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The Battle for Your Heart Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Everything begins with thought. Life consists of what a man thinks about all day". It has been said that we process about 10,000 thoughts a day. Guys, if all your thoughts could be seen by those closest to you, how would you feel?Proud? Happy? Scared or maybe embarrassed? If you chose the last two, join the club. First, let me tell you that most men struggle with thoughts. Lust, greed, and jealousy are just a few. Second, many of these thoughts are a byproduct of a world whose leader has one goal in mind; to steal, kill and destroy! John 10:10 We live in a culture that bombards our minds daily with Satan's propaganda by:
Can you imagine the marriage? Don't judge the sister too harshly because, she is trained to think this way by her nightly meditation, the TV. Most shows depict Dad as the weak-minded idiot, Mother as the influential mediator, and a kid who is granted wisdom after a lesson learned. Is there a common thread here? Yes, they are all pawns partaking in Satan's plan to renew your mind. They all influence a generation on how to think, believe, and live. Ask a teenager what the school kids think about oral sex today? Satan will attack your mind through thoughts that carry lies and reasoning. John 8:44 These thoughts are usually contrary to what scripture says, as he will twist truth to encourage compromise. You might be thinking, "Doesn't he have bigger fish to fry"? Nope, he wants you. His job is to get to your heart and build "strongholds". The Message calls these strongholds "warped philosophies". 2Corinthians 10:4. Simply put, a stronghold is a collection of thoughts and a way of thinking that sets itself against the truth of God. An example would be the Christian man who knows that lusting over a women is wrong, as per Ephesians 5:3 (The not even a hint deal). Unfortunately, he has succumbed to worldly reasoning enough times to build a stronghold that barks its OK. His heart is where the stronghold lives, as Satan builds upon it, TV show by TV show, newspaper by newspaper. The heart is the deepest part of man, the seat of the mind. It's where belief, feelings and thoughts live. The heart is revealed by our words and actions. It's where Salvation as well as adultery takes place. Romans 10:9, Matthew 5:28 It's where we love God, while He also says out of it comes all types of evil. Matthew 15:19 It's where the Holy Spirit whispers and lives. It's the place Jeremiah said is "hopelessly sick and incurable". Jeremiah 17:9 Jesus always drove right to the issues of the heart and exposed it. Ask the Pharisees and Scribes. (You may see one or two in heaven.) Unlike the church today, he did not tell the men to be nice boys and smile all the time. He stirred passion in them. Passion with desires that came from "a new heart and new spirit, as He took out the heart of stone and replaced it with a heart of flesh". Ezekiel 36:26 Praise God brother! He washed you just as clean as them. So how about you my friend? Which heart beats louder? Your old sick one, or the "new one" Christ Jesus gave you upon your conversion? Are we ready to fight for the hearts of our family by fighting for our own first? Or will we just allow the Bad Guy to keep pounding away time after time in an effort to control your mind and capture your heart? "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways". James 1:8 We are told, "Above all else to guard our hearts" like a soldier guards a fortress. Proverbs 4:23 God knows without a fight your heart will be stolen. With a fight you have a chance to control your thoughts, your thinking which in turn will yield a Godly life. Brother, I want to encourage you. Let you know that there is hope. A hope that can start today if you will just change a few habits. Where you "choose to set your mind" Colossians 3:2 will determine what thoughts come and what thoughts go. Spending time with your Lord will reap the mind of Christ. 1Corinthians 2:16 That mind will give you the pure thoughts you are looking for. God would not have told us to "think on these things" if it was not possible. Philippians 4:8 Find a new way to wind down. Slowly limit your TV watching. Associate with like minded believers. The Bible, Christian books and music should be a part of your life. This is setting your mind on the things of God. Do it and watch your thinking improve as your joy will increase. Man of God, your heart is where He plants His vision and desires for you in what may be your purpose on earth for Him. Guard your heart wisely for the battle rages for it everyday. "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he". God4me Men's Network is a National alliance of Churches and Men's groups systematically training and assisting men in their pursuit of significance and purpose. "Discipleship Boot camps" are forums to provide encouragement, instruction and fellowship for the transformed man. Anointed speakers help men replace the lies of the world with Biblical truth. Upbeat and practical topics such as "Brainwashed", "A Man's Wild Heart", "The Purpose-Driven Man", and "As a Man Thinketh" are presented in a user friendly environment where men are free to "hear and respond". Movie clips and skits are used expressing the practicality of the topics. Food is served for time in fellowship, and short interactive workshops create a dynamic effective arena for change in men. Please visit Invasion for up to date information on events. Please Visit: God4Me.com |
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