The Rules of Engagement

The Battlefield Is Your Mind

4. You must bring thoughts into captivity. In order to recognize what is wrong in us, we must perceive God’s standard of right. We must learn to look objectively at any thoughts or attitudes that fail to conform to the likeness and teaching of Jesus. Those thoughts must be captured and wrong attitudes crucified in order to secure victory. Repent of those thoughts, asking God to forgive you of your unbelief. Then arrest the thoughts and replace them with the confession of your faith, the Word of God. 5. You must renew your mind. Let your mind be renewed by reading and studying the Word of God. “When you do this you are tearing down a stronghold of defeat that once oppressed you and you are beginning to replace it with the godly stronghold of faith. As you continue being renewed in the spirit of your mind by the Word of God, you will begin walking in tremendous power and peace. You will enter the godly stronghold of faith.” 5 Jesus tells us in John 8:31–32 how we are to stay victorious over the lies of Satan: “Continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” R epentance B rings a C hange of M ind The mind is the greatest battlefield because our minds occupy a large place in our lives, and our thoughts easily influence our actions. It is difficult to esti mate how much of the world’s philosophy, ethics, knowledge, research, and science flow from the powers of darkness. But of one point we are certain: all arguments and proud obstacles against the knowledge of God are the fortresses of the enemy. It is true that Satan uses the mind to secure our consent to set up strong holds, and with each enticement the enemy gains more ground in our battlefield. We cannot separate temptation and thought; temptations are offered us in the form of thoughts. Since our thoughts are so exposed to the power of darkness, we need to learn how to guard them. This work begins the day we accept Jesus into our lives and repent for all of the mess that we allow to reign over us. The original definition of repentance is “a change of mind.” Because our minds had been so united with the devil, it is vital for

47