Our response in Hard Times

The other Enemy

Turn with me to 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

The warfare of a Christian is not “against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12); therefore, carnal (weak, worldly) weapons will not suffice. None of us should use wealth, influence, prominence, power, position, fluency, cleverness or capabilities to accomplish our personal aims or objectives. We can only use weapons that are God-empowered (mighty in God). And their main purpose is for pulling down strongholds – anything that’s opposing God’s will in your life. But here the apostle Paul refers specifically to the warfare that is carried out in the mind. That is, the mental battle that rages against the clever reasoning’s of man, rebellious and pompous attitudes, and against humanistic pride that opposes the truth; namely those thoughts and points of view in the scheme of things that leave no room for God.

What the apostle Paul was saying is that you should never accommodate such thought patterns and never sign a truce with any arrogant self-centred arguments. Note, men’s arguments are usually centred on reason, and women’s arguments sometimes around emotions. Instead, we ought to be fully committed to tearing down strongholds and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. In the arena of the mind, your main aim and intention must be to bring every disobedient thought into obedience to Christ. All your thoughts, speculations and attitudes must be judged in the light of God’s word.

The principal battleground is in the mind. This is the arena of faith! If the devil can control your mind he can control every aspect of your existence. But you have a part to play in this. The enemy cannot come in and build a stronghold uninvited! And it can start with one little carnal thought. For when that thought is deliberately let loose it will source, find and stockpile similar thoughts. Then, brick by brick they come together to build a fortress in your mind. Remember this; meditation is the fertiliser that brings about rapid growth to anything that your mind has paid attention to - whether good or bad!

Many Christians constantly feed their reasoning’s, fantasies and vain imaginations through the process of meditation. You can also feed unforgiveness, bitterness, anger and resentment through meditation. Meditation can take an image present in your mind that has no concrete or objective reality and turn it into a powerful driving force. The problem is that this principle is not often used to the glory of God! When God commissioned Joshua He said, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you shall observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success” (Read Joshua 1:5-9).

You have the power to make your own success and secure your own prosperity. But in order to do this you must first meditate on God’s word and then purpose to obey it! Note it’s far easier to put something into practice (make it active) after you have meditated on it first! Meditation gives birth to desire; desire gives birth to energy; and energy leads to action. Turn to James 1:13-16… Remember this, when the carnal thoughts you have meditated on respond to outside enticement, sin is spawned! However, if you can control your thought life, you will produce healthy desires – desires that help propel you towards your destiny in God.

The Hebrew word for meditate means to reflect, to ponder or to contemplate something as one repeats the words. But in the English meditation means to consider something attentively, literally, to give attention to something in your mind.

The ancient Greek word implies ‘an undivided reasoning of thought’, but it can also be translated focused thoughts and imaginations.

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth.” The Bible is very clear concerning the things we should think on - those themes for thought. And Philippians 4:8 lists them so:

Whatever things are true – Genuine, honest, sincere, faithful, loyal, exact and correct
Whatever things are noble – Honourable, worthy of admiration, of high standards
Whatever things are just – Righteous, upright, impartial or undistorted
Whatever things are pure – Clean, spotless, unadulterated or absolute
Whatever things are lovely – Lovable, amiable, worthy of love, delightful, charming or beautiful
Whatever things are of good report – Deserving, gracious, kind or courteous
Whatever things have any virtue – Excellent, of merit, with moral goodness
Whatever things are praiseworthy – Commendable, recommendable

There is a lot to meditate on, should you choose to do so. But when you meditate on God’s word you are sure to think on all these things!

Notice who this passage ends with, “And the God of peace will be with you.” Implying that the God of peace cannot be with those who harbour evil desires or sinful or carnal thoughts. Therefore, if you can control your thought-life, the God of peace and the peace of God will fill your mind and your heart in Christ Jesus.

Chris Demetriou, 02/11/2008