Each week I receive many questions about how to overcome this or that situation going on in people’s lives.  There is a simple “One size fits all” answer.  We must CONTINUALLY bring our every thought in line with the Word of God.

Take the time to consider what is written in Revelation 21:7-8: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.   But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Ok, we will say you don’t know you need to align your thoughts and actions with the Word of God.  It would be absurd to assume everyone does, because they don’t.  That would explain why their lives are a mess.  So they want a better life, and someone tells them they need to get their life in alignment with God’s Word.  And they do so, and their lives are changed for good.  But for every one that does, there are probably ten that have an excuse that they are TRYING to do so but can’t, because, 1. It’s too hard, or 2. They are afraid of what others might think of them for doing so.  And so, they keep going around the same old mountain forever.

Everything we say or do first comes from our thoughts.  It is written in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5:
2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Most certainly we are in a battle daily for our soul, and the devil’s favorite battlefield is our mind.  He puts negative thoughts before us to consider daily, and if we think on them, we lose. Though the devil would try to make us think situations or other people are our enemy, he keeps himself well hidden so we don’t readily recognize the source of our troubles.  If someone is not happy in their marriage, do you know why?  They perceive their mate as their problem.  But the truth of the matter is the DEVIL is both of their enemy, and he is out to destroy them both, and the best way to accomplish that is for them to turn their anger on each other.  Meanwhile, both the husband and wife forget they are ONE in the LORD, and they have misidentified their true enemy. Sadly, it happens very often.  The Word of God will enlighten them.

If we have hope of being in the Kingdom of God, we cannot just float like a dead fish downstream, but rather take charge of our thoughts and bring them into alignment with the Word of God.  Contrary to popular belief, the devil does not control our thoughts; we do.  We can choose whether to cast down his thoughts, or dwell on them.  The Apostle Paul instructs us, “Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”,  EVERY thought, not just a few of them.   If we don’t bring every thought into the obedience of Christ, the ones that we DON’T make subject to the Word of God will be the ones that will defeat us every time.

People tell me, “It’s too hard to do that”, “I can’t control my thoughts.” Bullwinkle.  It’s too hard to keep living sick and depressed and broke.  THAT’S HARD!  Especially when the Lord Jesus gave us the identity of the source of our troubles in John 10:10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. In doing so, He also told us who is the source of our relief, that being Himself, also known as the Word of God.

We can continue feeling sorry for ourselves, or feel angry at God for allowing our troubles to continue, or blame the government, or whatever, but our thoughts determine what we will or won’t do in every situation.  Some just roll over and play dead.  They are not, nor will they ever be called an “overcomer”, for they just won’t put forth the effort.  And there are some who, no matter how many times you knock them down, they just keep getting back up again, and they refuse to be beaten.

Now, I’m not even considering the effect the Word of God will have on either of these two types.  Put the Word of God in those who play dead, and gradually, the Word awakens life into them, and everything changes.  They are no longer “victims”, but steadily putting the Word at work until they are transformed into powerful men and women of God, who no longer take what scraps life flings at them, but takes life by the horns and lays hold to “life more abundantly”.
If you put the Word of God into those who already won’t be defeated, you will have a dynamo of a person who not only will change their own life for good, but many lives around them as well.  Either way, the Word of God will change you into someone better than you ever thought you could be, and it all starts with taking your every thought and straining it though the filter of the Word of God.  If such and such thought doesn’t line up with the Word, pitch it, reject it, cast it out of your mind and never let it linger there.  Instead, do what Paul said in Philippians 4:4-8,

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

What could I possibly add to that?  If you’ve had enough of being worried, depressed, sad, sick, broke, angry or any other of the devil’s junk, and you’re finally ready for “life more abundantly”, it starts with your thought life.  Nothing changes till you change your thoughts.  It’s all about “Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Starting right now! NO MORE EXCUSES!  You can do it!