Jay Taylor

Satan declared war on mankind long ago and that war continues to this day. He never rests in his efforts. He is constantly on the prowl. His one goal is separating us from God and he never forgets that.

We, however, often forget that the battlefield where this war is waged is the mind. Satan knows that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). He knows that our thoughts shape our attitudes, words, and actions. In fact, our thoughts determine who we are. What I am as a father, mother, friend, child, or Christian is determined by my thoughts. What we think about matters.

We need to be aware of Satan’s assault on our minds. It is also important that we focus our attention on what we fill our minds with and what we do with our minds. What type of minds should we have? There are three passages that will help us in this area.

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		<strong>A GOOD MIND - Philippians 4:8-9</strong> 
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	<p>A mind filled with good can repel Satan’s attack. In Philippians 4, the apostle Paul gives us a list of good qualities that we should take into account (meditate on). There is great value in these qualities. But the value can only be seen when we fill our minds with these good things.</p>

The qualities that Paul wants us to think about are characteristics of God. God is true, honorable, just, pure, and lovely. When I fill my mind with these good qualities I am filling my mind with things that will make me more like God.

We notice, also, that these good qualities are things that Satan never dwells upon. He dwells on things that are false, dishonorable, impure and repulsive. He wins when my thoughts are consumed by these evil qualities. However, I am victorious when my mind is filled with good. What we think about matters!

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		<strong>A RENEWED MIND - Romans 12:2</strong> 
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	<p>is easy to be conformed to this world. That is exactly what Satan desires. The process of being conformed begins in the mind and that is why Satan attacks there. Paul, knowing Satan’s methods, commands the opposite of being conformed to the world - <em>be transformed.</em> The process of being transformed also begins in the mind. Our minds must be renewed.</p>

A renewed mind is one that is changed for the better. This, in part, is accomplished by filling our minds with the good qualities that Paul suggested. It is also accomplished by changing the way we think. David realized the need for a new way of thinking after committing adultery. He prayed, Create pure thoughts in me and make be faithful again (Ps. 51:10). He desired a renewed mind. He knew that a change in mind would lead to a change in living. A renewed mind leads to right living before God. What we think about matters!

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		<strong>A PREPARED MIND - 1 Peter 1:13</strong> 
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	<p>Peter encouraged his readers to <em>gird up the loins of </em> their <em> mind. </em> That simply means that the were to prepare their minds for action (see 1 Peter 1:13, ESV). Why did Peter encourage them to do this? He knew Satan’s line of attack. Satan attacks the mind. And one way Satan does this is through our passions and desires. Peter saw the value of having a prepared mind.</p>

A prepared mind is not conformed to the passions of our former ignorance (1 Peter 1:14). A prepared mind is spiritually mature. It says no to temptation. It is able to control and keep its thoughts captive. A prepared mind knows how and why Satan attacks and will be on the alert. The one with a prepared mind knows that what we think about matters.

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		<strong>WHAT WE THINK ABOUT MATTERS</strong> 
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	<p>We are often foolish in our thinking. We allow Satan access into our minds by thinking on the wrong things. We think too often about self. Material possessions become objects of every thought. We spend time thinking about the wrong things and our actions prove it.</p>

What if we began to spend more time thinking about God and His word? Our minds would be filled with good. Our minds would be renewed. Our minds would be prepared. Our actions/behavior would be different. Right thinking would reign.

Someone has said that wrong thoughts are like birds. You can’t keep them from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building nests in your hair. We can be victorious over our enemy with God’s help. We can be ruled by good. What we think about matters!