PASSAGE: John 8 [31] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
INSIGHT: Temptation leads to thoughts that lead us away from God’s best for us. Thoughts lead to actions. Actions lead to habits. It takes about six weeks for a habit for form a stronghold. Once a negative or unhealthy stronghold forms and gains a foothold in our lives, our life with God suffers. In John 8, Jesus gives us some preventative spiritual medicine for fighting strongholds. Just as we saw what happened to Jesus in the Matthew 4, the devil is constantly working to draw followers of Christ away from God. How do we know and embrace truth so that we can be set free of the negative impact of strongholds?
2 Corinthians 10 [5] 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. The Apostle Paul is giving us a way out of strongholds enveloping our lives. When the negative thoughts come, we need to recognize right away what they can do if left unchecked. Paul is encouraging us not to let these negative thoughts grow into actions, habits and then strongholds. Dealing with negative thoughts means that we need to renew our minds continually with the truths and promises of Scripture (Romans 12:1-2).
PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to help you identify any potential strongholds in your life that may be getting in the way of you experiencing all that God has for you.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: Write out Philippians 4:8-9 on a 3 x 5 card and memorize it this week. Let the truth in this passage permeate your inner being. Begin to focus more on thoughts that honor God and are more positive – just as this passage says.
Philippians 4 [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.