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The Battle of The Mind

(AreYouWinningTheBattle?)

BillLoveless

ChristIsLifeMinistries

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Copyright © 2017 by Bill Loveless

All rights reserved. This book may not be copied or reprinted for a commercial gain or profit. The use or copying of this material for personal or group study is permitted.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version—Second Edition, copyright ©1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Website:www.christislifeministries.com

Email:bill@christislifeministries.com

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Do You Think About What You Think About?............. 4

CHAPTER ONE

The Battle and The Foundation For Winning The Battle……………………………………........................... 5

CHAPTER TWO

The Enemies In The Battle ………..…..……….…......… 13

CHAPTER THREE

The Results Of Not Fighting The Battle ……………….. 21

CHAPTER FOUR

Key Truths About The Battle Of The Mind……….....… 28

CHAPTER FIVE

Engaging God To Win The Battle In Your Mind.......… 33

CHAPTER SIX

Spiritual Warfare With Satan/Demons………….…..… 41

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INTRODUCTION

Do You Think About What You Think About?

Ihavebeenministeringforover15yearsandthroughoutthat time Ihavecome to theconclusion that thekey to livingout theChristian life is in largepartbasedonwhatyouthinkandbelieveistrue. Inlightofthis,thinkaboutthisstatementandthisquestion:

You will not live beyond what you THINK and BELIEVE.

Is what you THINK and BELIEVE the TRUTH?

Proverbs23:7bearsthisout:

“Asamanthinksinhisheartsoishe”

Basedon this truth,whatyou thinkaboutwilldeterminehow you live life. Have you ever thought about how manythoughts run through your mind every day? The count isapproximately50,000.Withthismanythoughtsaday,stopandponderthisquestion:

Do you THINK about what you think about?

ItisinterestingthelooksIgetwhenIaskthisquestiontoa

live audience. It is as if no one has ever asked them thisquestion. However, if we don't think about what we thinkabout then it is possible that many of those unexaminedthoughtsaredoinggreatharmtoourmindswhichmayleadtosinful,fleshlychoicesandbehaviors.

In addition to thinking about what we think about, we

must realize that there is a battle in our minds betweentruthful thoughts and sinful thoughts. Therefore, we willexploreinthisbookletthebattlethatisgoingoninourmindsandwhatitlooksliketoengageGodtowinthisbattle.

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CHAPTER ONE

The Battle and The Foundation For Winning The Battle

ThereIsANon-StopBattleForYourMind

There is a non-stop battle being waged in our minds

accordingtoRomans7:23:

“…Iseeanotherlawatworkinthemembersofmybody,wagingwaragainst………mymind.”Romans7:23

Concerningthebattleofthemind,pleaserememberthis:

There is not only a battle IN your mind, there is

a battle FOR your mind.

Thebattle“for”yourmindisonetocontrolwhatyouthink

bytheenemiesofyourmind.WewilltalkabouttheenemiesofyourmindinChapterTwo.TheBattle:God’sTruthVersusSinful,FleshlyThoughts

As I said in the introduction, thatbattle involvesachoicebetweenyouthinkingspiritual,truthfulthoughtsversussinful,fleshly thoughts. Another way of expressing this is that thebattle is between the truth and the lie. You may know John8:32whichsays:

“Andyouwillknowthetruthandthetruthwill

setyoufree.”John8:32WeknowthetruththatJohnisreferringtoisGod’struth.

ThegoodnewsisthatGod’struthwillsetusfree.Thinkabout

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theconverseofthisquestion

If the truth will set you free, what are the results

of LIVING from the LIE?

Continuing to live from the lie results in bondage to

yourfalsebeliefsandfleshlybehaviorsandwillkeepyoufromlivingTHEChristianlife.IknowthisistruebecauseIlivedaliefor thirty years concerning living THE Christian life with theresultthatIcontinuallylostthebattleformymindandIstayedin bondage tomy false beliefs. Therefore, Iwant to start thisstudy with the foundational truth that is essential tounderstandinordertowinthebattleforyoumind.

TheFoundationForWinningTheBattleofTheMind

The FOUNDATION for winning the battle of the mind is

UNDERSTANDING and LIVING “THE” Christian life.

Unfortunately,noonetoldmewhatTHEChristianlifewas

untilIhadbeenaChristianfor30years.WhatIwastoldatthebeginningofmyChristianwalkwasthatitwasuptomewithGod’shelptolivetheChristianlife.Inotherwords,Iwastousemy ability, intellect, willpower, and self-discipline to live asuccessfulChristianlife.

Icall this formof livingtheChristian life“A“ life. Itwasa

“self-sufficient,Godhelpme”Christianlife.IwastoldthatTHEChristianlifewasaboutme:

• Tryingtokeepasetofrules.• TryingtokeepGod’scommands.• Tryingtochangeortransformmyself.

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• Tryingtostopsinning.• Tryingsetmyselffree.• TryingtoproducethefruitoftheSpirit

I“tried”for30yearstodothesethingsbecauseIbelieved

itwasthetruth.Theproblemisthatthe“truth”thatIwastoldwasactuallyalie(falsebelief).Iamnotsayingthatthepersonwhosharedthesethingswithmewasintentionallylyingtome.Hewasonlysharingwithmewhathebelievedtobetrue.

However, after 30 years of living “A” Christian life, I

experienced no victory, no freedom, no healing of my deepwoundedness and no spiritual transformation. In fact, overthosethirtyyearsmysinstrongholdsoffear,anxiety,rejectionandunworthiness actually gotworse. In addition, I was losing the battle in my mind because I was told that it was up to me to win it. Thesewere thedevastating consequencesofmy livingfromalieorafalsebeliefinsteadoflivingfromthetruth.

However, in 1998 I heard the truth about living “THE”

ChristianlifefromamannamedIanThomas.Whenhecametospeak at my church these were the first words out of hismouth:

God NEVER intended for YOU to live “THE” Christian life

that ONLY CHRIST can live in and through you

The truth is that I can’t live THE Christian life. Only ChristcanbecauseHeistheonlyOnecapableoflivingit.Lookatthefollowingscripturethatbackthisup:

“…IAMtheway,thetruth,andtheLIFE…”John14:6

“…IAMtheresurrectionandtheLIFE.”John11:25

“Forme,toliveISChrist….”Philippians1:21

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“HeistheSOURCEofyourlifeinChristJesus,whobecameforuswisdomfromGod,andrighteousnessandsanctificationandredemption.”1Corinthians1:30(RSV)

TheLordrevealedtomethroughtheseversesthatthereisonly One Person who can live THE Christian life and that isChristwho isTHELife.Yousee, Iwas told tobe the “source”withGod’shelptoliveTHEChristianlife.However,weseein1Corinthians1:30thatthereisonlyOneSourceandthatisJesus.

AsIbegantolearn,believe,andwalkinthetruththatonlyChrist can live THE Christian life, my life began to radicallychange.Godbegan to setme free frommysin strongholdsoffear,anxiety,rejection,andunworthiness.HetransformedmetoapointthatIcouldforgivemyfatherwhoseverelywoundedmethroughphysical,emotional,andverbalabuse.Thebottomlineisthis:

The LIE kept me in bondage with no transformation.

