The war against our hearts and minds

We live in an age of information overload, from smartphones to tablets, to 24-hour news channels, social media, newspapers, and magazines, our family and friends we are under a constant siege of information.

The problem is it is mostly negative, and negative information produces negative people, negative people produces a negative society and a negative society soon falls; for morality and thought are replaced with emotions and ideology.

This is where we are today.

People are so divided and driven by the negativity that they can no longer decipher the truth from lies, and in reality, they no longer want to, they are driven by the idea that they are right and you are wrong, end of the story, even when presented with overwhelming facts they refuse to see.

God in His wisdom for all ages told us to remain sober-minded, to take our thoughts captive, to be self-controlled, the only way we can do this is with His help, with His word, with the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.

When a person is drunk, they lose the ability to think clearly, they are controlled by their emotions and thoughts, according to FBI stats, 80% of crimes committed in America are alcohol-related, because people lose control of their reasoning and thinking.

This same process is happening now without alcohol because people are being manipulated and controlled by the constant flow of negativity in this nation, and rational, clear thinking is being replaced by I am right, you are wrong.

As Christians we cannot fall into this trap, we have the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and each other to turn to. We of all people must remain sober-minded, grounded in the gospel, holding onto the truth of God's word and standing strong in our faith. Remember we used to walk that way, but by God’s grace, He saved us so we can share His light and love, let’s not act the same way as the world but rather show them a better way.

Today ask God who gives wisdom freely to lead you through the fields of deception and guide you in all truth, turn off the negative, plug into His word, join a Bible Study or a life group that is focused on Holy living,be heavenly minded and share the good news of Christ Jesus with a world desperate for truth, it is exhilarating, freeing and joyful to do so.

We must dwell on the things of God, His word, His ways, negative and positive thoughts cannot dwell together in our hearts and minds, so we fill them with the things of God.

God’s word says this:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him, not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.”John‬ ‭1:1-5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. “Claiming to be wise, they became fools”and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.”Romans‬ ‭1:16-25‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”Philippians‬ ‭4:4-9‬ ‭CSB‬

“Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.”1 Peter‬ ‭1:13-16‬ ‭CSB

“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5:8-10‬ ‭CSB‬‬