Mind Games

I once read an article on the internet where a woman was struggling with depression. The anxiety and depression was so overwhelming for her, yet her fears seemed trivial. As this person grew up, when the attacks happened it drove a wedge between her and God. When she felt fears and was upset, the deception of the devil drove her further from Christ. Once she sufficiently felt God would not help her with her fears, you utilized alcohol to fill that void.
           
The alcohol took her down a path of destruction until there was nothing else she could turn to. She was helpless. It was time for God’s miracle. The first miracle in her life was salvation. She accepted Jesus as her savior and God began to help her rebuild her life. This didn’t mean the attacks stopped. Instead soon they intensified. She plead and begged God to take the panic attacks away. She felt others could be healed by Christ but not her. She later recognized the devil would torment her in all sorts of ways. He was playing with her mind.

Do you find yourself confused? Do you have unexplainable fears? Are you present at some home or event but your mind is in outer space with extreme conflict? Is there a heaviness in your heart that won't leave? If someone could hear your thoughts what would they say? Are you so internally conflicted that your daily functions are hindered? God wants to fix that.

Let’s talk about King David. He was known to be a man after Gods own heart. He was not genetically an heir to the throne. In fact he was the last choice his father thought would even receive the anointing to be King. Even after receiving the anointing he had to run for his life and spend years in hiding and conflict before being seated at the throne. Once David was on the throne, he wasn’t perfect and he didn’t live happily ever after. Instead he endured multiple pains and afflictions just like you and I.

In fact, in Psalm 55 David is pleading with God He asks him to listen and answer him. He goes on to explain his afflictions and how his heart is in anguish. He was frustrated with persecution and enduring death. He simply wanted to escape his current circumstance. He asked God to go after his enemies and confuse them. He was broken hearted at the failed relationship with Saul and Jonathan. David was enduring a mind game. As he prayed, the revelation came to him and he realized God is in control and his trust must be in God.

The mind game the devil was playing with David was so apparent yet so real for each of us. There are several scriptures referencing that fact that God and God alone knows our thoughts. Some of them are Mark 2:8, Luke 6:8, Genesis 6:5 and Matthew 9:4. Never in scripture is there reference to the devil or demons knowing thoughts. The prophet Daniel made it clear nobody can hear our thoughts or dreams except God. Yet we somehow provide the devil unexplainable control..

In Daniel 2:27-28 (MSG) “Daniel answered the king, “No mere human can solve the king’s mystery, I don’t care who it is—no wise man, enchanter, magician, diviner. But there is a God in heaven who solves mysteries, and he has solved this one. He is letting King Nebuchadnezzar in on what is going to happen in the days ahead. This is the dream you had when you were lying on your bed, the vision that filled your mind:”
           
Ephesians 6; 12 (AMPC) “For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.”

The devil uses mind control tactics much like a pedophile. He grooms us into believing he is in our thought life. Then we allow his circumstantial influence to sway our thoughts and actions. When a pedophile wants to be close with someone they began to influence them so gently it isn’t recognizable. The devil works the same way. Little comments that a person makes can be such a major contributor to poor self-esteem or lack of trust it is crippling.

Grooming isn’t from the devil knowing what you are thinking, but it's the devil teaching you how to think. We have to reprogram ourselves. Philippians 4:8-9 (MSG) “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”

Write this down and put scriptures on cards, your cell phone, in the car, or wherever else you feel appropriate but meditate on scriptures so you can reprogram your mind. Take the grooming out. Some additional scriptures to help you reprogram your mind are:

​“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV

“The believer replied, “Every promise of God proves true; he protects everyone who runs to him for help. So don’t second-guess him; he might take you to task and show up your lies.””
Proverbs 30:5-6 MSG

​“So [as the result of the Messiah's intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives]. [Matt. 8:11; Luke 13:29.]”
Isaiah 59:19 AMPC

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.”
Psalm 34:17-20 (NIV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Every week I ask God to protect our thoughts. He will, he does, and he is. Your mind is your daily battleground where the enemy has no inside information. The only attacks the enemy can give are the clues you give him. Don't give him the clues. You will win with the favor from the greatest army. Dwell on scripture and Gods promises. When the fears come up, take every thought captive and your mind games will end. Tell yourself, this isn’t Gods promise and then think about His promise instead. The battleground will change. You will have victory in the name of Jesus.  You have a distinguished purpose, the devil knows it, and he wants to ruin it. You will win the battle. Tell yourself you will win the battle. Now fight, fight, fight, fight, fight.