The week before last I said negative and toxic thinking is influenced by three different, but related, ways: through the world, through spiritual warfare, and through our own flesh--our own nature. Last week I focused on how “the world” can be a source of negative thinking. Today I want to talk about the influence of spiritual warfare.
When we speak of spiritual warfare we are speaking about Satan himself. There are many popular ideas about this evil spirit being. Some think Satan is not real but rather a personification of the wickedness that abides in the world. Others contend that a human being can be under the control or the influence of spiritual forces such as demons. Many Christians who believe in Satan in general do not identify him as being the enemy of their personal lives. Or, they believe because they are Christian, they cannot be affected. This is a lie.
Paul told the Corinthians he was not unaware of Satan’s schemes (2 Cor. 2:11). In C. S. Lewis’ classic book The Screwtape Letters, the demon Screwtape teaches his young protégé, Wormwood, the art of snaring a new Christian. He writes, “Our policy, for this moment, is to conceal ourselves…I do not think you will have much difficulty in keeping the patient in the dark. The fact that “devils” are predominantly comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that he therefore cannot believe in you. ”
Satan is described as the ruler of a host of forces who hold humanity in slavery apart from God (Eph. 2:1-2). Scripture is clear the enemy isn’t one demon but an entire legion of evil spirits following Satan’s commands (Mark 5:1-20). He creates this bondage by influencing individuals to disobey God, to sin. If Satan doesn’t attack Christians, why are we instructed to put on the full armor of God so that we will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan (Eph. 6:1, TLB)?
The mind is Satan's most frequent target of attacks. Scripture supports this. Satan incited David to take a census of Israel (1 Chron. 21:1). Judas’s thoughts of betrayal against Jesus came from Satan (John 13.2). When Judas realized what he did, he took his own life. Suicide is a tragically permanent choice to a temporary problem, which I think best describes Satan’s modem operandi.
Satan deliberately attacks our thought process which ultimately affects our emotions and physical body. Did you know your body reacts to every negative thought because your brain releases chemicals that make your body feel bad? Surely you’ve noticed how your muscles tense, your heart beats faster, and your hands sweat when under negative pressure.
Why would Satan attack our minds? Because our minds are the part of the image of God where God communicates with us and reveals his will: “Be made new in the attitude of your minds; put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:23-24). God transforms ours lives by renewing our minds, which he does through his truth—the Word of God (John 17:17).
Unknowingly, we embrace the devil’s mind games and accept them as truth. Jesus said, “The devil was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him for he is a liar and the father of all lies” (John 8:44).
Lies are very powerful. If Satan can get you to believe a lie, then he can begin to work in your life to lead you away from God and into sin. When we believe the devil’s lie instead of God’s words of truth, we are powerless to do what is right. This is why he attacks our minds. Our only defense is the inspired Word of God. Faith in God’s truth equals victory; faith in Satan’s lies equals defeat and destruction. “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Ps. 145:18).
Our spiritual lives are under attack everyday. It is a war for our hearts and minds and bodies—our very souls. Our plan must be to make the enemy sorry he ever picked on us! Are you ready to fight for your heart, mind, and soul?
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
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