Battle of the Mind - Sober Minded

Hello everyone,

Proverbs 25:28 says, “He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.”  Every child of God has the responsibility to take charge over what he allows to influence his life. Failure to guard our minds and govern our thoughts will leave us vulnerable and defenceless to the devil. 

But fortifying our minds with the truth of God’s Word and being alert to the traps and lies of our enemy, we experience the peace, protection and blessing God has for us. 

We’ve come to the final part of our series on the battle of the mind.  Thanks to some experts on the subject - we have been able to draw good understanding on the soul, and great practical wisdom on how to guard it against the devil’s attack.  

1 John 4:4 is brilliant news for us!  It puts everything into the right perspective, in fact, it shows us that victory is assured from the onset, because of Who lives inside us!  It reads, “Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.”

Jesus has done His part, now it’s up to us to do ours.  1 Peter 5:8-9 tells us where to begin.  It says we are to be sober minded and vigilant, and to withstand the enemy by being firm in faith! 

To be sober minded means we have decided to not be controlled by our emotions, but to think clearly and seriously, and not let our guard down when it comes to making choices and facing challenges in life.

Easier said than done?  I’ve thought about this, and I’ve come to realise that if we are in the habit of being in the Word, it’s truth becomes engraved in our hearts and minds.  It actually becomes that anchor for our souls.  So when everything around us seems to be in chaos, or falling apart - there is a firm, strong sense of knowing inside us that’s stabilising us and keeping us from being overwhelmed.  

Now it’s at this very point where we make a choice to either listen to that truth, or be distracted by, and pay attention to what we are hearing, or seeing in the natural.  Peter tells us to make that deliberate choice to be sober minded.  In other words, choose to pay attention to that truth you have planted in your heart - let it be your compass and your anchor right now!  Don’t react, don’t let your shocked emotions take over, rather be still and lean on that foundation that’s already been established in your soul - and do what it’s telling you to do.

Deuteronomy 30:14 says, “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.”  Take a look at what Colossians 2:7 says, “Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.”  What a powerful scripture, in fact both of these pretty much sum up and confirm what Peter is telling us to do by being sober minded, vigilant, and firm in faith.  Now, the word rooted in Colossians 2:7, describes how God’s truth being firmly and deeply established in us, makes us fixed, steady, stable and strong, no matter what opposition comes against us.

So, Peter is telling us that by being sober minded, vigilant, and withstanding the enemy by being firm in faith, we are in fact building a strong wall of defence and resistance around our souls.  Making it extremely difficult for the enemy to gain any entrance into our lives, and personal affairs.

Recently, during my studies on this subject, I listened to a teaching by Rick Renner, where he mentioned seven practical steps he personally uses every day to build and reinforce his wall of resistance to the enemy’s attack.  I was so blessed by what he said, and I really felt it would benefit you too, so I’m going to run through a few of them with you in the remainder of this letter, and the next. I encourage you to look Rick Renner up on YouTube and watch his teaching called “How to construct a wall of defence” - it’ll be well worth your time.

So, here is the first of some practical steps to build a wall of resistance against the enemy:

1. Spend time with the Lord every morning!

The moment your eyes open in the morning - look to Jesus!  Immediately, put your attention on Him.  It just takes one thought or one sentence to acknowledge Him - but that one small gesture sets the tone for your entire day.  Then, get up, and find a quiet place where you can be alone with Him.  This doesn’t have to be long at all - but it must be enough time to have His thoughts influence yours.  That’s because how you begin your day will determine if you are reinforced in faith to withstand any attack during the day.  

Psalms 5:3 says, “In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].”  Have His Word build a fresh confidence inside you as you dedicate your day to the Lord before it begins!  Use a bible reading plan or a daily devotion book if you want - as long as it’s by a ministry that believes in the Word of faith and the active involvement and ministry of the Holy Spirit.  

Once you’ve started your day this way, you’ve already made it difficult for the devil to penetrate your mind and emotions.  In fact, throughout your day, allow your thoughts to ponder on the truth you’ve read.  This will reinforce and strengthen that wall of defence, making it a stronger resistance to any lies the enemy tries to penetrate your mind with.  

Starting your day this way sets you on the right path for the rest of the day.  Next week we’ll look at the other practical steps that will help keep us on this good path throughout the day - keeping our minds sober, vigilant and firm in faith to withstand the enemy!

All my love,

Jenny