Satan’s strategy is to tempt us in the weakness of our flesh at our weakest moment. Each of us has individual weak points in reference to our flesh. Fortunately, we have learned that Jesus’s power is perfected in our weakness. Therefore, our human inadequacy offers an opportunity for God’s adequacy (2 Corinthians 3:5).
Our minds and hearts are the battlefield which the enemy tries to exploit, tempting us in an effort to win control of our thinking, emotions and, ultimately, our will. Many theologians define our soul as: “the center of our thinking, emotions and will”. Our senses (especially our eyes and ears) are the inlet to our souls. What we see, hear, think about and talk about can ultimately affect our behavior. Our thoughts can affect our emotions. Our emotions can affect our thoughts. They both can affect our will and, ultimately, our behavior.
When we become children of God, our spirits are made alive; and God resides in us. It is important for us, as Christians, to consider what we allow into our minds and what is happening in our hearts. The friends that we choose, the music that we listen to, the books that we read, the TV programs/movies that we view, the places that we go and the activities that we do have a huge impact on shaping our behavior.
According to 2 Corinthians 10:5, the apostle Paul strove to bring even his thought life as captive to Jesus! Beware: Satan’s goal is to neutralize our spiritual growth by convincing us to defile our mind, hearts and consciences—rendering us ineffective and unable to be used by God. It is very important that we walk by faith, being sensitive—listening and submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that we can use the world but not be entangled and bound together in the thinking and sinful behavior of the nonbelieving world.
Bible verses to read and think about:
A. Read Proverbs 23:7, Ephesians 4:17, Philippians 4:8, Titus 1:15,16, and 1 Peter 1:13-16. These verses convey that how we think affects the way that we act. We are to set our minds on God’s will but depend on God to work with and through us to carry it out. How might these Bible verses affect your decisions regarding which TV programs, movies, books, etc. that you utilize?
B. Read 2 Timothy 2:19-22, 1 Timothy 1:5, Hebrews 3:7-12, Mark 7:20-23, Matthew 15:18-20, and James 1:26. These verses encourage us to practice trusting God by faith and abstaining from sinful behavior. Sin is generated from within by our flesh. Whatever is filling our heart at the time is reflected by our speech. Our heart has to be filled with the Holy Spirit constantly so that our tongue can be controlled. This is a daily battle!
C. Our close friendships and close associations can be a major influence on the way that we think and, ultimately, the way that we behave. (See 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1.) We all need to pray that the Lord will lead us to friendships that will cause us to grow in His grace.
D. If we find ourselves, as believers, soiled by improper thought life, setting our hearts or minds on wrong things and violating our consciences in questionable areas; then what do we do to correct this problem? Read 1 John 1:9, Hebrews 4:16, and Hebrews 9:14. We have a great privilege as children of God regarding forgiveness of our sins. Because of Jesus, we have bold access to God’s throne for grace and mercy in time of need. Satan would want you to fear going to God and stay away from Him, causing you to commit another sin of unbelief! Don’t listen to his lie! Jesus beckons us to enter the forgiveness that He has provided! Keep short accounts with God to maintain a sound mind, pure heart and clear conscience before Him! He loves us and will not break off His lovingkindness or faithfulness when we fail.