"MIND GAMES???"

Romans 8:6-8          (English Standard Version)
"6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."


Do you find yourself being burdened down with worry and anxiety?  Do you find yourself having thoughts of failure and defeat?  Where do these thoughts come from?  Why do we allow ourselves to constantly feel as though we are fighting a war we cannot win?

James 1:5-8 "If any of you LACKS WISDOM, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with NO DOUBTING, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a DOUBLE-MINDED man, UNSTABLE in all his ways."  We choose to be DOUBLE-MINDED and allow the enemy to encamp in our minds. But the enemy will set up camp where GOD has not been allowed control!

But "If any of you lacks wisdom" does not put food on the table.  "If any of you lacks wisdom" does not does not pay the mortgage.  "If any of you lacks wisdom" does not prevent a catastrophic illness?  Dr. Charles Stanley teaches "Godly wisdom is the capacity to see things from the Father’s viewpoint and respond according to Scriptural principles."   BUT, how does WISDOM FROM GOD help us?  .......Wisdom to invest money properly, wisdom to know how to handle relationships, wisdom to know and follow HIS guidance, wisdom to maintain your health, and on and on???

But if we "set the mind on the flesh", death and destruction will follow!  Colossians 3:2 tells us "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth".  Romans 12:2 enlightens us to "Do not be conformed (compliance) to this world, but be transformed (to change in form, appearance, or structure) by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 6:12 says "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the SPIRITUAL FORCES of EVIL in the heavenly places".  The enemy wants to control our minds.  If we allow our minds to be influenced or controlled by the enemy, we are surrendering the battle to our foe.  I pray I will be alert (1 Peter 5:6-9) to know the enemy is seeking to win every battle I am weak enough to allow.  The MIND is where the battle is won and lost!  Who is going to win the battle for your mind???