The TRUTH set me free and transformed my life.

Therefore, the battle is between God’s truth and thelies/falsebeliefs.

[Note:IfyouarehearingaboutChristbeingTHEChristianlifefor the first time, I have materials on our website(www.christislifeministries.com) that explain this truthfurther. Under the Discipleship Booklets tab you will find abooklet called “A” Life? Or “THE” Life. I also have anotherbookletandcurriculumcalled“LivingLifeFromANewSource”under the Discipleship tab. These resources will give you adeeperunderstandingof“THE”Christianlife].

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HowDoesGodBeingMySourceApplyToTheBattleForMyMind?

Theanswertothequestionisthis:

God will be the SOURCE to WIN the battle for your mind.

In addition to God being the Source to meet your needsand make His promises a reality in your life, He is also theSource to win the battle in your mind. We see this in John16:13.

“ButwhenHe,theSpiritoftruth,comes,Hewillguideyouintoallthetruth;forHewillnotspeakonHisowninitiative,

butwhateverHehears,Hewillspeak;andHewilldisclosetoyouwhatistocome.”John16:13

AsyourSourcetowinthebattleforyourmind,theHolySpiritwill:

1. TeachyouGod’struth.2. MakeGod’struthbecomerevelationtoyou.3. RenewyourmindtobelieveGod’struth.4. RemindyouofGod’struthinthemidstofthebattle.5. Overpowertheenemiesinthebattleofthemind.

More importantly, it is the Holy Spirit who will take your

thoughts CAPTIVE.

Whycan’twewinthisbattle?

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WhyCan’tYouWinTheBattleForYourMind?

LookatthelastpartofJohn15:5whichanswersthisquestion:

“apartfromMeyoucandonothing,”

When I teach this verse in a conference, the question Ialways ask is, “What does nothing mean?” The answer issimple: Nothing. In reference to the battle of the mind,“nothing”meansthatapart fromthepowerof theHolySpirit,youcannotwinthebattleofthemind.

Here are some other key reasons why we need the HolySpirittodobattleforus:

• Wecanbedeceivedinourthinking• Wecan’tdiscernbetweenthetruthfulthoughtsandthe

lyingthoughts.• Wehave takenownershipof thoughts thatdonot line

upwithGod’s truth for so long that theyhavebecomereinforcedfalsebeliefs.

• OurfinitemindsarenomatchforthethoughtsinsertedintoourmindsbythefleshandSatan/demons.

I hope that this section helps you understand that apartfrom thepowerof theHoly Spirit,wehaveno chance towinthebattle.However,youdohaveaparttoplayinthebattle.

WhatIsYOURPartInWinningTheBattle?

Even though God is the One who will win the battle foryourmind,youhaveavitalparttoplayinthebattle.Let’slookatthefirstpartJohn15:5togiveyouabetterideaofwhatyourpartis:

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“IAMtheVINE,youarethebranches;hewhoabidesinMe,andIinhim,hebearsmuchfruit…”John15:5a

Jesusissayingthatasthephysicalbranchisdesignedtobetotally dependent on the physical vine for life, you, as aspiritual branch, are designed to live totally dependent uponGod, the spiritual Vine, for living life. The word “abide” isanotherwordfordependence. It is importanttounderstandatthispointaverykeytruth:

God created man to be DEPENDENT upon Him.

His design from the beginning was for you

to DEPEND on Him.

Adam and Eve, before the Fall, were totally dependentupon God to meet their every need. God reveals thisdependencyaswellinJohn15:5.AsweabideinChrist,wearelivingdependentlyuponHim.

Why do you think that Jesus uses the example of thebranch and vine? What happens to the branch when it isseparatedfromthevine?Itbeginstodiebecauseitisnolongerabidinginorlivingdependentuponthevineforlife.Ifyou,asaspiritualbranch,decide to try to live independentlyofChrist,thespiritualVine, thenwhatcanyouexpect?Thesameholdstruewhenitcomestothebattleofyourmind.Hereisyourpartinthebattle:

Your Part In The Battle:

Live with an ATTITUDE of TOTAL DEPENDENCE on

God as the SOURCE to OVERPOWER your enemies

in the battle and to win the battle in your mind.

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Summary

Let’slookatthekeypointsofthischapter.

• Thereisanon-stopbattleINandFORyourmind.

• ThebattleisBETWEENGod’struthandsinful,fleshlythoughts.

• UnderstandingandlivingTHEChristianlifeisthefoundationforwinningthebattleofthemind.

• CHRIST,notyou,istheonlySOURCEtowinthebattle.

• OnlythroughTOTALDEPENDENCEontheLordcanyouwinthebattleofthemind.

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CHAPTER TWO

The Enemies In The Battle

Introduction

Oneofthekeyaxiomsofwarfareistoknowyourenemy.Itis no different with the battle of the mind. It is essential infighting the battle of the mind to know your enemies. Butbefore we discuss the enemies, let me give you a diagramillustrating and explainingman’smakeup. Iwill be using thisillustration fromthispoint forwardto talkabout thebattleofthemind.

BODY

BODY

SOUL

The Makeup of Man 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Human spirit

MIND EMOTIONS

WILL

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God’sDesignOfMan

1Thessalonians5:23revealstousGod’sdesignofman:

“NowmaytheGodofpeaceHimselfsanctifyyouentirely;andmayyour(human)spiritandsoulandbodybepreserved

complete....”Parenthesismine

(We know that spirit in this verse refers to human spiritbecauseitisspiritwithasmall“s.”)

This verse reveals that man is a three-part being. We aremadeupofabody,asoul,andahumanspirit.

Body–Thebodyrepresentsthephysicalbodyorthatpartofyouwhichisseen.Thisishowyourelatetothephysicalworld.Thisistheplaceofyourfivesenses.Thisisthedwellingplaceof the next two parts of your being: the soul and the humanspirit.Theymaybealittlemoredifficulttounderstandbecausetheyareunseen.Thebodywillpassaway,butthesoulandthespiritareeternal.

Soul–Thesoul isyourpersonalityor thepsychologicalpartof you through which you relate to people and to thecircumstances of life. The soul is made up of your mind(Proverbs 23:7), will (1 Corinthians 7:37a), and emotions(Luke10:33).

Human spirit – The third part of your being is your humanspirit.WhenGodsaid inGenesis1:26 thatHecreatedman inHislikeness,HemeantthatHecreatedmanfirstandforemostasa“spirit”being.John4:24revealsthatwe,asspiritbeings,canworshipGod:

“GodisSpirit,andthosewhoworshipHimmustworshipinspiritandtruth.”

