And in Christ, you have every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer.

You can do all things through Christ that strengthens you.

You are an overcomer, You are victorious.

In fact, so victorious that you are MORE than a conqueror!

And nothing, yes nothing - no sin, no fear, no darkness, no person, no demon, no sickness, not even death itself can ever separate YOU from the Love of God that YOU have in Christ Jesus!

If there is any thought that doesn’t align with those promises, take it captive using the sword that is God’s Word. Hire a higher thought and begin to meditate on what God thinks and says about you!

THE WORDS WE SPEAK

One reason that our thoughts are so important is because oftentimes thoughts become words. (And words shape actions. Actions become habits. Habits affect character, and character affects destiny.)

WORDS OF LIFE

Words have the power to build up and to tear down. As believers, we are called to use our words only to build up and encourage:

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

WORDS SHAPE OUR EXISTENCE AND EXPERIENCE

To change our words, we have to change our heart. When our heart is filled with grace, love, understanding, compassion, hope, and faith, in ways and measures that only God can give, our words will begin to line up with what is in our heart. Ask God to fill your heart with HIS heart, and He will begin to fill your mouth with HIS words - words of life!

WORDS OF FAITH

Mark 11:23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

Faith is not the absence of problems, it is the answer to the mountain, whatever it is in your life.

THE COMPANY YOU KEEP

The people you are around the most affect you more than you know - the way you think, the way you speak. You are influenced by the people around you.

In marriage and family, in business, in finances, in any area of life - be careful who you align yourself with. Choose wisely. And endeavor to be the kind of friend and influence that causes others to desire to draw nearer to Christ, because of the light that shines from within you.

And while the principle is true, don’t forget that people are not your source - the most important “company you keep” is your relationship with the Lord. While faithful, Godly friends and influences are a tremendous blessing, Jesus is the only one that will never leave you, never forsake you, and will never let you down.