Considering the battle that takes place in the mind, we are continuing our look at the weapons of our warfare . . . which are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” From 2 Corinthians, we then proceeded to Ephesians 6 to review the weapons which are described by Paul there. We pick up with the shield of faith.
- Shield of Faith – above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Faith is seeing what is there when it is unseen or hidden by the fog or chaos of battle. For a believer, faith will protect him or her from the lies of the enemy, aimed at undermining belief in the God who cannot be seen, but to whom all the evidence clearly points. When negative thoughts persist, the believer needs to put the shield of faith between him and negative thoughts. Faith will affirm that the promises of God are true and will come to pass. For example, God will never leave us or forsake us, and God will never temp us beyond what we are able. Believing these things is an exercise of faith. It puts the shield of faith between us and the temptation or negative thinking.
- The Helmet of Salvation – take the helmet of salvation. No solider can fight in the LORD’s army without receiving the work of salvation. Jesus said, you must be born again. When we receive salvation, it is a helmet, a protective covering for our thoughts. Without the helmet, we might receive a mortal wound that would take us out of the battle.
- The Sword of the Spirit – the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The word of God is a weapon we wield. It can be used to answer the lies of the enemy. Our example is Jesus, who when tempted three times in the wilderness by the devil, was able to answer each time from the word of God. As we study, meditate on and memorize the word of God, we will be able to use the word as an offensive weapon to counter the lies of the enemy.
- Prayer – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. The tool that helps us to apply the weapons and know their effectiveness in our battles is prayer. It is our communication with God, the Supreme Commander, and it allows us access to the wisdom of the creator. Prayer is ongoing and never-ceasing.
When you are plagued with negative thinking, consider the weapons of your warfare. Be reminded that they are not of this world, but of the eternal realm. They are might of God. Review and study and apply. You will have victory in Christ.
Rooted and Grounded 