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InadditiontoworshipingGodfromourhumanspirit,itisalsofromourhumanspiritthatwelearnfromGod(Job32:8);communewithHim(Psalm51:12);receiveHisrevelationandwisdom (Ephesians 1:17); and,most importantly, are able tohave an intimate relationship with God (Romans 8:16).However,thisabilitytohaveanintimatespiritualrelationshipwith God is only available after you received the Holy Spiritwho is in union with your human spirit, which began at thepointyoutrustedChristbyfaithforsalvation.

ThehumanspiritisnottobeconfusedwiththeHolySpiritbecause all people have a human spirit from birth. It is onlythrough acceptance of Christ that someone’s human spiritcomes alive to God through theHoly Spirit’s unionwith thathumanspirit.

WhoAreTheEnemiesInTheBattle?

Therearefourenemiesinthebattleofthemind:theflesh,the power of sin, Satan/demons, and the world. Let meillustratetheseenemiesusingthemakeupofmandiagram.

SOUL

BODY

The Enemies In The Battle

WILL Makes choices

based on thoughts

EMOTIONS Emotions tied to

thoughts

MIND Thoughts

Power of Sin

FLESH

Human spirit

SATAN

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As you can see from the diagram, you are beingbombarded internally and externally with negative thoughtsfromtheseenemiesthatproduceemotionalreactionslinkedtothose thoughts. If you accept,without examining them, thesethoughts and their resulting emotions, they will negativelyinfluence your will and cause you to make fleshly choices.Before going further, let’s gain some insight into these fourenemiesofourminds.

Enemy#1–TheFLESH

“Themindsetonthefleshisdeath,butthemindsetontheSpiritislifeandpeace.”Romans8:6

Letmefirstdefinetheflesh:

The FLESH is an INDEPENDENT attitude or pattern of

behavior within you that says, “I can, APART from

God, solve my problems, meet my needs, and

resolve my internal and external problems.

Livingfromthe“flesh”resultsinfleshlythinkingwhichsays:

• Icanbeincontrol.• Icanmeetmyneeds.• Icanhandleorovercomeallofmyproblems.• Icandealwitheverycircumstanceconcerningmy

marriage,family,job,finances,etc.• Icanbeasuccess.• Icancontrolmythoughts.

Living from the fleshwill always bring our focus back to

self resulting in a constant battle between the flesh and theSpirit.WeseethisbattleinGalatians5:17:

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“ForthefleshsetsitsdesireagainsttheSpirit,andtheSpiritagainsttheflesh;fortheseareinoppositiontooneanother,

sothatyoumaynotdothethingsthatyouplease.”Galatians5:17

Whatwillbetheoutcomeofthisbattleifwelivefromtheflesh versus living from the Spirit?Wewill not do the thingsthat we please (i.e., be dependent on the Spirit, walk in theSpirit, live from the Spirit). Paul makes this flesh/SpiritstruggleverypersonalinRomans7:15:

“ForthatwhichIamdoing,Idonotunderstand;forIamnotpracticingwhatIwouldliketodo,butIamdoingthevery

thingIhate.”Romans7:15

What we “would like to do” is to live dependently onChrist.However,thefleshislikethewolfatthedoorreadytodragusbacktoselfwhichproduceswhatPaulcalls,“theverythingIhate.”

Ifyouchoosetolivefromfleshlythinking,wherewillthatlead?Romans8:6tellsusthatitleadsto“death:”

“..themindsetonthefleshisDEATH,butthemindsetontheSpiritislifeandpeace.”

This“death”isdefinedinStrong’sLexiconas“themiseryofoursoulasaresultofsin.” IfyoucontinuetothinkandliveindependentlyofGod,theinevitableresultwillbe“misery” inyoursoul.

Concerningthebattleofthemind,theproblemwithlivingfromthefleshisthis:

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It leads to fleshly THINKING which will result in ONGONG

defeat and misery in the battle for your mind.

Enemy#2-ThePOWERofSIN

“ButifIamdoingtheverythingIdonotwish,Iamnolongertheonedoingit,but(thepowerof)sinwhichdwellsinme.”

Romans7:20(Parenthesismine)

Whatisthepowerofsin?

The power of sin is an INTERNAL power in your SOUL

that CONSTANTLY seeks to draw you away God

or tempt you to sin.

Thepowerofsinisinpartnershipwithyourflesh.Togiveyou a picture of how they work together, imagine eating atyourfavoriterestaurant.Theserverbringsyouthedesserttraywithallofyourfavoritedesserts.Youcan’tresist,soyoutakeoneormoreofthedesserts.Thepowerofsin istheserver inthis example, and the desserts are your fleshly thoughts. Thepower of sin is always servingup fleshly thoughts for you tochoosetolivefrom.

Akeytruthinunderstandingthepowerofsinisthatyourwillpower is no match for the power of sin. Livingindependentlyof theHolySpirit’spowerwillalwaysresult indefeat by the power of sin with the result that you willconsistentlylosethebattleinyourmind.

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Enemy#3-SATANandHisDEMONICForces

“Forourstruggleisnotagainstfleshandblood,butagainsttherulers,againsttheauthorities,againstthepowersofthisdarkworldandagainstthespiritualforcesofevilinthe

heavenlyrealms.”Ephesians6:12

“….forhe(Satan)isaliarandthefatheroflies.”John8:44(Parenthesismine)

Weare ina fiercebattlewithSatanandhisdemons.Theseenemies are formidable foes. The problem is that we aredealingwithanunseenenemywhoknowstheBiblealltoowellandwhatGodcanandwilldoinourlivesifwewalkbyfaith. Consequently, Satan and his demons’ objectives are topreventusfromwalkingbyfaith,experiencingtransformation,and developing a personal, intimate relationship with God.Satan’s strategy is summedup in threewords in John 10:10:steal,kill,anddestroy.

He accomplishes his strategy through inserting fleshly,

tempting, condemning, etc. thoughts in your mind.

Enemy#4-TheWORLD

“Seetoitthatnoonetakesyoucaptivethroughhollowanddeceptivephilosophy,whichdependsonhumantraditionandthebasicprinciplesofthisworldratherthanonChrist.”

Colossians2:8

“Forallthatisintheworld,thelustofthefleshandthelustoftheeyesandtheboastfulprideoflife,isnotfromtheFather,

butisfromtheworld.” 1John2:16

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Turn on the TV, pick up a newspaper, or read amagazineandyouare immediatelybombardedby theworld’s thinking.RememberthatSatanisthegodofthisworld,andheisusingall that the world offers to tempt you to try to compare, tosucceed, to win, to be strong, to be self-sufficient, and, mostimportantly,tobeindependent.Itistheonlymessagethatyouwillevergetfromtheworld.Why?Allthattheworldcanserveuptoyou,asitsaysin1John2:16,isthelustoftheflesh,thelustoftheeyes,andtheboastfulPRIDEoflife.

Inaddition,worldevents,politicians,etc.,caninvokefearful,angry and anxious thoughts. I know Christians that can’t getpasttheirangeraboutwhatthegovernmentisdoingorisnotdoing. They let politicians and governmental action (orinaction)stealtheirpeaceandrestinChrist.Theyarestuckin“wallowing” in their “stinking” thinking. I believe that wewouldbesurprisedtoknowhowdeeplyourcultureinfluencesourthoughtlifeandhowmuchitcantriggerfleshlythoughtsoflust,anger,anxiety,etc.

