Renewing our mind until our thoughts are lined up with Truth is the key to living completely transformed and radically free.
Too many are not connecting with the thoughts that are consuming their mind, and are being led away from life and peace.
Instead, they are weighed down by feelings and circumstances, allowing self-defeating thought patterns to become their belief system. When those thought patterns go unchecked, they become strongholds in our mind. A stronghold carries the power to drive us away from believing what God says to be true, instead we are entertaining thoughts that are in opposition of what God says, and we become a target to the enemy.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. —1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
The enemy loves when our thought patterns disagree with God’s word.
Why?
Because he knows that if he can catch us in self-defeating thoughts and feelings, and we are not rooting ourselves in the Word of God, firm-footed in our faith, believing God no matter what our circumstances or feelings are saying, he has an in to mess with our faith. And we become ineffective for the Kingdom of God.
Family, we have got to take what’s going on in that head of ours seriously.
We have got to stop being controlled and consumed by thoughts and strongholds in our minds that are blocking us from living in the fullness of freedom that Jesus paid for!
Here’s a breakdown of stronghold removal in simple form, pulled from my latest book, Ripple Effect:
“Repent. Remove. Replace.
Repent: When you find wiring in your belief system to be in contradiction to the Word of God: Stop. Connect with that thought, go directly to God, and repent. Ask God to forgive you for this thought that had the power to drive you away from His Truth.
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. —Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
Remove: Turn from that belief pattern completely by removing it. If it helps, say this out loud (I do), ‘I am removing this idea, thought, and false belief from my wiring! It is not God’s heart or His Truth, and I am no longer going to live out of a belief system that is inferior to what Jesus died to give to me!’
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting abetween soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the One to whom we are accountable. — Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT)
Grab hold of the Word of God that has the power to cut through Truth and lies, exposing every wrong belief system, and boldly go to our gracious God for His mercy and strength as you come against every lying and deceptive spirit that has kept you from living whole and healed.
Replace: Grab your Sword, the Word of God, and declare a scripture of Truth. Learn to override what was once thought and believed, replacing those anti-God thoughts with His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring His Word from your head to your heart until His Truth is the only belief system you live by. Your belief system will line up with God’s in such a powerful way, everyday life (and thoughts) will no longer be your battle. You will experience what it looks and feels like to live with a renewed mind. And the whispered lies of the enemy will no longer have you bound as you continually learn to rise into your rightful place as a victor and the righteousness of Christ!
All of us have areas where our mind needs healing and restoration; a fully restored mind is available for each of us. With God, we have access to a completely healed and sound mind, through His Spirit, partnered with our obedience, and taking His Word seriously.”
I pray you make a bold decision to go after any and all anti-God thoughts that are consuming your mind until you are living fully transformed and radically free!
Much love, J
