March 17, 2005

A Battlefield!

There are many fields of battle in this realm and the wars are fought by various means. However not all battles are between nations. Neighborhoods have become battlefields. Individual families have found themselves in the fray of interpersonal conflicts. Nevertheless, some of the greatest and most important battles may be those raging against or within the MIND. There are many ideologies in great conflict today; each desiring to plant its “flag of sovereignty” within us. We must be on guard regarding what we allow to come within the boarders of our life. What goes on within our MIND and the THOUGHTS which end up dominating our thinking should be of paramount concern to us.

Someone has offered the sound advice to “Let the mind of the Master be the master of your mind.” [source: list of sentence sermons]

Writing to the church at Corinth Paul stated…
“(4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments (5) and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO OBEY CHRIST,” ( 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV)

Paul did not use what the world seems to relate to: impressive resumes
( 1 Cor. 1:26), worldly learning, polished speech ( 1 Corinthians 2:1 & 4), or craftily formed arguments ( Colossians 2:4) as he shared the Gospel. Rather than fighting with weapons of deception, flattery, or greed (note 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5) Paul, with a desire to please God, waged war by continually exalting the truth. He recognized the great battlefield on which this war was to be fought was within hearts and minds in need of being brought under the control of Christ. Paul boldly and persistently spoke the Divine truth; that which truly has the power to set us free. ( John 8:31-32) He did not seek to make those he taught subject to Him, but rather to the truth of Christ. As his aim was to possess the mind of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 2:16), such should be our goal as well.

Truth can stand on its own. We just need allow it to dominate our THINKING while we also continue to hold it out to those around us. Christ is to be our Master and the Master of every thought so as to take it captive to obey Him. May we allow Christ to gain this sovereign victory within us.

Have a great day MASTERED BY CHRIST AND HIS WORD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Christian Sobriety

Posted by Carl Hanson at March 17, 2005 12:16 PM