Make no mistake, we are at war. We are in the spiritual battle of and for our lives.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
The mistake far too many new creations make is feeling they are helpless to do anything about the culture in which they live. The big mistake is believing their citizenship is of this world. We are aliens in a strange land simply by virtue of our new nature. When we were born again we became exiles—but that is a good and grand thing because that means we are citizens of the kingdom of God!
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” —Jesus (John 15:19)
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Even though we are not citizens of this world, we need to remember that people who do not know Jesus are not the enemy. People are not our enemy! The enemy—the liar—is the enemy! We are at war with the spirit of darkness no matter how much the world mocks us. We must recognize and realize that we must fight that battle. And even though we must fight, and fighting involves strategy and stamina, we have been wired—as new creations—for both. Not only that, but we have been given the necessary weapons with which to wage this war. And not only that, but we have been given the authority to do so. We have been given authority over the enemy.
Strategy: We Win!
The good news about the war we are in is that we win! No matter what, we win! So replace the lie that condemns you as a loser and put on the Truth of God’s Word. You are destined to win! We may have losses and fail from time to time in our thought life, but we must have this attitude: one lost battle does not equal the loss of the entire war. The only failure is the man or woman who falls and simply decides to not get back up. A victor just keeps getting back up and heading for the finish line: toward Jesus!
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. (Revelations 12:11)
In faith, I have overcome even my past and even my old ways of thinking by appropriating the blood of Jesus Christ as having paid my debt in full. As I speak of what God has done for me— as I testify to His power and love in my life—that very appropriation of faith brings me even more renewal of thought and more and more victory. Because I have no doubt about His love for me, fear has been taken out of the equation as well.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
Just in case you were wondering, Jesus was tempted in every manner, just as you and I are tempted. Temptation does not equal sin. Temptation becomes an opportunity to choose the way we think. We are never to be defined by the things that tempt us. We are meant to be defined by our Maker! Knowing Jesus understands what I have been faced with gives me hope and grace and faith—and a new way of thinking about the things that tempt me. With every temptation He makes a way of escape. That means I have yet another opportunity to seek the Lord for the way of escape. Suddenly, my thoughts are taken off of me and placed on hope. When Jesus was tempted, what did He do? He chose to put off the lie and put on the Truth of God’s Word. We can do the same.
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” —Jesus (Matthew 4:4)
And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” —Jesus (Luke 10:27)
Part of our strategy as new creations in the battles we face is knowing that regardless of what we are faced with, God has made a way. We are afflicted, but we are not crushed. The world around us walks in despair, but we have hope. We will be persecuted, but never forgotten. Even if we are struck down, we can never be destroyed! What a great strategy our God has given us. Let us change the way we think and let victory be our way of thinking!
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)
Stamina
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)
I will be honest with you. From time to time, I grow tired of the battle. Not the battle for my own thoughts, that’s a battle that I find joyful because it affords me constant companionship with Jesus. My weariness stems from the constant belittling from the world. How many times can one hear the words, “You’re doing more damage than good by telling someone they can change”? How many times can one be called delusional or a hater or a bigot or worse before it begins to weigh on them? How many times can one be told by the Christian music business to stop sharing your story because we don’t know how to market you? Personally, when I feel overwhelmed by such thoughts, I take steps to clear the clouds of thought by ceasing. I stop listening to the hateful voices. I stop watching the evening news. I stop allowing the culture to invade my thought life. I withdraw into seclusion and restore my soul.
My understanding is that my faith will be tested, by both the church and the world. But that very faith leads me to endurance—standing through thick or thin due to the grace afforded me by Christ. The result? My needs are met and I can go back and face the world for another season of battle. Remember, we are not in a sprint. We are running a marathon...and we have been equipped for the long haul.
Weapons
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
My weaponry is simple. I have a sword. It is vital that every believer put on the Truth of God’s Word. Not only does this accomplish the victory in our minds over our own thoughts, but it affords us victory over the enemy! Jesus used the Word when He was tempted. We can do no less! Memorize it. Put on its Truth in thought and concept. Wear it. Allow it to permeate your thoughts. Allow the Word to be the filter of your mind, and use it. Often. Loudly. Boldly. It is your sword, believer.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 KJV)
Armor
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of god, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. and take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:11-17)
When God calls us to be born again, He offers us the armor we will need for each and every battle we will ever face. We are granted this armor in the moment of salvation, but we must learn to appropriate it into our very thought-life, be aware that it is there—or we will never use it to its full purpose and power.
Gird your spiritual loins. Just as we take steps to protect the life-giving part of who we are as humans—protective athletic cups, armor, padding, etc.—we are to protect our thought-life. In human physiology, the loins are where the seeds of life emanate from. This is a picture of how we are to guard over our own life—the way we think—with Truth. Renew the mind and we guard over life.
Cover your heart with the breastplate of righteousness. This means we simply call ourselves what God calls us. Refer to the chapter on declarations. My personal rule is that I cannot call myself something my Father does not call me. This keeps my heart covered.
Shod your feet with the Gospel of Peace. In other words, we are not here for our own glory or pleasure, but for His. We are ministers of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for Christ. Every step we take is a part of this mission—to bring others the life and light of Jesus Christ!
Take up the shield of faith. This is simply walking in the Truth that God is in control, regardless.
Put on the helmet of salvation. This is simply covering one’s mind with the Truth that they are born again. Saved from sin. Utterly, irrevocably purchased by and belonging to God. Again, the mind is covered and thoughts are renewed.
The sword of the Spirit. The Word of God. Need I say more?
Authority
Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. (Matthew 10:1)
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18)
As disciples of Christ, we are commanded to go and make more disciples. Because we are disciples of Christ, He has given us authority—the right and power—to wield His Truth to and in the world around us. Our job is to believe it and receive it, and to walk in it. And how do we walk in it? We put off the thoughts of the enemy that would persuade us otherwise, and we put on the Truth that we do have the authority Jesus granted to us along with those first disciples.
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” —Jesus (Luke 10:19)
Not only do we have authority over the enemy, we do not fight alone! We must remember this. We do not fight alone. It is a good thing to band with other believers in agreement as we face the lies of the enemy. When I am embattled with stinkin’ thinkin’, I always let others know. Always! This not only emboldens my own heart, but it puts the enemy on notice and in flight.
And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
We were never intended to be lone sheep. Wisdom calls for us to bind our hearts with others in the body of Christ. This ensures wisdom and victory—especially in our thought-life.
Where there is no guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is victory. (Proverbs 11:14)
For by wise guidance you will wage war,
And in abundance of counselors there is victory. (Proverbs 24:6)
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13)
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Do you want victory over your thoughts? Do you want to win? Do you want to win the battle for your mind? Put on the Truth of God’s Word!
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4: 8)
Dennis Jernigan
This teaching is from the Dennis Jernigan book, Renewing Your Mind - Identity and the Matter of Choice. That book is available at https://www.amazon.com/Renewing-Your-Mind-Identity-Matter/dp/1613143737/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1X65NPI8U9YFR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AzdEHdBTMOTtUENfsWu4UA.iqW1r7w7iwlGizbjnBz1FgM45tDrmRp4AVQvUh0pUPk&dib_tag=se&keywords=Renewing+Your+Mind+-+Identity+and+the+Matter+of+Choice+dennis+jernigan&qid=1750185544&sprefix=renewing+your+mind+-+identity+and+the+matter+of+choice+dennis+jernigan%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1
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