Mind Control

The enemy seeks to control your mind and thoughts, even to a very small degree. This is one reason images are so important to his evil schemes, they effectively plant thoughts. Like the old adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” because they convey ideas, desires, messages without words and can subtly plant a thought you consider your own. Notice how technology focuses on images, icons, and videos that encroach into your private space and solitude. On the contrary, Christian faith rejects imagery in that idolatry was all about an image to be worshipped. Even the face of Yeshua is unknown and disciplines such as prayer, meditation, simplicity, solitude, service, and worship in the Christian faith are contrary to the world’s focus. 

I don’t want to exaggerate the enemy’s power, as we have a fallen human nature prone to evil, but as Believers we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth. (John 16:13) Scripture reminds us to submit every thought to Yeshua, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) If we become unspiritual and begin to doubt the wisdom of scripture or trust in our own reasoning, we have strayed into a dangerous path. 

C.S. Lewis’ book, “The Screwtape Letters,” is a fictional story of one demon advising his protege junior tempter how best to wreck the faith of the person to whom he is assigned. It is filled with much sound theology, although presented from the reverse (Hell’s) point of view. It illustrates many times how minor suggestions, white lies, secular/unspiritual thinking leads to our gradual separation from God over time. When we have fearful, condemning, angry or sinful thoughts we need to submit them to Christ, rather than ignore or accept them. Paul reminds us, “We have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:16) If we are dwelling on or past sins that have been renounced and forgiven or continually harboring bad thoughts about others, even those who have hurt us, it is imperative that we take these thoughts captive to our Messiah. We may have lingering doubts or unforgiveness which can cause bigger problems if left unresolved. “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:2-5, 12) Let nothing hinder or take precedence over your worship and communion with the Lord Yeshua.