The Battle for Your Mind

Sermon OverviewScripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5Whether we realize it or not, there is a battle raging in our minds at every moment: spiritual warfare between light and darkness, good and evil, Jesus Christ and Satan. We cannot afford to be ignorant, and we cannot possibly be neutral.2 Corinthians 10 shares encouragement for us in this battle for our minds.First, this passage warns us of the warfare of our foe.There is a deadly array of demons dedicated to the destruction of our thought lives. They are under the authority of the prince of darkness—the devil. He wants our minds, because it is through the mind that God communicates, changes, and controls us. When we’re saved, we receive the mind of Christ, and use our minds in different capacities than we once did. The devil wants to corrupt our minds so we fall out of fellowship with Christ.Second, this passage addresses the weakness of our flesh.“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:3).The spiritual battle is not in the flesh, but our flesh can be a point of weakness in our fight. We do not have what it takes to overcome on our own.This passage also reminds us of the weapons of our fight.“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).One of our weapons is the sovereignty of God, who is our Commander-in-Chief in this fight.We also have the authority of our commission, as 2 Corinthians 10:8 says: “For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed…”Finally, remember, we have our certain courage.Jesus Christ has already won the war. We win the battle each and every day by guarding our minds with all diligence (see Proverbs 4:23).Apply it to your lifeAdrian Rogers says, “Center your mind upon Jesus. Don’t let the devil take away your pure-hearted devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay in love with Him and there won’t be any room for those filthy, wicked, lustful, prideful thoughts that bombard us all.”