Mind Games

By: Eric Hutchinson, Fellowship Bible Church NWA Celebrate Recovery Men's Encourager Coach, Devotional Team,  8/1/18

Our enemy works so hard to distract us and keep our minds occupied with anything other than our God and his plan for our life.  The media, trends and advertising, secular philosophy, and materialism are all examples of distractions that Satan will put before us.  In my own struggle against pornography, the mind is where the real battle takes place.  I heard the following quote earlier today and I have been chewing on it:  “Our lives move in the direction of our strongest thought.” – Craig Roeschel

What do you think about?  Are there reoccurring thoughts in your mind?  What do you dwell on?  I’m not talking about work-related thoughts.  What do your thoughts move toward when it is not occupied by work?  My sponsor told me very early in my recovery that God was going to re-wire my mind if I let him.  You know what?  He was exactly right!  My thoughts used to move toward the hurts of my divorce, lust, and how I could please my selfish desires.  Now, as I work my recovery, my thoughts go toward a more spiritual nature.  My mind has been rewired! Look at the verse below and the quote from Amy Carmichael and ask yourself if the enemy has been playing mind games with you.  I hope this finds you in a good place but if not, turn your spiritual eyes toward Jesus my friend and allow him to rewire your mind!

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.  If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death.  But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.”  Romans 8:5-6

“Holy Spirit, think through me until your ideas become my ideas.” – Amy Carmichael

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