Fight the "ANT's" With "TNT!"

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

 

Spiritual warfare is a part of life that all people should be aware of, especially if you are a Christian. The Bible tells us that there are powers at work that are constantly trying to bring us down and cause us harm. Now, as scary or bizarre as that may sound to some of you, there is good news--there is also a power at work so much stronger and greater that is fighting for us on our behalf, and that is far greater than any force of darkness positioned against us.

Spiritual warfare is a battle of the mind.

In the Bible we are told that it is the enemy's goal is to cause as much harm to humanity because he is jealous that God would so lovingly call humans His children and be willing to die for them. The attempted harm starts by an attack on our thoughts through getting us to believe things about ourselves or our lives which are simply not true. You see, spiritual warfare begins in the mind. The enemy knows that if he can get our thoughts off track by distorting our self-image through feeding us lies, that we will be more prone into giving into self-destructive tendencies and habits. Some of the most common lies the enemy attempts to feed us are things like, "You're not good enough (pretty enough, smart enough, successful enough, etc.)" or "You'll never make it anywhere," or "Nobody likes you, nobody cares, you're just worthless and ugly!" Talk about negative, huh! But surprisingly, we sometimes take those lies our brains feed us and interpret them as true--even when they are not. And our beliefs about ourselves and those around us can have tremendous implications on the way we live, because the way we perceive ourselves is affects all of our actions and decisions.

 

We will be more prone into giving into self-destructive tendencies and habits if our self-image is distorted and our thinking is off-balance.

You don't have to take my word to know what I’m professing is true. Just take a look at the statistics of how many people die each year because of drug overdose, alcohol poisoning, STD's, or suicide. It is clear that there is a force at work attempting to bring harm upon humans; call it our own tendency to have a self-destructive human nature, call it spiritual warfare—but the truth is it exists. And the internal battle we face begins with what beliefs we allow into our minds.

The battle we face begins with what beliefs we allow into our minds.

If you still aren’t convinced about the battle which occurs in our minds, you can take a look to science as your proof. Dr. Daniel Amen, clinical neuropsychologist, founder of the Amen Clinic, and author of the Best-selling book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, explains that that "ANT's" or "Automatic Negative Thoughts" are negative thoughts that our brains have a natural tendency to automatically and systematically generate. The good news, Amen says, is that we can talk back to those negative thoughts and get rid of them by replacing them with positive thoughts instead.

Believing “ANTs” (Automatic Negative Thoughts) makes us prone into giving into self-destructive tendencies and habits.

 

Think of spiritual warfare as tuning into a radio station. There is a positive frequency of truth and goodness, which inspires us to be the best version of ourselves and live life to its fullest. And, there is a negative frequency that feeds us lies and evokes feelings of suffering, sorrow, loss, and inadequacy. This negative station can cause us to choose a path of self-destruction. If we truly believe we are ugly and unlovable, we will go through life searching for love and human approval in places that may lead us down very harmful paths. If we believe that we are unsuccessful, stupid, or a loser, we will live and act in a way that is in accordance with those beliefs. But, if we believe that we have the ability to succeed, triumph over circumstances, that we are loveable, and beautiful in our own way, then we will live a life that is in accordance with success, striving to be the best we can be, and living to our full potential. Are you beginning to see how important our self-beliefs are?

Monitoring what we believe to be true is important, because will live and act in a way that is in accordance with those beliefs. The Bible tells us that, “As a man thinks in his heart, so he becomes” (Proverbs 23:7). Think about what that means for a moment. This Proverb is telling us that what we believe about ourselves, what we hold to be true about ourselves, actually determines what kind of person we become.

This is why the enemy attempts to attack our thoughts more than anything else. If we can buy into the lies that are an attempt to destroy and bring us down, then we are in a vulnerable position. We place ourselves in the position where we will buy into the idea that we need to find fulfillment in temporary, yet highly destructive pleasures like drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, etc.

This is why God’s word wisely instructs to: “Guard your heart, because everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV). This verse is saying that we must guard what we perceive to be true, because what we perceive to be true affects every single decision we make.

We must guard what we perceive to be true, because what we perceive to be true affects every single decision we make.

