Not in the Flesh

Today’s Insight in the Word-
2 Corinthians 10 – While we are living in this world our hope and walk should remain in the Lord.  We are not fighting a physical battle while here on earth, but a spiritual one.  The devil seeks to make war on the mind and soul.  Not being prepared, just as in any war, can lead to defeat.  When facing temptation or breaking strongholds in our lives we must be dependent on the Lord as a source of strength.  When Jesus was tempted, it was prayer to the Lord God that strengthened Him and faith in Him.  It goes hand and hand.  When we pray, we must not dwell on things, but have faith that God will provide no matter the outcome.  We must not live on bread alone, but on the words of the Lord as He promised. 

We must also take captive thoughts that can harm us or others.  We should never allow our minds to wander aimlessly, where it is prone to attack.  We must think dilligently, with purpose, and take negative thoughts captive as Christ commands.  We are fleshly and it is normal to have a wandering mind, but it is not okay to allow sin to pollute it or allow it to provoke negative thoughts or accusations about another person OR ourselves (a self-defeating attitude of not being good enough).  Live in obedience by taking hold of your mind and body and controlling it by bringing it to submission in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  James 3:2 ” for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.”  The next step is to pick ourselves up and persevere.
Vs 3-5 – “For although we are walking in the flesh, we do not wage war in a fleshly way, since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

Walking in the Word – When facing depression, anxiety, anger, temptation, or when the devil tries to develop a stronghold in my life I will seek the Lord for my weapons of warfare.  I will pray in His name and demolish any stronghold in my life.  I will not grow weary and my weapons will not dull because they are not physical and not of my own.  I will seek the Lord God as my Strong Tower (Proverbs 18:10) and dwell in His shadow (Psalm 91:1) and under His wing for protection (Psalm 91:4).  I will take every negative thought captive in His name (2 Corinthians 10:5) as to not pollute what He has entrusted me with.  It is my duty to care for what God has given me.

Prayer Response to the Word – Father, I thank You that You have given me much to be thankful for.  No matter the storm or the clear day Lord I will praise You because there is none like You.  While You alone laid the foundations of the earth I was nowhere to be found.  You have baffled the minds of the teached and You have kept from man the mysteries of the universe.  While my mind is weak, it is shielded by You.  If You Lord are with me, no one can stand against me.  So while I am weak, I am protected by You, and therefore I am strong.  Lord You give me water and life and You give abundantly.  No one knows my needs like You and no one gives gifts like You.  I am so thankful for what You do for me.  I pray that my mind is protected by the Holy Spirit and that my lips are bridled and brought to control under Your authority.  May I seek to always do what is pleasing in Your sight, no matter what man may say to me or do to me.  I pray that You strengthen me so I am not tempted by evil and that I can be a brother to those You have entrusted me with.  Lord, I ask that You bless the fruit of my hands and that You are glorified in my life.  Thank You Lord!  While I am undeserving You still bless me.  I love You Lord and I lift Your name on High!  In Jesus wonderful name, Amen and Amen!