“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make
it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV).
Today we look
at the last weapon that is listed in 2 Timothy 1:7 to defeat a spirit of
fear. “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and
self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV). Self-control is really not
self-control. It is Holy Spirit control, and only comes
when you surrender your mind so that the Lord can train the way you
think. Training your mind comes through making a choice to believe what
God's Word teaches no matter if your feelings don't go along with that
choice. You can choose faith over fear with this surrender. God is
faithful to empower you to win the hardest battle in your mind, but you
must allow Him to “own” your mind completely. Your greatest surrender
comes in your heart and mind. The battle to control any thought or fear
is easier when you surrender it to God's control. It is such a relief to
let Him fight the battle!
Recognize the fearful thought for what it is‒a threat to destroy your
peace and joy. Know God's Word and His promise that comes against that
thought. This is what makes study and knowledge of the Word critical.
Faith comes by hearing and applying the Word (Romans 10:17). Pray God's
promise from his Word, and tell Him your fear. Give your fear to him
with praise because you know He is faithful to take care of it. Now
refuse to worry about it anymore. When your fear rises to hit you again,
keep refusing it. Tell the enemy you have given it to God. Do it over
and over again. When you keep bringing your thoughts under God's
control, you will eventually defeat those fearful thoughts. Those
attacks will become just weak attempts. The control of your thoughts
will be in God's control. You will completely depend upon Him.
In
The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson writes, “God’s power, under us, in
us, surging through us, is exactly what turns dependence into
unforgettable experiences of completeness.” What makes complete
dependence upon the Lord an unforgettable experience? It becomes an
unforgettable experience when, in submission to His will, you receive
His power that brings completeness, healing, and renewal in the spirit
of your mind (Ephesians 4:23)
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