The Bible tells us that in order to win the battle, we have to be on guard not to feed into the lies (or “ANT’s”) (1 Peter 5:8), and that we must learn to combat and replace these lies with God's positive truths of who He has created us to be. In fact, the best way to combat the “ANTs” is by fighting them with what I like to call “TNT” or “Transformative New Thoughts!” We are instructed throughout scripture to “Be transformed by the renewing of [our] minds” (Romans 12:2), and that transformation occurs when we renew our minds with the TRUTH of who God has created us to be! Below I’ve included only a few of some “TNT’s” that you can read through, meditate on, and speak ALOUD so that you may affirm to yourself and re-program your mind on what is TRUE! God's word tells us that we his beloved children, that we are beautiful in his sight, that we are his masterpiece in the making! Those are the wonderful terms that our Creator saw fit to label you with! Those are the kinds of thoughts and truths that will help you combat and defeat any negative lies you may face.

Take the time to fill your mind with these positive truths by reminding yourself of who our Creator says you are, re-program your mind onto the truth of how our Savior sees you:

You are a child of God (see 1 Peter 1:23).

You are forgiven of all of your sins and washed clean (Eph. 1:17, 1 John 1:9, Heb. 9:14, Col. 1:14).

You are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

You have been blessed (Gal. 3:9, Deut. 28:2).

You have been set free (John 8:31-33).

You are strong in the Lord (Eph. 6:10).

You are accepted by Christ (Eph. 1:6).

You are blameless in His sight (Eph. 1:4)

You are more than a conqueror In Christ, and overwhelming victory is yours. (Rom. 8:37)

You are loved and forgiven by him (John 3:16, 1 Peter 5:7)

You are His masterpiece and workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

If you’ve found any of what you read helpful or encouraging, or want to read more “TNT’s” you can read more in my book TNT: TeeNage Transformation –ExplosiveIdeas That Will Blow Your Mind And Change Your Life Forever!

Whichever Dog You Feed is The One That Wins

"We naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do; and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has his way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. These two forces within us are constantly fighting each other to win control over us, and our wishes are never free from their pressures." -Philippians 4:13

I once heard Pastor tell a Native American story as an analogy for temptation and battling with sin. The story says that and elder man

was telling a younger man that within each of us, there are two dogs fighting. Each dog represents our two different natures--our carnal, nature of the fleshly, selfish desires, and our good, spiritual, and selfless nature. The young man asks the elder, "Which dog wins the fight?" And the elder grins and replies, "Whichever dog you feed."

I love that story because it so greatly depicts the truth as to how to overcome sin and temptation--by choosing not to feed into it! That means if your temptation is sexual sin, don't feed the "dog" of lust by watching media that will only encourage your lust, or by putting yourself in situations where you're bound to give in. If your temptation is spending your entire paycheck on clothes, don't spend all your time at the mall, on clothing websites, or looking at fashion magazines--don't feed the dog that will only encourage your behavior. If you struggle with gambling--stay away from casinos. If you struggle with drugs and alcohol, don't spend your time at bars or with people who will encourage that behavior--don't "feed the dog" of alcoholism or drug abuse--kill it! Instead, feed the "good" dog that will help you gain victory over the habits that can be harmful to your mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being!

The Bible tells us, that like the story of the dogs, that there are two natures constantly at war in our mind (Philippians 4:13). The spiritual nature which wants to do good, and our carnal nature (our flesh) which is only concerned with the self, with feeling good in-the-moment, and living for the sole purpose of personal pleasure. And you don't have to look to the Bible to know that this is true. It is a timeless wisdom that's been humorously depicted in the past even in cartoons! (Think of the character with the angel on one shoulder and the demon on the other!) We all have an innate sense of what we feel is right and what is most beneficial to us and those around us, as well as what is harmful and least beneficial to us and those around us--it's a part of our nature, it's just how we've been made!

So, now that we are aware that there is in fact a battle occurring, the question now becomes, how do we win?

