How the devil speaks thoughts into your mind
As I grow older (and hopefully wiser), I am becoming more attune to the schemes and tactics of the devil and his angels.
Most people believe that the devil has great power to inflict harm and physical danger into peoples lives, that he’s extremely powerful and should be feared. But, I don’t believe that. I don’t believe satan and his angels are to be feared–maybe recognized, revealed and better discerned, but not feared.
Satan once had great power and authority over all the earth. Adam surrendered his God-oradined authority and power to satan back in the Garden of Eden. It was lost for years, but then Jesus came to earth, died on the cross and restored our position of authority and released great power into our lives. Out first Adam lost it all, but our second Adam got it back for us (1 Corinthians 15:47).
To those who live their lives surrendered to Christ, you have great power and authority over the devil. Incredible power and authority! But, that doesn’t change the fact that devil will try to convince you otherwise. He will yell and scream (1 Peter 5:8) and lie to you (John 8:44) and find subtle ways to steal, kill and destroy you (John 10:10). His greatest weapon against humanity is the ability to speak into our thought life. He’s referred to as the Accuser (Revelation 12:10). He spews lies and accusations constantly into our thoughts and minds.
His primary strategy is simply this–to get you to agree with his accusations and lies. Maybe they are lies about God, our Father. Maybe they are lies about yourself, maybe how God sees you and loves you. Maybe they are lies about your spouse, your family, your friends–whatever. The devil will constantly, relentlessly, viciously spew accusations into your thoughts to get you to agree with him, because that’s where his greatest power lies–the power of agreement.
If he can get you to agree with him, then he’s got you. This was his key tactic against Jesus when he was being tempted in the wilderness. The Bible says that the devil came to him in the wilderness and tempted Jesus. I don’t believe there was any physical snake or apparition or evil voice. I believe Jesus had these thoughts, “If I’m really the son of God, I can turn these stones into bread.” It was a thought in his mind that the devil spoke. He was trying to get Jesus to agree with him. But, Jesus overcame the enemy by quoting scripture, by speaking a God thought, and rejecting a “me thought”.
It is absolutely imperative that we learn to police our thoughts, take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). And, we must change the way we think and perceive things (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23).
The other day, my wife and I got into an argument about something, and as we went to bed, my mind was spinning with thoughts. She doesn’t understand me. I thought we were happy. Maybe I just need to move out for awhile.
In the moment, it was feeding my anger and frustration. It was hard to take those thoughts captive because they were so prevalent in my mind. But I realized where they were coming from. They were not my thoughts. She does understand me, more than anyone on this earth. I love my wife. I have a great future ahead with her. It’s obvious now that the enemy was lying to me, speaking confusion and deception. He was trying to get me to agree with him. And, if I had, it would have taken me one step closer to marital problems.
When it comes to physical sickness, I’ve heard it said that more than 80% of the documented illnesses don’t have a known physical cause, implying that the majority of sicknesses start in our mind and thoughts. I believe if the enemy can get you to agree with him about some physical sickness or symptom you’re experiencing, then you will let your mental, emotional and spiritual guard down. And WAM, you’re sick.
Learn to fight the good fight of faith (believing). Learn to police your thoughts and not just accept what comes into your mind. Guard your mind. As it says in Proverbs, “Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life!” (Proverbs 4:23)
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Very well said. I am seeing this more and more. May our heart and ears harden to the lies, and may we draw near to God our Father and know Him more and hear His truth.
Thank you for sharing this. For about a month now, Satan has been taking over my mind. With thoughts and images that sicken me. I know that I would NEVER do those things that he wants me to do, but for some reason he is very determined. I have prayed to God to help me, I have yelled at Satan to leave me alone, but he won’t leave. Apparently he knows something that I don’t. I am staying strong with God, and with the help of my fiance, and my wonderful family and friends. I know that he will leave me alone. I just want to thank you for sharing this. For awhile there, I thought I was going crazy and that I was the only one.
Kelsey, I think one of the most powerful weapons the enemy has against us are his lies. He will convince us that we are powerless against him, which just is not true. We have to balance that with the fact that sometimes, there are legal rights for him to harass us and create havoc in our lives, things like rebellion, unforgiveness, word curses, generational iniquities. All of which have been dealt with at the cross, but we must appropriate (apply) that work in those areas. It usually takes someone to come along side and show us and help us see into those dark areas that need the work of Christ.
I want encourage you in this — you have the authority over the enemy. You can command him to leave you alone and to stop speaking into your mind. As a child of God through Jesus Christ, there is no weapon formed against you that can prosper. You are victorious!