Do you ever get attacked when you are sleeping? I do. Bad dreams that don’t make since, feelings of failure and thoughts of who has wronged me fill my mind. Often, hopelessness creeps in.
It is not until I gain my bearings and realize who is attacking my mind that I take captive these thoughts and give them over to the lover of my soul, Jesus.
There are battles without, like the war in Israel, and the battles within, the war over your mind. Both are important battles to win. You must keep on your mind on what God’s word teaches you. (Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute; if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB)
When the wrong thoughts enter your mind, take time to redirect your thoughts on the very things that tell you that you are loved by God, He is fighting your battles. Fix your mind on the things above. He has given you the armor to fight against the lies of the devil. (Stand firm having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation with the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. Take up the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17 NASB)
The Helmet of Salvation covers your mind, the Boots of Peace that you wear when you walk in this world will show others that you are different. The Shield of Faith helps you to combat those fiery darts that come at you. You can lift that shield and block them. The Belt of Truth tells you who you are and who your God is. The breastplate of righteousness holds you firm in God’s righteousness because of what Jesus did for you on the cross. You now have His Righteousness. The Sword of the Spirit is God’s word that you must fill your heart with so that when the enemy speaks his lies, you can speak the truth of God’s word back at him.
So, when the enemy attacks you, fight back!
