Let's look at the third factor that cause negative thinking--our flesh or humanly nature.
Literally, flesh is our physical nature, the muscular and fatty tissue parts of the body, which are separate from our spirit or soul. Figuratively, flesh is our human nature. It is equated to our fallen, sinful, and dysfunctional nature (Gal. 5:17; Jude 23)—humanity’s natural orientation away from God. The moment we are born, the struggle with our flesh begins, because we are born slaves to sin (John 8:34). We are less able to choose right.
The flesh is our desires. Desires are good in themselves, such as desires for food, sleep, and sex; desires to achieve and succeed. There are proper ways to satisfy each of these desires, and there are also divinely imposed limits. It is when we are tempted that we usually cross those limits. This is where our opponent, Satan, strikes. He takes advantage of our bent toward doing precisely what God would not want us to do. James said, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed (James 1:14-15).
Until you understand your fleshly nature, conquering toxic thoughts will be hindered. When our flesh dominates the mind, our thinking is compromised. Scripture states, “Those who live according to the sinful nature [the flesh] have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Rom. 8:5).
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Fighting for Our Mind
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
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
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Source of Negative Thinking
Last week I talked about how toxic thinking is influenced by three different, but related, ways: through the world, through spiritual warfare, and through our own flesh--our own nature.Today I want to focus on how “the world” can be a source of negative thinking. “The world” touches everyone in many different ways. Worldliness is the attitude that places, self, or things at the center of one’s aspirations and activities.
Secular usually means “belonging to this age or this world.” Worldliness, or secularism, is a worldview or lifestyle oriented toward the irreligious rather than the sacred, towards the natural rather than supernatural. It is the ungodly aspects of our culture, peer pressure, values, traditions, what is in, what is uncool, customs, philosophies and attitudes.
Secularism is guilty of having “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).
Although believers are told not to be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2) we nonetheless are influenced by it. Most Christians live in two different worlds: the one on Sunday morning and the one that includes rest of the week. In practice, both worlds clash. Our disposition, temperament and habits are manipulated through the workplace, media and entertainment industries, advertising, the education system, peer groups; world views and philosophies. No doubt our minds are more at risk now than ever.
If we follow the world’s ways, we miss God’s blessings. Jesus’s disciple John said, “Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father” (1 John 2:15, Msg).
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
Secular usually means “belonging to this age or this world.” Worldliness, or secularism, is a worldview or lifestyle oriented toward the irreligious rather than the sacred, towards the natural rather than supernatural. It is the ungodly aspects of our culture, peer pressure, values, traditions, what is in, what is uncool, customs, philosophies and attitudes.
Secularism is guilty of having “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).
Although believers are told not to be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2) we nonetheless are influenced by it. Most Christians live in two different worlds: the one on Sunday morning and the one that includes rest of the week. In practice, both worlds clash. Our disposition, temperament and habits are manipulated through the workplace, media and entertainment industries, advertising, the education system, peer groups; world views and philosophies. No doubt our minds are more at risk now than ever.
If we follow the world’s ways, we miss God’s blessings. Jesus’s disciple John said, “Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father” (1 John 2:15, Msg).
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Why do I let my negative thoughts influence me?
How would answer hat question? I say it’s because we are in bondage. One who is in bondage suffers captivity of some sort. Not literal chains or bars, but in beliefs and behavior. We cannot spend day after day in this world without it affecting our minds, our hearts, and our souls. They become unguarded. Our hearts start to shift away from God. And the ironic thing is the harder we work to become free, the more freedom we seem to lose.
Most often we aren’t even aware this is happening. We go about our business believing all is well, but deep down inside something feels wrong. If we live with something long enough, we don’t pay attention to it. This is the way life is supposed to work out! That’s bondage. David cried to God, “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Ps. 13:2, my emphasis). His soul is conflicted.
A major portion of understanding how our past influences the present is becoming aware of the three major influences in our lives and then learning how to resist them. Toxic thinking is influenced by three different, but related, ways: through the world, through spiriutal warfare, and through our own flesh--our own nature. These negative influences commonly work together to lead people away from God, negatively affecting our beliefs, thinking, and behavior. These are our conflict zones. Next week we'll talk about "the world."
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask
Check out my website: www.olivebranchoutreach.com/edindex.htlm for lots of inspiration, Scripture and help.
Most often we aren’t even aware this is happening. We go about our business believing all is well, but deep down inside something feels wrong. If we live with something long enough, we don’t pay attention to it. This is the way life is supposed to work out! That’s bondage. David cried to God, “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Ps. 13:2, my emphasis). His soul is conflicted.
A major portion of understanding how our past influences the present is becoming aware of the three major influences in our lives and then learning how to resist them. Toxic thinking is influenced by three different, but related, ways: through the world, through spiriutal warfare, and through our own flesh--our own nature. These negative influences commonly work together to lead people away from God, negatively affecting our beliefs, thinking, and behavior. These are our conflict zones. Next week we'll talk about "the world."
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask
Check out my website: www.olivebranchoutreach.com/edindex.htlm for lots of inspiration, Scripture and help.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Negative Thinking Stifles Good Health
Let’s do an attitude check. If someone were to follow you around this week, how would they describe you?
1. Gracious or cranky?
2. Complimentary or critical?
3. Encouraging or bitter?
Our attitudes are important to health and success in life. Our lives affect those we have contact with, either positively or negatively. Because emotions and behaviors involve a complex interplay between the heart, the mind, and the body, it benefits us to know how our mind is influenced and how our brain works.
Your body believes every word you say! We do not merely experience anger in our minds, we feel it biologically in our body—our muscles tense and stomachs ache. Understanding ourselves, and other people, is critical to mind change and our overall growth. If we were to look at our brain, we may see a dark abscess caused by the stronghold of anger. The same is true for envy, anxiety, lust, fear, depression, and other emotions.
The Bible says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Prov. 14:30). There is a direct correlation between pessimistic, toxic thinking and illness. If we do not have a change of mind, we can actually make ourselves sick! Our body truly speaks our mind.
Even as a Christian, my mind continued to create negative thoughts, which translated into bad feelings and behaviors. Not only was my mind and heart tormented, but so was my physical body. I was diagnosed with lupus, gastritis, and shingles. No question, what you think influences your biological body. Toxic thinking can manifest itself in bodily symptoms such as cancer, diabetes, allergies, to name a few.
Research confirms some of our behaviors actually prevent us from being our best selves. The reasons may be varied, from psychological or biological causes to spiritual warfare, or a combination. We know our brain speaks to our body and vice versa. There is an ongoing symphony of chemicals playing through your body twenty-four hours a day. Our way of thinking affects the functioning of that whole electrical-chemical cycle. When the cycle is upset, all sorts of illnesses and injuries can result, impairing our ability to decipher truth and live a fulfilling life.
Finding the root cause does not excuse bad behavior or lessen the need to seek spiritual or therapeutic help. Rather, it allows us to better understand why we do what we do so we might choose better alternatives.
I will be exploring many of those alternatives in upcoming blogs.
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask
Check out my website: www.olivebranchoutreach.com/edindex.htlm for lots of inspiration, Scripture and help.
1. Gracious or cranky?
2. Complimentary or critical?
3. Encouraging or bitter?
Our attitudes are important to health and success in life. Our lives affect those we have contact with, either positively or negatively. Because emotions and behaviors involve a complex interplay between the heart, the mind, and the body, it benefits us to know how our mind is influenced and how our brain works.
Your body believes every word you say! We do not merely experience anger in our minds, we feel it biologically in our body—our muscles tense and stomachs ache. Understanding ourselves, and other people, is critical to mind change and our overall growth. If we were to look at our brain, we may see a dark abscess caused by the stronghold of anger. The same is true for envy, anxiety, lust, fear, depression, and other emotions.
The Bible says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Prov. 14:30). There is a direct correlation between pessimistic, toxic thinking and illness. If we do not have a change of mind, we can actually make ourselves sick! Our body truly speaks our mind.
Even as a Christian, my mind continued to create negative thoughts, which translated into bad feelings and behaviors. Not only was my mind and heart tormented, but so was my physical body. I was diagnosed with lupus, gastritis, and shingles. No question, what you think influences your biological body. Toxic thinking can manifest itself in bodily symptoms such as cancer, diabetes, allergies, to name a few.
Research confirms some of our behaviors actually prevent us from being our best selves. The reasons may be varied, from psychological or biological causes to spiritual warfare, or a combination. We know our brain speaks to our body and vice versa. There is an ongoing symphony of chemicals playing through your body twenty-four hours a day. Our way of thinking affects the functioning of that whole electrical-chemical cycle. When the cycle is upset, all sorts of illnesses and injuries can result, impairing our ability to decipher truth and live a fulfilling life.
Finding the root cause does not excuse bad behavior or lessen the need to seek spiritual or therapeutic help. Rather, it allows us to better understand why we do what we do so we might choose better alternatives.
I will be exploring many of those alternatives in upcoming blogs.
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask
Check out my website: www.olivebranchoutreach.com/edindex.htlm for lots of inspiration, Scripture and help.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Why are we so unhappy with our bodies?
Body Image and Self-Esteem
I don’t think any of us would disagree that we are under pressure to measure up to a certain social and cultural ideal of beauty, which can lead to poor body image. Images we see daily can reinforce an already negative opinion we have of our body, leading us to believe we are overweight and not able to meet the “perfect” American standard.
Family and friends can influence our body image with positive and/or negative comments. Doctors and other professionals also have a powerful impact on our body image. Their comments may be delivered as health advice, but if misinterpreted, affects how we perceive our body.
We all have days when we feel awkward or uncomfortable in our bodies. The key to developing positive body image is to recognize and respect our natural shape and learn to overpower those negative thoughts and feelings with positive, affirming, and accepting thoughts. Accept yourself. Accept your body. Celebrate yourself. Celebrate your body.
What is body image?
Slowly over time, you developed your body image based on what your family, boyfriend(s), and/or husband(s), coaches, and teachers told you. Add to that thousands of daily media messages from magazines, novels, television, music, and you start to believe that you’re fat or ugly. All these negative thoughts and beliefs can lead down a self-destructive path unless you know how to recognize and cope with them. A woman with a healthy body image respects her body, takes care of her body, and keeps her body in perspective.
What is self-esteem? Self-esteem is defined as “a confidence and satisfaction in oneself.” It is your overall evaluation of your self-worth and how you value your own attributes. How high or low your self-esteem is depends on how you compare what you’d like to be with how you actually see yourself.
Research shows that girls lose twenty-three percent of their self-esteem between elementary and middle school. A study by the American Association of University Women found only twenty-nine percent of high school girls were happy with themselves.
Psychologists describe key components of self-esteem as how you evaluate yourself in terms of important characteristics like what you are good at, what you are not so good at, and the kinds of situations you prefer or avoid.
Most of our feelings about ourselves are built into us in childhood. If we were fortunate to have loving parents who conveyed our worth in their relationship to us, and if we grew up in a safe environment with positive relationships with peers, teachers, and role models, then it is likely we will feel reasonably good about ourselves. However, if faced with negative influences in childhood, it may not take much to tip the balance the other way.
“The body is a sacred garment. It’s your first and last garment; it is what you enter life in and what you depart life with, and it should be treated with honor.” –Martha Graham
Read this excerpt from “I’m Beautiful? Why Can’t I See It?” by Kimberly Davidson.
I don’t think any of us would disagree that we are under pressure to measure up to a certain social and cultural ideal of beauty, which can lead to poor body image. Images we see daily can reinforce an already negative opinion we have of our body, leading us to believe we are overweight and not able to meet the “perfect” American standard.
Family and friends can influence our body image with positive and/or negative comments. Doctors and other professionals also have a powerful impact on our body image. Their comments may be delivered as health advice, but if misinterpreted, affects how we perceive our body.
We all have days when we feel awkward or uncomfortable in our bodies. The key to developing positive body image is to recognize and respect our natural shape and learn to overpower those negative thoughts and feelings with positive, affirming, and accepting thoughts. Accept yourself. Accept your body. Celebrate yourself. Celebrate your body.
What is body image?
Slowly over time, you developed your body image based on what your family, boyfriend(s), and/or husband(s), coaches, and teachers told you. Add to that thousands of daily media messages from magazines, novels, television, music, and you start to believe that you’re fat or ugly. All these negative thoughts and beliefs can lead down a self-destructive path unless you know how to recognize and cope with them. A woman with a healthy body image respects her body, takes care of her body, and keeps her body in perspective.
What is self-esteem? Self-esteem is defined as “a confidence and satisfaction in oneself.” It is your overall evaluation of your self-worth and how you value your own attributes. How high or low your self-esteem is depends on how you compare what you’d like to be with how you actually see yourself.
Research shows that girls lose twenty-three percent of their self-esteem between elementary and middle school. A study by the American Association of University Women found only twenty-nine percent of high school girls were happy with themselves.
Psychologists describe key components of self-esteem as how you evaluate yourself in terms of important characteristics like what you are good at, what you are not so good at, and the kinds of situations you prefer or avoid.
Most of our feelings about ourselves are built into us in childhood. If we were fortunate to have loving parents who conveyed our worth in their relationship to us, and if we grew up in a safe environment with positive relationships with peers, teachers, and role models, then it is likely we will feel reasonably good about ourselves. However, if faced with negative influences in childhood, it may not take much to tip the balance the other way.
“The body is a sacred garment. It’s your first and last garment; it is what you enter life in and what you depart life with, and it should be treated with honor.” –Martha Graham
Read this excerpt from “I’m Beautiful? Why Can’t I See It?” by Kimberly Davidson.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Replace Negative Self-talk with the Positive
Henry Ford said, “If you believe you can and if you believe you can’t, you’re right.”
Many women fear confronting the memories of the past. Why do we need to? To know the why opens the door to seeing the possibility of seeing the seriousness of a problem and the need for more than “Just stop” or “Go away thought.” Often mere behavior modification isn’t the answer. Recognition of the motivation behind the thought or behavior reveals our need to avail ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit so he can expose the darkness and bring truth and light into our life.
When we understand the memory or the thought, the soul heals because we are freed from unnecessary guilt, anxiety, and shame. Interrogating the whys is to embrace God’s biblical path for your life. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, ask:
1. What is the source? Where did that thought come from? The devil, the flesh, or the world? Yes! Toss it out.
2. Can I defend this thought from the Word of God? No! Toss it out.
3. Is this pride? Is this about me receiving credit? Am I thinking too highly of myself or poorly about someone else? Yes! Toss it out.
4. If I follow this thought will this get me where God wants me to go in life? No! Toss it out.
5. Will this thought build me up or tear me down? Jealousy, greed, anger, and pride will tear you down. Toss it out.
6. Will I reap freedom and joy by allowing this thought through my sieve? No! Toss it out.
7. Is this thought scripturally sound? Is it truth? Go ahead and do it…everybody’s doing it. No! Toss it out.
8. Can I share this thought? No! Toss it out.
9. Does this thought make me feel shamed or condemned? Yes! Toss it out.
10. Does this fit who I am (my character) as the daughter and a follower of Jesus? No! Toss it out.
11. Does this thought bring glory to Jesus? No! Toss it out.
12. Am I buying into the devil’s message through romance novels, soap operas, gossipy conversations, movies, or magazines? Yes! Toss it out.
Reflect: God’s Word says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). Stand firm on your foundation of who God is. Stand firm on who you are in Jesus Christ. Stand firm on your faith on all of God’s promises every day.
Pray: Jesus, thank you for continuing to liberate me. Deliver me today from any yoke of bondage by revealing anything that needs to be broken and restored by you. Help me to recognize and stand strong against my enemies and stand firm in who I am in you. Protect me and help me to repent so I won’t be drawn back into those things which have kept my mind enslaved to the world’s, the devil’s, and my own flesh’s ways.
Many women fear confronting the memories of the past. Why do we need to? To know the why opens the door to seeing the possibility of seeing the seriousness of a problem and the need for more than “Just stop” or “Go away thought.” Often mere behavior modification isn’t the answer. Recognition of the motivation behind the thought or behavior reveals our need to avail ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit so he can expose the darkness and bring truth and light into our life.
When we understand the memory or the thought, the soul heals because we are freed from unnecessary guilt, anxiety, and shame. Interrogating the whys is to embrace God’s biblical path for your life. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, ask:
1. What is the source? Where did that thought come from? The devil, the flesh, or the world? Yes! Toss it out.
2. Can I defend this thought from the Word of God? No! Toss it out.
3. Is this pride? Is this about me receiving credit? Am I thinking too highly of myself or poorly about someone else? Yes! Toss it out.
4. If I follow this thought will this get me where God wants me to go in life? No! Toss it out.
5. Will this thought build me up or tear me down? Jealousy, greed, anger, and pride will tear you down. Toss it out.
6. Will I reap freedom and joy by allowing this thought through my sieve? No! Toss it out.
7. Is this thought scripturally sound? Is it truth? Go ahead and do it…everybody’s doing it. No! Toss it out.
8. Can I share this thought? No! Toss it out.
9. Does this thought make me feel shamed or condemned? Yes! Toss it out.
10. Does this fit who I am (my character) as the daughter and a follower of Jesus? No! Toss it out.
11. Does this thought bring glory to Jesus? No! Toss it out.
12. Am I buying into the devil’s message through romance novels, soap operas, gossipy conversations, movies, or magazines? Yes! Toss it out.
Reflect: God’s Word says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). Stand firm on your foundation of who God is. Stand firm on who you are in Jesus Christ. Stand firm on your faith on all of God’s promises every day.
Pray: Jesus, thank you for continuing to liberate me. Deliver me today from any yoke of bondage by revealing anything that needs to be broken and restored by you. Help me to recognize and stand strong against my enemies and stand firm in who I am in you. Protect me and help me to repent so I won’t be drawn back into those things which have kept my mind enslaved to the world’s, the devil’s, and my own flesh’s ways.
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