Nowthatwehaveidentifiedtheenemiesofthebattlelet’slookattheconsequencesifwesuccumbtotheseenemies.

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CHAPTER THREE

The Results Of Not Fighting The Battle

Introduction

Nowthatweunderstand the fourenemies in thebattle, Iwantto lookattheconsequencesofnotengagingGodtotakeourfleshlythoughtscaptive.

The enemies of your mind will insert fleshly, sinfulthoughts into yourmind. Unchecked, these thoughts becomereinforcedandwilleventuallybecomefalsebeliefs.Outofyourfalse beliefs flow fleshly behaviors which can eventuallybecomesinstrongholds.Thefollowingdiagramillustratestheprogressionfromfleshlythoughtstosinstrongholds.

False Beliefs

Fleshly, Sinful Thoughts

STRONGHOLDS

Fleshly Behaviors

Flesh, Power of Sin, Satan/Demons, The World

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Let’sfirstlookatwhatflowsfrombeinginfluencedbyourflesh,thepowerofsin,Satan,andtheworld.

1.FLESHLYTHOUGHTS

Since all of our sinful thoughts flow from our flesh, let’slookatsomeofthetypesoffleshlythoughts.

a. Lying Thoughts – Any thought that contradicts God’struth.

Lying thoughts primarily come from your false beliefsaboutyourself,God,andlivingtheChristianlife.(Iwilldiscussfalsebeliefslaterinthislesson.)

Exampleofalyingthought:“Iamunworthyandrejectable.”

b.DeceivingThoughts-ThoughtsthatcomeinfirstpersonthataredesignedtodeceiveusandkeepusfromwalkingbyfaithinGod’struth.

Deceiving thoughts primarily come from Satan and hisdemonic forces. They are deceiving because they comedisguisedinfirstpersonandsoundlikeyou.

Exampleof adeceiving thought: “I have the right to rejectthatpersonforwhattheysaidtome.”

c.TemptingThoughts-thoughtsthattemptyoutoliveoutofyourflesh.

Tempting thoughts are thoughts usually attached to ourfalsebeliefsandourdefeatingsinpatterns.Sincewearemostsusceptible in these two areas, tempting thoughts will mostlikelybecenteredaroundthem.

Example:“Icouldfudgeonmytaxesandnoonewouldknow.”

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d.CondemningThoughts–thoughtsthatproduceguilt,shame,orself-condemnation.

We tend to experience these thoughts afterwe commit asin.Insteadofrepentingofitandmovingonwetendtowallowinguilt,shame,andcondemnation.Thesekindsofthoughtsarea favorite from Satan. He loves for you to wallow in thesecondemningthoughts.

Example:“Ican’tbelieveIrejectedthatpersonagain.Ifeelsoashamed.”

Thesearejustafewexamplesofthemultiplethoughtsthatbombardyourmindthroughouttheday.Ifthesethoughtsarenot taken captive then eventually they become false beliefs.Here is a visual that illustrates the battleground of ourthoughts.

LYING

CONDEMNING

DECEITFUL DECEITFUL

CONDEMNING

TEMPTING LYING TEMPTING

THE BATTLEGROUND! TEMPTING

CONDEMNING LYING

TEMPTING

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2.FALSEBELIEFS

What flows out of recurring fleshly thoughts are falsebeliefs about ourselves, God, others, and living the Christianlife.Idefineafalsebeliefasfollows:

A FALSE belief is any belief that does NOT line up

with God’s truth.

a.Howfalsebeliefsareformed.

A key truth to understand in the formation of your falsebeliefs is that they all beganwith one fleshly thought. If youtakeownershipofthatthoughtandcontinuetakingownershipof similar fleshly thoughts they will start accumulatingeventuallyresultinginafalsebelief.

Building false beliefs is much like building a brick wall.

Eachbrick laid represents a fleshly thought that is being laidontopofanotherthoughtuntilafalsebeliefisformed.Lookatthe following diagram to get a picture of what I am talkingabout.

Fleshly Thought

Fleshly Thought Fleshly

Thought Fleshly Thought

Fleshly Thought

Fleshly Thought

Fleshly Thought

Fleshly Thought

FALSE BELIEF

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Let’s look at an example of how false beliefs are formed.Let’sassumeyouhadarejectingfather.Overandoveragainhewouldsayrejectingremarkslike,“YouareafailureorYoucan’tdoanythingright.”Theveryfirstrejectingstatementfromyourfatherhadnolonglastingimpact.

However,ashecontinuedrejectingyou,thethoughtcame

tomindthatsaid,“IamrejectableorIamafailure.”Eachtimetherecurringthoughtcametominditstartedconnectingtotheprevious thoughts resulting in your believing you wererejectableandafailure.

3.FLESHLYBEHAVIORS

“Nowtheworksofthefleshareobvious:fornication,impurity,licentiousness,idolatry,sorcery,enmities,strife,

jealousy,anger,quarrels,dissensions,factions,envy,drunkenness,carousing,andthingslikethese…...”

Galatians5:19-21a

Out of your false beliefs will flow fleshly attitudes orfleshlybehaviorslikethoselistedinGalatians5:19-21.

Fleshlybehaviorsandattitudescomeintwoforms:positivefleshandnegativeflesh.Belowaresomeexamplesofnegativeandpositiveflesh.

Examples of NEGATIVE flesh: anger, inadequacy,unforgiveness,envy,controlling,fear,worry

Examples of POSITIVE flesh: self-confidence, self-reliance,self-sufficiency,success,stronginself

Note:Positivefleshishardertorecognizebecauseitcanlookveryappealing,butitisstilltheflesh.Thekeywordindefiningpositivefleshis“self.”

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Let’s goback to thepreviousexampleof thepersonwiththe rejecting father. Your false beliefs were that you wererejectable and a failure. From those beliefs will flow fleshlybehaviors.Sincethesewerepartofmyfalsebeliefs,thefleshlybehaviors that flowed out of my false beliefs were anger,unforgiveness, being critical of others, andenvy.Throughmyfalse beliefs, my fleshly behaviors were toxic to me andeveryonearoundme.However,theproblemonlygotworseasyouwillseeinthenextsection.

4.STRONGHOLDS

Once a false belief is formed, every time that thoughtcomes into yourmind it reinforces your falsebeliefs. If thesefalse beliefs are reinforced long enough, they becomestrongholds.Isimplydefineastrongholdas:

A REINFORCED false belief that is so strong that

apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, you will

NOT be set free from it.

Thebadnews getsworsebecause the fleshpatterns thatgrowoutofthesestrongholdsresultinfleshlystrongholds.Asmy false beliefs continued to be reinforced, my fleshlybehaviors of being rejectable, angry, unforgiving, and criticalbecame deep-seated strongholds. (Another form ofstrongholdsisaddictions.)