Luckily, we aren't on our own when it comes to defeating sin and temptation. The Bible tells us that God can relate to our trials, because when Christ walked the earth he experienced the very same temptations we do, so he is more than able to help us when we are going through our own temptations (Hebrews 2:18). We are told that we "can do everything God asks us to with the help of Christ who gives us the strength and power" (Philippians 4:13). And that it is not so much about OUR will and OUR strength to do good, but that it is the power and ability of God working through us that gives us the strength to defeat temptations and live a life in line with all the goodness He desires for us (See 2 Corinthians 3:5).

In Zechariah 4:6 God tells us "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD. 'You shall succeed by My Spirit.'"

In Romans 7:15, the apostle Paul (a guy who is historically documented as a man who went around killing Christians, but then became one and ended up writing most of the New Testament of the Bible) --he expresses his frustration for the war that is waged against his soul. He says, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do!" (Talk about frustrating, huh!) He goes onto say that "Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law (His word); but I see another law (force) at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

How encouraging is that! My hope is that after reading this post, whatever you are struggling with, or whatever "dogs" are battling each other in your mind, that you may have faith in knowing that God is for you, that He loves you, and forgives anyone who asks for it, and most of all that He is able to strengthen and encourage you when you suffer and are tempted (1 Corinthians. 10:13).

Love you all, Have a great week everyone! :-)

God is Good

The Bible tells us that when we accept Christ into our lives, we receive His Holy Spirit within us as proof that we are now His. His Spirit is a gift that enables us and gives us the strength to make wise and good decisions; decisions that in-line with God's will. I have seen the Holy Spirit work in my life in miraculous ways--both small and large--and I know for a fact that it is the Spirit of God that has changed my desires and inspired me to love others with extravagance. God tells us that it is through His Spirit that "[He] will take out our stony hearts of sin, and give us new hearts of love" (Ezekiel 36:26).

Before becoming a Christian, all my desires were based on being a people-pleaser, and being popular in the eyes of my peers. I sought drugs and other forms of temporary and meaningless fulfillment (and I say meaningless, because they ultimately did not fulfill or benefit my life in any way, on the contrary in fact!) as a hope of feeling satisfied. After becoming a Christian, those desires in me changed completely. I went from wanting to please people, to please God. I went from seeking fulfillment in meaningless voids, to finding a fulfillment like no other in Christ. I went from pursuing only selfishness, to wanting to love and serve others--to feed the hungry and help the poor, and rescue the imprisoned! My mind was transformed completely--just as it says in Romans 12:2 : "Be transformed by the renewing of your minds."

My mind was both renewed and transformed in a miraculous way, that both I and those closest to me could clearly see the radical change.

Despite all this positive change however, I by no means am perfect or even close to being so. The only Perfect One is enthroned in Heaven! In fact, sometimes I feel completely discouraged by how far off of God's will I can get sometimes--I mess up just like everyone else. But the thing that encourages me most is that there is someone to plead on my behalf--and His name is Jesus. I know that when I mess up, He is there to intercede on my behalf, and that I no longer have to live in guilt or frustration because of His sacrifice for me on the cross. His word tells us, "there is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). He's taken care of my sin, it's finished. There is no longer any reason for me to live in guilt because He washes clean all who simply ask of and trust in Him!

Bottom Line: I've lived my life on both sides--with God, and without--and I can say from personal experience that the part of my life that I've lived with Him is far more fulfilling than without! His love and peace have transformed me and my life in ways I could have never imagined, and for that, I am so grateful and excited to see what He will do next! Sometimes I laugh at myself because of how much I like to talk about what He's done--but how can I not talk about it? He's saved my life and changed me in more ways than one and I want everyone to experience this kind of self-sacrificing love, joy, peace, and freedom that comes in knowing the One who sets us free: Jesus Christ! And if you want that kind of love, joy, forgiveness, healing, and purposed-filled life mission, then I encourage you to invited Christ into your life. Even if you have hesitation or doubt, you can simply ask God, "Please, if you are real, reveal yourself to me, and let your power work in my life," and I promise that He will! And you will be blown away! ;-)

God bless you everyone, I hope you are inspired and encouraged to know there is a God that loves you and wants the very best for your life! The Bible tells us, "If God is for us, then who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). He is more for you than you are for yourself!
 I wish you all a wonderful week! ;-)