The battles that we face are either lost or won in our minds. The mind is the arena of your faith.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
What this verse is saying is that there is worldly pattern, and we should not conform to that pattern. Transform means to change a thing into a different thing. Be transformed and not improved. Are you living your best life? Shifting your patterns and focus can change your life. That’s what this verse is about renewing your mind, changing the way you think to create a better life for yourself and a life that honours God. The world and society have patterns or ways that lead to a broken life. These patterns are easy to fall into and can be difficult to transform. The patterns, or routines, are often preformed mindlessly, without any consideration of our actions or their consequences; however, we are not stuck with them.
Your life bends in the direction of your strongest thoughts. You need to decide whether you’re going to lean into your flesh that is constantly filling your mind with negativity or are you going to lean into the spirit of God that is filled with truth? So, we ask you now, what are you thinking on?
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does 4 The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10: 3-5
Strongholds is a military term meaning to fortify/protect/secure. Strongholds are incorrect patterns of thought that prevent us from experiencing God’s fullness in our lives We have got to break down worldly strongholds and build up the strong calls that God rightly placed for our lives. We have divine power to overcome incorrect patterns of thoughts. Your life bends in the direction of your strongest thoughts.
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
Proverbs 23:7
The life we have a reflection of the thoughts we think. If you think you can’t – you probably won’t. If you look for solutions – you’ll see them. If you dwell on problems – they’ll overwhelm you.
How to win the war in your mind
- Capture – Identify the limiting belief or mindset. I cannot defeat that which I cannot identify. How do we do that? Simple, get into the word. Or try to decipher whether this thought is going to help you move forward or stay in one place.
4 The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
- Bring – Bring it under the obedience of Christ. We have to bring the negative thought into alignment with the Word of God. Name the TRUTH that demolishes the stronghold. Once again how do we do that? Get into the Word.
Practical examples;
I can’t do this > I can do all things through Christ
I’m not attractive > I’m fearfully and wonderfully made
I don’t have a future > God knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb
captive into the obedience
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Here’s the thing, you have got to speak God’s truth over your life
- Act – Victory requires action. Its not just about thinking. The evidence of faith is action.
But do you want to know O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:20
Talk it Over
Key Scriptures
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with
are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and
we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. …
Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life …
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Start thinking.
- Think about a time you struggled with anxiety or toxic thoughts. What did you learn through that experience?
- Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. Where do you think your life is headed, based on your thoughts?
- Is there anything you would like to change about your destination?
Start sharing.
- What stronghold is holding you back? What negative statement do you say about yourself, and how does it affect you?
- What truth demolishes that stronghold? How can you replace that negative statement with truth from Scripture?
Start praying.
- Be bold and pray with power.
- Father, reveal to me any lies that I am believing about myself, others, or You. Help me replace those lies with Your transformative, healing truth. Renew my mind. Transform my thoughts. And make me more like You today and every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Start doing.
- Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- Create a truth statement to combat lies you’re believing. Share it with your Destiny Group, then commit to declaring it over yourself every day for 30 days.