Summary

Let’ssummarizethislessonbylookingatwhathappensinthesoulwhenwedon’tengageGodtofightandwinthebattleinourminds.

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YoucanseefromthisdiagramthatifwedonotengageGodtofightthebattleinourmindsitleadsto:

• takingownershipofourfleshlythoughts• taking ownership of fleshly emotions tied to those

fleshlythoughts,• whicheventuallyresultinfalsebeliefs• thatproducefleshlychoicesandfleshlybehaviors,• whichovertimeproduceofsinstrongholds.

Ihopethischapterwasasoberingone.Ifyoufindyourselfexperiencingasinstronghold(s),thegoodnewsisthatyoucanbesetfree.However,thiscanonlyhappenifyoufirstlearnandthenengageGodtowinthebattleforyourmind.

SOUL

BODY

The Results Of Not Fighting The Battle of The Mind

WILL Makes fleshly

choices

EMOTIONS Fleshly emotions

tied to fleshly thoughts

MIND Fleshly

Thoughts

Human spirit

Fleshly Behaviors STRONGHOLDS

False Beliefs

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CHAPTER FOUR

Key Truths About The Battle Of The Mind

Introduction

Now that we know there is a battle and we know theenemies that we face in the battle and the results of notengaging in the battle, let’s look at some key truths aboutwinningthebattleofthemind.

Truth#1-TheVICTORInTheBattleLivesWithinYou.

Thegoodnewsaboutwinningthebattleofthemindisthis:

The VICTOR of the battle for your mind lives within you.

The victor is the HOLY SPIRIT.

WeseetheHolySpiritastheVictorinRomans8:13:

“forifyouarelivingaccordingtotheflesh,youmustdie;butifbytheSpirityouareputtingtodeaththedeedsofthebody,

youwilllive.”Romans8:13

GodknewthatwithoutHispowerindwellingus,wewouldnever overcome the power of the flesh, the power of sin, orSatan/demons.

AsyourVictortheHolySpiritwill:

• TeachyouGod’struth.–John14:26• MakeGod’struthbecomerevelationtoyou.-1

Corinthians2:12

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• RenewyourmindtobelieveGod’struth.–Romans12:2• Discernthetruthfulversuslyingthoughts.-1

Corinthians2:11• RemindyouofGod’struthinthemidstofthebattle.–

John14:26• Overpoweryourenemiesinthisbattle.Galatians5:16• Takeyourfleshlythoughtscaptive.–2Corinthians10:5

There is NO victory in the battle of the mind apart from

PARTICIPATING WITH and ENGAGING the Holy Spirit

TRUTH#2-TheBattleForTheControlofYourMindWillLastALIFETIME.

I wish I could tell you that there is a point in yourChristianwalkthatthebattlewillbeoverbutthetruthisthatthisbattle lastsa lifetime.The reasonbeing is thatwe live infallenbodiesinfluencedbyourflesh,theworldandSatan.Theyarenotgoingawayuntilwedie.ThatiswhywemustengageinthebattleandlearnhowtoengageGodtofightthisbattle.

TRUTH#3-WhoWinsThisBattleWillDetermineWhetherOr Not You Will Experience A TRANSFORMED And AnABUNDANTLife(ornot).

“butthanksbetoGod,whogivesusthevictorythroughourLordJesusChrist.”1Corinthians15:57

I see somanyChristians living in “defeat” in themidstofvictory. Jesusnotonlywonourvictoryat thecross,He isourvictorymomentbymoment.ThekeyisunderstandinghowtoliveFROMthevictorywealreadyhave.

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Therefore, as we continue to engage God, we will betransformed.Ifwedon'tengageGodtowinthisbattlethenwewillneverexperienceatransformedorabundantlife.

TRUTH#4 – ThereWill Be CONSEQUENCESTo LOSINGTheBattleInYourMind.

Ifwe don’t engage in the battle, then this iswhatwe canexpect:

• NOpoweroveryoursin.• NOvictoryoveryourfleshlybehaviors.• NOfreedomfromyourdefeatingsinpatterns.• NOhealingofyourpastorpresentwoundedness.• NOfruitoftheSpiritproducedinyourlife.

EachoftheseconsequencesrepresentsapromisethatGod

madeusasweliveinmomentbymomentdependenceonHim.Asaresultofnot fighting thebattleyouwill loseoutoneverexperiencingGod’spromises.Anotherconsequenceisthatyouwill harden your heart towards God which means that yourresistance towards God and the work of the Holy Spirit totransformyourlifewillgrow.

TRUTH #5 - As A Christian You Have Three SPIRITUALFILTERSToWinTheBattle

AsaChristianyouhavethree“spiritualfilters”youcanusetodiscernwhetherthethoughtsinyourmindaretruthorlies.Let’slookatthosetwofilters.

FILTER#1–GOD’SWORD

We see the power and the necessity of God’s word inHebrews4:12:

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“ForthewordofGodislivingandactiveandsharperthananytwo-edgedsword,andpiercingasfarasthedivisionofsoulandspirit,ofbothjointsandmarrow,andabletojudgethe

thoughtsandintentionsoftheheart.”Hebrews4:12

One of the key reasons that we learn God’s Word isbecauseitisavitalfilterconcerningourthoughtlife.Theword“judge” inHebrews4:12means“todiscern.”Therefore,aswelearn God’s word we will be able to discern or filter ourthoughts and determine whether or not they are truthfulthoughtsorsinful,fleshlythoughts.

Filter#2-YouHaveTheMINDOFCHRIST

“…wehavethemindofChrist.”1Corinthians2:16b

Paul gives us an amazing promise in 1 Corinthians 2:16.You, as a Christian, possess themind of Christ!What does itmean to have themind of Christ? Having themind of Christmeans that you have constant access to the Christ’swisdom,discernment,understanding,andrevelation.

WhatthismeanstoyouasaChristianisthatyounolongerhavetotrytouseyourfinitemindordiscernmenttofigureoutwhetherornotyourthoughtsarethetruthornot.Ratheryoucan draw on Christ’s discernment,wisdom, etc. to filter yourthoughts.

FILTER#3-TheHOLYSPIRIT

“ButwhenHe,theSpiritoftruth,comes,Hewillguideyouintoallthetruth;forHewillnotspeakonHisowninitiative,

butwhateverHehears,Hewillspeak;andHewilldisclosetoyouwhatistocome.”John16:13

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JustknowingthewordofGodintellectuallyisnotenough.Biblical information must become revelation and that isaccomplished by the Holy Spirit. Revelation means that theHoly Spirit supernaturally takes His truth and makes itunderstandableandapplicabletoyouandyourlifesituations.Lookatthefollowingversesthatbearthisout:

“butGodhasrevealedittousbyhisSpirit.TheSpiritsearchesallthings,eventhedeepthingsofGod.”1Corinthians2:10

Why must Biblical truth move from just information torevelation?

Spiritual REVELATION creates a SPIRITUAL filter for your thoughts.

