The Secret to Overcoming Sinful Habits

Part 4: Why It Is So Difficult to Guard Your Mind

Many believers sincerely desire to live holy lives, yet they wonder why the battle in the mind seems so intense.

The answer is that we are living in a world whose values are opposed to God.

The Bible calls Satan “the god of this world” who blinds the minds of those who do not believe.

«”In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…”
— 2 Corinthians 4:4»

Jesus also referred to him as “the ruler of this world.”

«John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11»

Satan does not need to personally tempt every individual.

He has influenced a world system that constantly feeds the mind with ideas that oppose God’s truth.

Think about it.

Social media.

Movies.

Television.

Music.

The internet.

Fashion.

Advertisements.

Entertainment.

Many of these can be used for good, but they can also become channels through which ungodly values, lust, greed, pride, violence, and rebellion are normalized.

Whether we seek them or not, suggestions continually compete for our attention.

The enemy understands something about human nature:

What repeatedly enters your eyes and ears eventually seeks a home in your thoughts.

And whatever occupies your thoughts will eventually influence your actions.

That is why Scripture says:

«”Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
— Romans 10:17»

The opposite is also true in principle: whatever we continually hear and meditate upon shapes our beliefs and our conduct.

God observed the condition of fallen humanity before the flood:

«”Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
— Genesis 6:5»

Sin begins with corrupted thinking.

At salvation, God gives us a new heart and makes us spiritually alive in Christ.

But the renewing of the mind is an ongoing process.

«”Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
— Romans 12:2»

God does not renew your mind apart from your participation.

He has given you His Word.

He has given you His Spirit.

Now He calls you to cooperate with Him.

Guard your mind like a farmer guards his field.

A wise farmer does not allow weeds to grow unchecked.

He removes them before they choke the harvest.

In the same way, remove sinful thoughts before they produce sinful actions.

Jesus asked,

«”Why do thoughts arise in your hearts?”
— Luke 24:38»

The apostle Paul gives us the strategy:

«”Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:5»

Do not entertain every thought simply because it enters your mind.

Reject what is sinful.

Replace it with God’s truth.

Finally, obey the instruction of Philippians 4:8:

«”Whatsoever things are true… honest… just… pure… lovely… of good report… think on these things.”»

You cannot always stop a thought from knocking at the door of your mind.

But you can decide whether you will invite it in to stay.

Guard your mind.

Feed it with God’s Word.

Because the life you live tomorrow is being shaped by the thoughts you choose to cultivate today.

#GuardYourMind #RenewYourMind