The Battlefield

Scripture Reading:
​2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV) 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.  
 
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.  

No question about it--the battlefield for each individual's soul is located in the mechanisms of our thought life.  Think of your thought life as the normal processes and thinking patterns that have been established over time.  These well-established patterns are now in control.  The question is this: Who has established the thinking patterns and what thinking patterns are being established right now?  These thinking patterns will exert a great amount of control over your future actions, so what are the primary inputs of information being fed into your brain?  Please note: All input counts!

Most of the input that shapes our thinking comes through what we "see" and what we "hear."  (But addictions are also developed through what we taste, smell and feel as well) What are you watching and what are you hearing?  What are your primary sources for education, entertainment and social development?  What movies do you watch?  What TV shows do you enjoy?  What music do you listen to?  What books do you read?  What friends do you listen to?  What advice do you receive at home, school and work?  What sites do you visit on the internet?  The list go on and on...  We are being shaped by what we feed into our brain on a regular basis.  This indeed is the battlefield.

​Paul gives us two strategies for the battle: 1) Let our knowledge of God and our Christ-centered values be the standard by which we evaluate the input.  If the ideas, values, thoughts and arguments do not met the "God-Standard" they need to be brought into captivity.  What does that mean?  That we simply do not give audience to ungodly thinking.  We don't allow secular thinking to take root in our brains.  2) Secondly, we need to pro-actively pursue Godly input.  We need to expose our brains to books, music, conversations, teaching, fellowship and communion with God; that is full of "things" that are noble, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.

Questions to Consider:

1. What are the main influences in your life?  (Consider what you are consuming in terms of what you are watching and reading)
2. As a follower of Christ, how much time per week do you spend filling your life with God's Word?  

Author's Note: This would probably make a better subject for a book than a devotional, but I wanted to draw attention to the ongoing battle.  We live in such a sensual, feel-good, me-centric, humanistic, nihilistic, post-truth world, where the lines between right and wrong are blurred and the wrong values are being championed.  It is hard not to be influenced or tainted by the exposure.  The Church will need to become increasingly counter-cultural.  We need to stop worrying about being relevant and start being the light.  Please note: A Church full of God's light will always be relevant to the purposes of God.  RJD 

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