Let’susethetruththatyouhavethemindofChristasanexample.Foryearswhen I read1Corinthians2:16 that IhadthemindofChrist,Ihadnoclueastowhatthatmeant.Sinceitwas information and not revelation, it did me no goodpractically.However,whentheHolySpiritrevealedtomethathaving the mind of Christ means that I have Christ’sdiscernment, wisdom, etc. then I began drawing Christ’sdiscernmenttodiscernmythoughts.

Summary

Letmesummarizethekeytruthsinthislesson:

1. TheVictor,theHolySpirit,liveswithinyou.2. Thebattleforyourmindwilllastalifetime.3. Whowinsthisbattlewilldeterminewhetherornot

yourlifewillbetransformed.4. Thereareconsequencestolosingthebattle.5. Youhavethreespiritualfilters:wordofGod,mindof

Christ,andtheHolySpirit.

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CHAPTER FIVE

Engaging God To Win The Battle In Your Mind

Introduction

Inthischapter,wewilllookatsomekeytruthsinwinningthebattleofthemind.Keepinmindthatthisisnotachecklist.Thesearepractical,applicational truths thathopefullywillbeofhelpinengagingGodtowinthebattleinyourmind.

1.TakeINVENTORYOfWhatYouAreThinkingAbout.

“Asamanthinksinhisheart,soishe.”Proverbs23:7

Remember when I asked you the question in theintroduction,“Doyouthinkaboutwhatyouthinkabout?”Thisisthefirststepinwinningthebattleofthemind.Therefore,weneedtostarttakinganinventoryofwhatwethinkabout.Hereisanexampleofwhatthatinventorylookslike:

• Whataremyrecurringfleshlythoughts?• What thoughtsofminearereinforcingmy falsebeliefs

aboutGod,others,myself,andlivingtheChristianlife?• What thoughts of mine are leading to my fleshly

behaviors?

Aswetakeinventory,sometimesthethoughtsthatneedtobe taken captive are obvious.However, sincewe can deceiveourselvesinourthinking,weneedtoengageGodtorevealoursinful,fleshlythoughts.Hereisanexampleofwhatthatmightlooklike.

Step of Faith: “Lord, I am drawing on Your discernment toreveal those recurring thoughts that are reinforcingmy falsebeliefsandareresultinginfleshlybehaviors.”

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2.SeekTheLordToGiveYouAnAWARENESSOfTheFleshlyThoughtsComingIntoYourMind

“…ISEEanotherlawatworkinthemembersofmybody,wagingwaragainstthelawofmymind.”Romans7:23

(Emphasismine)

Paul’swords “I SEE” tell us that hewas aware that therewasabattlethatwasbeingwagedinhismind.What“Isee”istoo many Christians that are not aware of the battle that isgoing on in their thought life.Whenwedonot recognize thebattle,itleavesusvulnerableinmanyways:

• It leaves us vulnerable to Satanic/demonic forcesinsertinglying,condemning,andtemptingthoughtsintoourminds.

• Wewilltendtotakeownershipofthoughtsthatneedtobetakencaptive.

• Taking ownership of lying thoughts will reinforce ourlying/falsebeliefs.

• Taking ownership of thoughts that should be takencaptive will lead us to fleshly living and fleshlybehaviors.

• Wewilllosethebattle.

Therefore, we must constantly seek the Lord to give us“spiritual”eyestoseethenon-stopbattlethatisraginginourthoughtlife.Let’slookatanexampleofastepoffaithtoengageGod for a greater awareness of the battle and what we arethinking.

Step of Faith: “Lord, I am asking You to give me a greaterawareness of what I am thinking. Expose any thinking thatdoesnotlineupwithYourtruth.Giveme“spiritual”eyestoseeanddiscernwhatkindofthoughtsIamthinking.”

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If we are not AWARE of the battle for our mind, we have already LOST the battle.

3.AskGodToRevealTheORIGINofYourThoughts

“Examineyourselvestoseewhetheryouareinthefaith;testyourselves.DoyounotrealizethatChristJesusisinyou—

unless,ofcourse,youfailthetest?”2Corinthians13:5

Thekeythingweneedtounderstandin2Corinthians13:5is thatwhenPaul is tellingustoexamineourselveshemeanstobringtheHolySpirit’sdiscernmentintoplaytoexaminethatthought and tell us the origin of that thought. The diagrambelowillustratesengagingGodtodiscernforyoutheoriginofyourthoughts.

I have the right not to forgive.

Lord, reveal to me the

origin of this thought.

That thought is from your

FLESH

A Thought Comes Into Your Mind

Ask God To Reveal The Origin

God Reveals The Origin of The Thought

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4.DrawOnYourDivineFiltersToDISCERNThatThought

“…wehavethemindofChrist.”1Corinthians2:16b

Rememberfromthelastchapter,wetalkedaboutthethree“divine filters”we have to discern out thoughts: theword ofGod, the mind of Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, usethese divine filters to discernwhat kind of thought that is: atruthfulorlying,condemning,deceivingthought,etc.

Stepoffaith:“Lord,IamthinkingthatYouarenotagoodGodbecauseofwhatYouallowed inmy life.However, Ichoose tobelieve you are good because your word says that Yourgoodnessdoesnot dependonwhatYoudoor don’t do. Yourgoodnessisbasedonyourcharacter.”

5.AskGodtoRevealTheTRUTHConcerningYourThoughts.

“Butwhenhe,theSpiritoftruth,comes,hewillguideyouintoalltruth.”John16:13a

Since one of the responsibilities of the Holy Spirit is torevealtoyouthetruth,askGodtorevealtoyouwhatthetruthisconcerningthethoughtsthatyouarethinking.

Early on in engaging the Spirit in the battle of themind,youwillneedtospendmoretimeintentionallyaskingHimtotell you the origin of your thoughts.However, themore yourmind is renewed by the truth, the easier youwill be able torecognizethetruthversusthelie.

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6.SPEAKTruthIntoThatThought

WhentheSpiritrevealsthatthethoughtisnotthetruth,thenask theSpirit tobring tomindHis truthconcerning thatthought. Then speak that truth into that thought. In ourcontinuing example, the thought comes into your mind thatyouhavetherighttobecritical.

YouasktheLordtorevealthetruthwhichis,“Youhavenorighttobecritical.”YouasktheSpirittoremindyouofthetruthwhich is, “TheLordwantsme to love, not be critical ofthisperson.”

I believe I have the right to be

upset.

God reveal to me the truth

of this thought.

You have no

fleshly right to be upset.

A Thought Comes Into Your Mind

Ask God To Reveal The Truth

God Reveals The Truth of the Thought

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7.ENTRUSTYourFleshlyThoughtsToGod.

“ThrowallyourworryonHim,becauseHecaresforyou.”1Peter5:7(ISV)

OncetheSpirithasrevealedtoyouthetruthofthethought,HewantsyoutoentrustthatthoughttoHimbyfaithforHimtotake captive. Entrustment means that you give God theownership of that thought. If you don’t entrust thatlying/fleshly thought toGod,youwillbe tempted to continuethinkingthisthoughtuntilyoutakeownershipofitandletthatthoughteventuallytakeyoutosin.

