Guard Your Heart and Mind



Be aware of any subtle changes in your thoughts and emotions during this season. Our enemy is an expert in enacting subtle schemes. Just like from the beginning, he can be very subtle in how he approaches you. The word subtle is defined as “a change so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.”

Understand that a subtle shift can lead to a big problem if you do not “nip it in the bud.” Subtle thoughts can lead to not so subtle actions or conversations.

So what guard can we put around our hearts and minds to alert us to these subtle attacks? I believe the Apostle Paul gives us examples in Ephesians 6:10-18 and in Philippians 4:6-9.

In Ephesians 6, he speaks of spiritual armor that the Christ believer has access to. Many people talk about putting their armor on, but the fact is that it should never come off.

KEEP ON your SPIRITUAL ARMOR so that you can remain steadfast (firm and unwavering) in the faith.

Verse 18 really stands out to me.

“PRAY ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication IN THE SPIRIT…”

Hmmm….this sounds a bit familiar.

Again in Philippians 4:6 Paul wrote to the believers,

“Be anxious for nothing, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God; and THE PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS through Christ Jesus.”

There it is! The answer to guarding our hearts and minds.

When we FOCUS ON GOD AND HIS KINGDOM (which we do THROUGH PRAYER and the READING OF THE WORD of God) we can more easily recognize the schemes of the enemy and be quick to “cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and BRING EVERY THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV).

I have learned that the presence or lack of presence of God’s peace is a good indicator of whether or not my thoughts and emotions are in line with the TRUTH of God.

The Apostle Paul further instructs us on how to keep our hearts and minds in line with God’s TRUTH:

“Finally, BELIEVERS, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK CONTINUALLY ON THESE THINGS [CENTER YOUR MIND ON THEM, AND IMPLANT THEM IN YOUR HEART]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, PRACTICE THESE THINGS [IN DAILY LIFE], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9 AMP)

Understand that any thought and emotion that pulls you down, is not of God. God does not condemn you (John 3:17).

Understand that anything that speaks of your past (that which is prior to your salvation and even that which has been repented of since receiving salvation and is covered by the blood of Jesus) is not of God. God forgives and forgets our sins once they are covered by the blood of Jesus (Isaiah 43:25, Hebrews 10:14-18).

Understand that thoughts and feelings of fear, disappointment, discouragement, regret, hatred, resentment, and shame do not come from God.

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23)

The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy and the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)

In order to recognize the subtle schemes of the enemy, you must first KNOW WHO GOD IS. Know the TRUTH so that you can easily recognize the lie. Don’t waste your time getting to the know the lies. Meditate on the TRUTH of God. Meditate on WHO GOD IS.

In this season, more so than ever before, we need to be spending more time in the Secret Place with Christ Jesus. In the Garden of His heart we find rest, strength, truth, peace, refreshing, joy and all else that we need in order to keep moving forward on the path He has set before us.

Let us never forget that the Lord is our Shepherd and He is the GOOD SHEPHERD. His thoughts towards you are good and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11). Let your heart and mind be comforted with His TRUTH.

Brothers and sisters in the faith, I leave you with this reminder of WHO YOU ARE and WHO GOD IS:

“The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever."

Psalm 23 (NKJV)

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