Have you ever thought of your mind as a battleground? Well it is! There is a constant struggle of the will over what kind of thoughts we will allow in our minds.

By giving us freedom of choice, God has made us responsible for the kind of thinking that goes on in our minds. we must decide between selfish thoughts, evil thoughts, or Godly thoughts. If we do not deliberately choose Godly thoughts, our minds become preoccupied with ourselves and the faults of others. The Bible says: "as he (anyone) thinketh in his heart, so is he." What we are - our very character - is determined by what we think in our hearts, and what we think in our hearts is determined by the choices we make.

Our thinking is like an unbroken horse that is useless until it comes under the discipline of the bridle. Without the bridle of discipline our thinking becomes as upsetting as the unbroken horse, and wrong emotions play havoc in our lives. The result is anger, resentment, criticism, judgment, self-pity, depression, and all the wrong decisions and wrong actions that go with them. We must discipline our minds.

I didn't say that - it's right out of God's Word: Romans 12:2a. We are commanded to renew or discipline our minds, knowing that we will be transformed in the process. If we stop conforming our thinking - and thus ourselves - to this world and to the selfish ways and customs of society, and, if we ask God for the power to conform to His ways, we will surely be transformed. Society says, "Don't be different".....God says, "Be transformed."

First, we must decide to actively participate in this battle for the mind by stepping out in faith to bring discipline to our thinking.

Second, demonstrate forbearance with others, knowing that in the Lord we will never lose the battle.

Third, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7,LB)

Fourth, apply the bridle of discipline to your mind; teach your mind to think the way God says to think - "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things " (Philippians 4:8 RSV).

That's right! War in the mind! But war is not so bad when you are victorious. What is bad is the defeat you experience when you lay down your weapons and go to sleep. The war is no less real - the difference is : you are defeated and don't know it. It's tragic when we realize that victory in the mind can be ours in the power of God's Holy Spirit. "For the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (II Corinthians 10:4,5 RSV).

All through the Bible, God's children are promised victory in this life and a glorious life hereafter. If you have not become a child of God by repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, I pray that you will do so today. If you know that your sin separates you from God and that the penalty for your sin was paid by Jesus on the cross, you can have eternal life by simply receiving Him. "To all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God" (John 1:12 RSV).