Your most costly possession, your heart, and your mind!
We have spent the last few weeks looking at the mind. We looked at how your mind and your heart connects?
Solomon said: As a man thinks in his heart, so is he – Prov 23:7.
Jesus said: Out of the heart of man comes all these things, adultery, murder, hate etcetera. In these scriptures ( Mark 7:20-23), Jesus mentions thirteen things that defile our hearts. If your heart is connected with your mind, then it is only logical that a person with an evil heart will harbor evil thoughts.
What do the Prophets say about the heart of a man?
Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
David prays in Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Why does the enemy want control of your mind? Why would he go to the extent of lying, manipulating and intimidation to be able to call the shots? It is simple.
If the enemy can control your mind, he can control what you believe and do. He is the enemy of your mind and your heart.
Your heart is the soil of your life. Jesus tells the parable of the sower and then explains it in this way. The seed is the word – Luke 8:11. Jesus is saying that the words he speaks, are seeds that he is sowing into your heart. Your heart can be in one of four places.
First He says that the seeds or the words fell in was on the wayside – Matt 13:4.
Secondly, the seeds or his words fell in stony places – Matt 13:5.
Thirdly, the seeds or his words fell amongst the thorns – Matt 13:7.
Lastly, the seeds or his words fell in good ground – Matt 13:8.
These seeds or words has great potential. You know that in each seed is more than a tree. In each seed, there is a whole forest or a great harvest. This scares the enemy knowing that the word of God has the potential to influence your heart and your mind.
Because seed or the words of God has potential, the enemy can do one of four things.
1. First, he can remove or steal the seed.
Luke 8:12. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
2. Secondly, the enemy can use temptation to kill the seed or words of Jesus.
Luke 8:13. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.
3. Thirdly, the enemy can use the things of the world to eliminate the seeds and the words of God.
Luke 8:14. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
4. Lastly, the enemy can sow his own seed. His own words and ideas.
Matt. 13:24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.
Paul clearly warns us about this. The enemy wants to corrupt your thinking.
1Tim. 6:5 Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2Tim. 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
The enemy would love for you to think the way he thinks. He understands that the mind of men is gullible. It is so easy to get people to believe something as the truth when in fact it is a lie. The news media, political agendas, and religion fight daily for the control of the minds of men. They understand the power they will have when they look like the truth. They will gain it through fear-mongering and manipulation, lies and deception, having a form of godliness but denying the power of God.
How do we stay focused and keep the enemy from capturing our thoughts?
Prov 4:23-27 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Finally, Paul writes in Phill 4:7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will GUARD your heart and minds through Christ Jesus.
