Thursday, August 12, 2010

THE BATTLE FOR THE MIND

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  - Ephesians 6:12

A careful study of Ephesians 6 informs us that we are in a war, and that our warfare is not with other human beings but with the devil and his demons.  Our enemy, Satan, attempts to defeat us with strategy and deceit, through well-laid plans and deliberate deception.

Jesus called the devil "the father of lies and of all that is false" (John 8:44).  He lies to you and me.  He tells us things about ourselves, about other people, and about circumstances that are just not true.  He does not, however, tell us the entire lie all at one time.

He begins by bombarding our mind with a cleverly devised pattern of little nagging thoughts, suspicions, doubts, fears, wonderings, reasonings, and theories.  He moves slowly and cautiously.  Remember, he has a strategy for his warfare.  He has studies us for a long time.

Satan knows what we like and what we don't like.  He knows our insecurities, weaknesses, and fears.  He knows what bothers us most and is willing to invest any amount of time to take to defeat us.  His strong point is patience.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It's true! I have seen how Satan is actively trying to destroy families. But, on the bright side, President Boyd K. Packer said in this last conference, "It might seem hopeless; it is monumentally difficult; but it is not only possible but certain that we will win the battle against Satan."
What a wonderful promise!