Be Mentally Self-Controlled

Satan works in the realm of thoughts and feelings. He has the ability to place thoughts in our minds. He can manipulate the senses and make us feel certain things. That’s the reason that we must walk by faith and not by sight!

Satan’s first line of attack is in our thoughts. Notice 1 Peter 5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The Greek word for sober could be translated be mentally self controlled, or be free from mental intoxicants. He seeks to plant a thought of fear or doubt in our mind and then get us to act on it so that he can in some way steal, kill, and destroy. So it’s important that we guard our thoughts carefully. The word vigilant in this verse means to be ever on your guard.

Ephesians 6:11 reads: Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The word wiles here is from the Greek word methodia. Methodia is a compound word taken from the Greek words meta (with) and hodos (road). Together they mean with a road, revealing that Satan has a route or a road that he travels on when attacking you. That road is your thought life.

2 Corinthians 2:11 reveals: Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. The word devices in the Greek is noema and refers to the thoughts. You could translate the latter part of this verse: for we are not ignorant of his mind games! Satan seeks to use your own thoughts against you.

Then notice 2 Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. Our fight is to keep our thoughts free from the negatives, doubt, fear, and impurity that Satan brings. Our battle is in the realm of thinking. Spiritual warfare occurs between our ears!

Lastly, let me refer you to what I call the Christians “think list.” Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.(Philippians 4:8- KJV). The quality of your Christian life is directly related to the quality of your thoughts.

As you go through your day today, compare your thought life to the list. Are your thoughts, true honest, just, pure, lovely, positive, and worthy of praise? If not, change them! Your peace, joy, and success in God today will be directly related to what you do with your idle mental time! Keep them clean and positive and allow the Father to work in you and through you. Put up a roadblock on the road Satan wants to travel to gain entrance into your life. Be mentally self-controlled! Don’t play Satan’s mind games!