Battling Spiritual Warfare In The Mind

James 1 verses 13 and 14 state: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” I read and reread this statement so many times trying to convince myself of its validity in my life. I was not sure that I could fully comprehend and accept it without questioning it.

I know that the word of God is written for our instruction and should be the guide in our lives. I know that we should work at correcting anything in our life not in agreement with the precious word of God as the Spirit shows. However, have you ever looked at the acts of the sinful nature or work of the flesh as outlined in Galatians 5:19-21 and discriminate among them thinking that there are some of them that would never relate to you. I did! I even bragged to friends how I would never be tempted by certain issues, because I am a strong woman, love God, walk the love walk the best I could, and try to do what God says. But, Oh my, how foolish I was of even making such a statement. I will expand on that later.

Now let's review together what the bible says about the work of the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21 state: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, murder, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” I was also reminded of the wrath of God against godless people acting a certain way in Romans 1:18-32.

While reading the verses I could see that most of the same issues with human attitudes in Galatians are also repeated in the first chapter of Romans. Since the apostle Paul was mainly addressing Christians in the Roman church, I was also thinking that as a Christian I should not be dealing with any of these issues. Should you? You are probably thinking that you are all fine and not associated with any of these attitudes of the work of the flesh as displayed in Galatians. Good for you! No child of God should indulge in them because they are all spiritual sins that can destroy our fellowship with God and incapacitate us spiritually.

But are we aware that the following attitudes can also block the anointing of God to flow in our lives, and prevent us to be effective witnesses in our ministering to others. For example, looking at someone's else possession with envy and wanting excessive material wealth is greed; flirting with each other, lusting, looking at someone' else spouse with anticipation and fluttering in our hearts is adultery; allowing our eyes to wander on questionable things is defiling our spirit –beware of movies we watch, books, magazines we read, and Internet use; calling someone with a despicable name or being angry with the person is hatred and murder, etc. If you do not agree with me, take it to Jesus (Matthew 5:17-28). He has beautifully exposed the Kingdom of God great spiritual principles for godly living and provided warnings to all to consider in Mathew chapters 5 to 13 and 18 to 25. He also stated that, “everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24).

In my situation what was it that baffled me so much to the point of despair? What I can say is that I am aware that it took only one day, one moment, a few words spoken by someone I respect to start a battle for what I think can reveal what I was really made of as a follower of Christ in my walk for holiness. I am sure that there was no malicious intent in the statement. But what I heard was a soulish cry so intense that it deeply affected my spirit, soul and wounded me emotionally. My heart sank within me at the hearing of the words. Although I did not know what to make of the statement, it took only a few seconds and a few words to start this whole madness in my life that will reveal if I could, at times, ever be in control of my mind and emotions.

Suddenly I was being harassed in the mind by these thoughts that I wonder what was going on. I was under such a virulent attack on my mind that I did not know what to do at first. The thoughts coming in where so unlike me, and so unlike my character and ways of thinking. It took me some time to realize that this is what people called spiritual warfare in the mind. To me it was a new kind of warfare never experienced before.

I now understand that the reason why I was in such trouble is because I wasn't expecting to hear these words from a simple acquaintance. Also, I guess I may also have been guilty of interpreting the words my own way. Was I emotionally such a wreck that a few simple words can bring havoc in my life? Was I being dragged away and enticed by my own evil desires? Or was it the sin nature manifesting itself in my weakly flesh? I still do not have an exact and definite answer to those questions!

Now if you care about following God and loving him with all heart, mind, soul and spirit, how do you feel when dealing with this matter of holiness and obeying God in everything you think, do or say? Are you aware that even your thoughts should be in accord with the mind of God? Do you know when you are being harassed in the mind, and understand when your flesh is being manipulated by the power of darkness?

I remember telling someone once that I was dealing with spiritual warfare. To that statement, someone else asked, “and how do you deal with it?” My answer was, “I deal with it one day at a time.” I am going to share with you some steps I have taken, used in the past and am currently using in dealing with this new spiritual warfare in my life. They have brought relief to my soul while I am expecting total victory. These steps will contribute greatly in increasing your intimacy with the Lord and assist in your willingness to handle spiritual warfare victoriously one day at a time.

First thing I do is pray. I always look for God in order to get guidance and give him anything in my life that I do not have any control over. As I look for the joy and peace that surpasses all understanding to manifest continually in me, I chose to give all my issues to Jesus and leave all consequences of my life to him. I know that God the Father is in control and will give me the power and strength to carry on and conquer all things. Jesus stated that he cares for me and asks that I bring all my cares to him--so I do while waiting for him to intervene and act on my behalf (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:7).

Second thing I do is that I ask the Holy Spirit indwelling me to help me walk in the Spirit everyday. At times, it is a minute per minute walk with the awareness that Jesus is always for me and at my side to help, no matter what I go through. Galatians 5 verse 24 states that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. So I am being very careful in how I answer to spoken words, attitudes and people around me by judging my reactions to them. I also try not to judge negatively other people's attitudes, actions or words. The word of God says that if we judge ourselves we won't be judged.

Third advice I can give you is to never accept every thought coming in your mind as your own. Analyze and rebuke thoughts and ways contrary to God's way and your own character. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish stronghold. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). So learn to use the weapons provided to you.

Fourth thing I do is that I fast as often as I feel led by the Spirit. I read my bible regularly and consecrate myself to be strong in my mind and be fully indwelled by the Spirit of the living God in order to be able to hear clearly what he is telling me. I have found that fasting always brings me closer to God. I take personally his promise and his request that as I draw near to him, he will draw near to me (James 4:8).

Now while putting these steps in practice, I am also being very cautious about what I say because one can be snared by the words of their mouth (Proverbs 18:7). The battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

I can not say in my humanness that I have everything under control yet, but as I take life one day at a time, as I go through this sanctification process, I am confident and I can always say that I have the victory in Jesus. It is God who makes us all stand firm in Christ Jesus anyway (2 Corinthians 1:20-22). I made a conscious decision that I will not allow compromise and spiritual sins to hinder my daily walk and relationship with Father, deafen my hearing of him, block divine revelation, and destroy my anointing. Moreover, I take time regularly to thank and glorify God for this indescribable gift of the Holy Spirit of Jesus in me that always keeps me strong and makes me aware of all unrighteousness! I declare that I am free of all bondage because I have tested that the Lord is good, and understand that nothing is impossible with him. Hallelujah!

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus