If you give the enemy an inch, he's going to seize a mile.
If you allow him onto your mental playground, he's going to be the schoolyard bully.
If you allow him to dance with your insecurities and fears, he's going to seduce them at the end of the night. But he won't be gone by morning.
Allowing Satan to move in and unpack with his thoughts and ideas contrary to God's truth gives him complete control over your mind.
Entertaining that thing you fear happening.
That sin you can't distance yourself from enough.
That brokenness that feels like it will never heal.
That insecurity that makes you believe you aren't enough.
When we let him in, Satan wins.
His control breeds doubt and grows a wider chasm between us and God. It implies that these threats to our peace are bigger than God's power, provision, and redemption.
Sometimes our thoughts can be so invasive and predatory that shifting them feels insurmountable. This is where the word of God can be a weapon no enemy can defeat. Scripture serves as the perfect mantra to thwart the enemy and his efforts to control you.
If you have no more strength than this, repeat 2 Timothy 1:7 ad nauseam - "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." Or Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." But if the only word you can muster is "Jesus," he will hear you and sit beside you in your distress. Allow yourself to be baffled by the power of the holy spirit, God's word, and his calming presence.
through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
We cannot control everything that happens to and around us. We simply can't. We can't make mountains move with our worry, and our obsessing can't prevent that thing you're concerned about from coming to fruition. What we CAN control is what thoughts we allow to form about it and how we move forward.
Stand up to the playground bully.
Don't give him a single millimeter.
And don't let him sway and seduce you to think as he does.
When we let God's truth reign in our minds and don't give Satan's lies room to breathe, good wins.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
2 Corinthians 10:5 - "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