I have the right to be critical.

You have no right to be

critical. The Lord

wants me to love, not

criticize that person

A Thought Comes Into Your Mind

Ask God To Reveal The Truth

You Speak Truth Into That Thought

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This iswhyyoucan’twaste timewithyour fleshlyor lyingthoughts. It is crucial that you entrust them to Godimmediately.ThatiswhyPetersaysin1Peter5:7to“throwallyourworry onHim.” Throw your temptations, your lies, andyourcondemnationontheSpiritforHimtotakecaptive.

8. In Christ’s Power, REFUSE To Take Ownership Of ThatThought

“donotletsinreigninyourmortalbodysothatyouobeyitsevildesires.”Romans6:12

Taking every thought captive simply means to REFUSE to take OWNERSHIP of any thought that does not

line up with God’s truth.

Once the Spirit tells you the origin of the thought orreveals to you the truth concerning a fleshly thought, thenthroughdrawingonChrist’spowerrefusetotakeownershipof

I have the right not to forgive.

That thought is from your

FLESH. Lord, I am

entrusting this thought to

You.

A Thought Comes Into Your Mind

The Spirit Reveals The Origin Of The Thought

ENTRUST That Thought To God

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thatthought.InChrist’spower,youhaveHispowertosayNOto any sinful, fleshly thought. As someone once said, “If afleshlyor lying thoughtcomesthroughthe frontdoorofyourmind, simply open the back door and let it out.” Theillustrationbelowshowsustheprocessfrommovingfromtheoriginalthoughttoultimatelyrefusingtotakeownershipofthethought.

Summary

Ihopethislessonhashelpedyoubygivingyoupracticalapplicationintakingourthoughtscaptive.Astheseprinciplesbecome “holy habits,” then you will find yourself discerningyour thoughts more quickly and refusing the fleshly, sinfulthoughts.Thisisthekeytowinningthebattleofthemind:

The key to WINNING the battle in your mind is to ENTRUST and/or REFUSE to take OWNERSHIP of any thought

that does not line up with God’s truth.

God reveal to me the

origin and the lie or truth of the thought.

That thought is a fleshly thought because you do

not have the right to be critical.

Fleshly Thought Comes Into Your Mind

Ask God To Reveal the Origin and The Truth About the Thought

God Reveals Origin and The Truth

I have the right to criticize this

person. Lord, I refuse to take

ownership of that thought.

Refuse To Take Ownership of That Thought

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CHAPTER SIX

Spiritual Warfare With Satan/Demons

HowSatanandHisDemonicForcesComeAgainstUs

“Beofsoberspirit,beonthealert.Youradversary,thedevil,prowlsaboutlikearoaringlion,seekingsomeonetodevour.”

1Peter5:8

Satanandhisdemonscomeagainstyoutokeepyou:

• DistractedfromyourfaithwalkwithGod.• Inbondagetoyourfalsebeliefs.• Inongoingdefeatconcerningyourdefeatingsinpatterns.• Turningbacktoyourselfasthesourceforlivinglife.• TryingtodealwithyourproblemsindependentlyofGod.

Even though Satan and his demons CANNOT INDWELL you

as a Christian, they CAN negatively INFLUENCE your soul.

Satan/demons,flesh,andthepowerofsinworktogetherto

defeatyouinthebattleforyourmind.Let’slookatanexampleofhowtheyworktogether.

[Note:FromthispointonwhenIusethetermSatanthatwillincludehisdemonsaswell.]

Satan’sStrategy–Insertion,Reinforcement,Conclusion

It is important to remember that Satan and his demonicforcesknowyourpasthistory.Theyknowyourstrengthsandweaknesses.Theyknowintimatelyyourfleshpatternsandthestrengthofthosefleshpatterns.Therefore,theycanstrategizeonhowbesttokeepyoufocusedonyourselfandwilluseyour

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fleshly behaviors and false beliefs against you. They have athree-foldstrategywhenitcomestoyourthoughtlife.

• INSERTfleshlythoughtsintoyourmind.• Insert a REINFORCING thought to reinforce your false

beliefs.• Insert a CONCLUDING thought to reinforce your fleshly

choices.Before we look further into Satan’s strategy, remember

thiskeytruthconcerningSatanandyourthoughtlife:

Satan is a DECEIVER and the ultimate deception is for

him to insert thoughts that always come into your

mind in FIRST person and sounding like you.

Satan doesn't insert a thought in third person that says“Youarea failure.”He inserts the thought in firstpersonthatsays,“Iamafailure.”

a. Inserts fleshly, lying, condemning, and temptingthoughts.

Read Matthew 16:21-23 below to see a perfect biblicalexampleofSatan’sstrategytoinsertthoughtsintoourminds:

“FromthattimeonJesusbegantoexplaintohisdisciplesthathemustgotoJerusalemandsuffermanythingsatthehandsoftheelders,chiefpriestsandteachersofthelaw,andthathemustbekilledandonthethirddayberaisedtolife.22Petertookhimasideandbegantorebukehim.‘Never,Lord!’hesaid.‘This

shallneverhappentoyou!’”“ButHe(Jesus)turnedandsaidtoPeter,‘GetbehindMe,Satan!YouareastumblingblocktoMe;

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foryouarenotsettingyourmindonGod’sinterests,butman’s.’”Matthew16:21-23(Parenthesismine)

When Peter responded to what Jesus told His disciplesaboutHisdeath and resurrection, Jesus’s responsewas, “Getbehind Me, Satan.” Jesus knew that Satan was behind thethoughts thatwere verbalizedbyPeter. Now let’s look at anexampleofhowSatanfulfillshisstrategy.

Example: Let’s assume that youwerewoundedby yourdad.Satan inserts a thought like this: “Why did God allow this tohappentome?”

b. Satan inserts thoughts that REINFORCE your falsebeliefs.

Thatfirstthoughtisfollowedbyareinforcingthoughtthatreinforcesoraffirmsyourfalsebeliefs.

Example: Continuing our previous example, Satan inserts areinforcing thought like this: “I don’t believe God istrustworthy.”ThisthoughtreinforcesyourfalsebeliefthatGodisnot trustworthy becauseHeallowedyour father towoundyou.

c.SataninsertsCONCLUDINGthoughts.

Ultimately, Satanwant you to come to a false conclusionconcerningwhatyouarethinking.Therefore,theywillinsertaconcludingthoughtthatresultsinafalseconclusion.

Example:Sataninsertsaconcludingthoughtlikethis,“IcannolongertrustGodbecauseHeletthathappentome.”

IfSatancanyourreinforceyourfalsebeliefsandbringyoutofalseconclusions,(inthiscasetonolongertrustGod),then

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hehaswonthebattle.

ThefollowingisanillustrationofSatan’sthree-foldstrategy

EngagingGodToDoBattleWithSatan

1.LEARNTheTruthAboutSatanFromGod’sWord.

