Have you ever had a mental battle?

[Skydoogie]

Seriously, I think I might have had several in the past week or so. I actually had one today. Someone (not naming that person) has had something awful happen to one of his closest family members. He asked for people to pray for that family member, and as I read that, this scenario played out.

Skydoogie: I'm gonna pray for him...but I haven't been praying to God every day.
Satan: Exactly. How in the world are you gonna pray for this guy when you haven't been doing so?!?
Skydoogie: Who says I can't pray to God?
Satan: Who says someone who isn't real close to God can just suddenly pray for him? Don't you see? The Atheists and whoever else didn't become Christian would cry out to God whenever bad stuff happens. Just the same way you saw that and cr---
Skydoogie: Do you not realize I AM Christian (and I, with God's help, am LIVING like one)?
Satan: Oh, those "Christians" who don't pray every week at the least? Hahaha! You amuse me.
Skydoogie: It's funny how you bring that up as if it's a tradition that I'll die from not following.
Satan: Oh look! I threw you off track! Silly humans...
Skydoogie: *replies to the man and says he'll pray for him*
Satan: What are you doing? You'll just forget about it like you did every time.
Skydoogie: Every time? You're the father of lies. I'm GOING to pray for them in the name of Jesus. *goes to Christian Chat, types this thread, stops and prays for that man, then finished thread, despite Satan trying to discourage him even DURING the prayer*
Satan: *is ANNOYED at what just happened* I'M NOT DEFEATED! I WILL COME BACK!
Skydoogie: don't start with that foolishness. Jesus defeated you a loooong time ago.

Wow. That was long. Well, that's not exactly how it went, but it was something like that. And some of the "dialogue" happened during the creation of this thread. Note: I wasn't actually speaking. That was a rough "translation" of my thoughts.

[NiceneChristian]

You should not place so much emphasis on your thoughts, this is egotism, and is a cause of sufferings for many people. Some thoughts come from God, some come from ourselves, and some come from the Devil, you should not rely on your thoughts so much because many times they will lead you into a delusion. I want you to learn a Christian practice called WATCHFULNESS, is was practiced by the early Christians and taught by them. Today, it is still practiced by many prudent and pious Christians.

Listen to this:

[Brandon777]

Yes, I've had mental battles like that. That video makes me what to pray!

[NiceneChristian]

Originally Posted by Brandon777

Yes, I've had mental battles like that. That video makes me what to pray!

There are 6 other videos than that.

I find it important to rely on the teachings of others to guide me because of these battles. When you give yourself into the hands of others, you will be at peace.

Teachers and counselors are given to us for a reason, but not all are teachers and counselors (James 3).

[Skydoogie]

Originally Posted by NiceneChristian

You should not place so much emphasis on your thoughts, this is egotism, and is a cause of sufferings for many people. Some thoughts come from God, some come from ourselves, and some come from the Devil, you should not rely on your thoughts so much because many times they will lead you into a delusion. I want you to learn a Christian practice called WATCHFULNESS, is was practiced by the early Christians and taught by them. Today, it is still practiced by many prudent and pious Christians.

Listen to this:

Now that you say that...those weren't entirely MY thoughts. It's just one of those times when Satan is just attacking your mind.

[jimmydiggs]

Skydoogie, I have to say I've had points like that. What catches my ear, is when it's in third person. Check out Matthew 16 though. Not all our thoughts are really ours.