We have something far richer and extremely valuable, actually priceless, with which to fill our hearts and minds and lives.
Can you believe it? The man was having an affair with his step-mother and the whole congregation knew about it. Paul said (1 Corinthians 5:1-5) to discipline this man. So they did and the man truly repented and turned away from that sin. But some Christians refused to forgive him and end the discipline. Unforgiveness opens the door for Satan to attack the mind. Does he see a welcome mat at the door of my mind or yours?
Dr. C. Swindoll pointed out (2 Corinthians 2:7-8, 2 Corinthians 2:11) that “unforgiveness gives Satan an advantage over us.” We need to be aware of his wiles and intentions to attack our minds with the goal of controlling them. We read (Ephesians 6:10-18) of the full armour of God. It is God’s armour but He will not put it on for us. The weapons of our warfare are not (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) man-made or human. We must have spiritual weapons to defeat Satan’s attack on our minds. If Satan is allowed to control the mind, then he controls thoughts, emotions and will.
But because our weapons are not fleshly, we can stand firm and be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Through God we can overthrow strongholds/fortresses which the devil is determined to erect in our minds. Obedient Christians (2 Corinthians 10:5) can refute arguments and false theories. We can conquer the temptation to proud and lofty things which oppose true knowledge of God. We can lead every thought and purpose away from Satan’s schemes and into the obedience of Christ. Godly character is formed by moral choices. Christians clad in the full armour of God and protected by the all-powerful Blood of Jesus are impregnable to the continual satanic attacks. Satan doesn’t particularly want you dead because you would be of no use to him. He would much prefer to destroy your testimony and crush your life, to have you deceived and sinning. Then you would be a great witness for the kingdom of darkness and a great aid to the prevalent mockery of Christianity. What would the suffering saints in the Persecuted Church think about my lifestyle and yours right now?
Of course, unforgiveness is not the only sin which gives the devil access to our minds but it is a big one because we can deceive ourselves that we are justified in our position and that attitude comes wrapped in thick layers of pride.
But Satan has a huge store of many other enticing allurements to infiltrate our minds. Just say that you were watching something or reading something or spending money on something - - and Jesus came right in the middle of it. Would you be proud and thankful for what you were watching, reading, spending? Jesus was right there all the time anyway. Are these the things we would be glad to take to the Judgment Seat of Christ? Do these things prove that (Colossians 3:2) our minds are set on things above. Remember – Satan is seeking mind control. We know that he will continue to tempt or attack but being aware of his tactics, we can immediately deal with whatever he attempts.
We have something far richer and extremely valuable, actually priceless, with which to fill our hearts and minds and lives. Have you ever taken time to meditate on the oneness, fellowship and relationship Divinity can have and desires to have with humans?
A couple of verses so familiar that maybe we don’t spend enough time on them but they are packed with eternal privilege, riches and spiritual blessings beyond words.
ONENESS (John 17:22) That they might be one as We are, You, Father, in Me and I in You and they in US.
FELLOWSHIP 1 John 1:3) Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ
SO THAT the world may know - - -
Oneness – fellowship – precious relationship of the Divine with humans. Let your mind expand on this glorious truth and you will be awed, thrilled and longing.
What tattered rag trifles of the world, the flesh and the devil would we want to hang on to and miss out on the grand possibility of precious, priceless, growing intimacy with the Sovereign Ruler of the universe? – ? - ?