TherearefourkeytruthsthatweneedtolearnaboutSatan:

Truth #1 – Satan is CONSTANTLY scheming to steal, kill,anddestroyourChristianwalk

“Thethiefcomesonlytosteal,kill,anddestroy….”John10:10a

Satan wants to steal the rest, joy, and peace that youhaveinChrist,killyourmomentumofwalkingbyfaith,andtodestroy your desire and willingness to continue dependingupon God. Another ongoing scheme of the enemy is topersuadeyou thatGod is thesourceofyourproblemwhen itreally was Satan, not God, that was the source. Ultimately,

Why did God allow that to

happen to me?

I don t believe God

is trustworthy.

I can no longer

trust God.

Satan/Demons Insert An Initial Thought

Satan/Demons Insert A Reinforcing

Thought

Satan/Demons Insert A Concluding Thought

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Satan’smainobjectiveistokeepyoufocusedonyourselfasthesourcetolivelife.

Truth #2 - You, in your own power, are POWERLESS tofightSatanandhisdemons.

“Andthenthelawlessone(Satan)willberevealed,whomtheLordJesuswilloverthrowwiththebreathofhismouthanddestroybythesplendorofhiscoming.”2Thessalonians2:8

(Parenthesismine)

Sinceyouare fightinganunseen,powerful,anddeceivingenemy, you can’t possibly win the fight against Satan.Therefore,donottalkdirectlytoortrytoengageSatanorhisdemons.ThatisGod’s job.YourpartistoengageGodandHispowertodealwiththeseenemies.

Truth#3 -SatanandhisdemonsarepowerlesswhenwewalkinGod’sPOWER.

“Therefore,sincethechildrenshareinfleshandblood,HeHimselflikewisealsopartookofthesame,thatthroughdeath

He(Jesus)mightrenderpowerlesshim(Satan)whohadthepowerofdeath,thatis,thedevil.”

Hebrews2:14(Parenthesesmine)

As we walk by faith, we are walking in the Holy Spirit’spoweroverSatan.Satanisa“toothless”lionwhenwedependupon,restupon,anddrawuponGod’spower.

Truth #4 – God has already DEFEATED Satan and isSOVEREIGNoverhim

“….greaterisHe(God)whoisinyouthanhe(Satan)whoisintheworld.”1John4:4(Parenthesismine)

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ThegoodnewsisthatSatanisadefeatedfoe.SinceGodlives in you, every moment you walk in the Spirit, you arewalking in Christ’s victory over Satan. Therefore, you havenothingtofearfromSatanifyouliveinanabidingrelationshipwithChrist.

2.AskGodtoREVEALtoyouwhetherthethoughtsthatyouarethinkingarefromSatan.

“Dearfriends,donotbelieveeveryspirit,buttestthespiritstoseewhethertheyarefromGod..”1John4:1

Let’s assume that you have a thought that originatedwithSatantogetevenwithafriendwhorejectedyou.Thethoughtis,“Ican’tbelievethatmyfriendsaidthattome.Ican’tletthisgo.Iamgoingtohavetogetevenwiththisperson.”Beforeyouactonthatthought,askGodtotellyouwhowastheoriginofthat thought. Below is an illustration ofwhat thismight looklike:

Lord, where did that thought come

from?

That was a thought from

Satan.

Ask God To Reveal The Origin of That Thought

The Holy Spirit Reveals The Origin of The Thought

I am going to get even with

my friend.

Satan Inserts A Fleshly Thought Into Your Mind

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3.AskGodtoREVEALthetruthconcerningyourthoughts.

When Satan inserts deceiving thoughts in our minds wecan become confused about whether or not that thought istrue. Therefore, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to youwhetherthatthoughtistrueornot.

4. Don’t Take Ownership of That Thought. Rather,ENTRUST The Satanic Thoughts To God and Ask Him ToTakeThoseThoughtsCaptive.

OncetheHolySpiritrevealstoyoutheoriginandthetruthof your thoughts, then refuse to take ownership of thosethoughts.Instead,entrust(orhandover)thosethoughtstoGodsoHewilltakethemcaptive.

I am a failure.

God reveal to me the truth

of this thought.

You are more than a

conqueror in Christ.

Satan Inserts A Thought Into Your Mind

Ask God To Reveal The Truth

God Reveals The Truth of the Thought

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3.Ifthethoughtscontinuecoming,KEEPdrawingonGod’sPOWERtoremovethosethoughts.

“SubmitthereforetoGod.Resistthedevil,andhewillfleefromyou.”James4:7

ManytimesSatanwillnot insertathoughtonlyonetime.He may continue to insert the same thought over and overagain inorder towearyour faithdown to aplacewhereyouwillfinallytakeownershipofthatthoughtandgiveintoyourflesh.Therefore,youmustpersist indrawingonGod’spowerto remove those thoughts. In James 4:7 you can see that youmust submit your thoughts to God, and Godwill resist Satanthroughyou.

It may take REPEATED entrustment of your thoughts

to God before Satan GIVES UP on inserting those

thoughts in your mind.

Lord, I entrust this fleshly

thought to you and ask You in Your power to take it captive.

Entrust The Fleshly Thought To God

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ThediagrambelowillustrateshowwecontinuetodrawonGod’spowertodealwiththeSatanic/demonicthoughts

Summary

There is much more that can be said about spiritualwarfare. However, in this booklet I want to give you somepractical applicationsofwhat it looks like toengage theHolySpirittodobattlewithSatan.

CONCLUSION

Ihopethisbooklethasgivenyoudeeperinsightsintowhywemustknow:(1)thereisarealongoingbattleforyourmind;(2) the enemies we are facing in this battle; and (3) how toengageGod towin this battle for us.However, there ismuchmoreIwanttosharewithyouifyouarewillingtolearnmore.

I am trusting in Your power to

take this thought captive.

I am trusting in Your power to

take this thought captive.

Continue To Draw On God s Power To Remove Ongoing Satanic Thoughts

I am going to get even with

my friend.

I am going to get even with

my friend.

Satan Inserts A Fleshly Thought

Satan/Demons Continue Insert The

Sinful Thought

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HowCanILearnMore?

Ihavewrittenafollow-upcurriculumtothisbookletcalledThe Battle Of The Mind. In this curriculum, I go into greaterdepthonthetopicsIdiscussedinthisbooklet.Ifyouwouldliketo learn more, I would encourage you to go to our website:(www.christislifeministries.com), and look under the

Discipleshiptab.Whenyougetto thatpage,scrolldownuntilyou see the curriculumpicturedleft.

You can either download thiscurriculum for free orpurchase a written copy thatwewillmailtoyou.

I hope you will takeadvantage of this study andseek the Lord for a deeperunderstanding of what itmeans to engage God to winthebattleinyourmind.

Blessings in Christ, Bill Loveless

(5-1-17)

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ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

TolearnmoreaboutBillandhisjourney,pleasegotohiswebsiteandlookatthesectioncalledBill’sPersonalJourney.