Battlefield of the mind/spiritual warfare

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J

JB2018

Guest
#1
Has anyone ever had the most perverse/intrusive thoughts? I'm talking about thoughts that make you cringe? Thoughts that make you feel ashamed?

Is anyone currently in spiritual warfare or has ever been?

Please, be respectful :)
 

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
#2
Has anyone ever had the most perverse/intrusive thoughts? I'm talking about thoughts that make you cringe? Thoughts that make you feel ashamed?

Is anyone currently in spiritual warfare or has ever been?

Please, be respectful :)
Yes. It’s to prevent you and to keep you from praying

Keep praying and talking to GOD and reading your Bible in spite of all this
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,177
2,539
113
#3
Yes I think we all have. But I find when I begin to focus my thoughts on the things above these thoughts begin to become less and less able to intrude my mind because it is to consumed on God. After all if all you do is look up everything else is oblivious
 

Waggles

Senior Member
Sep 21, 2017
3,338
1,261
113
South
adelaiderevival.com
#4
You are not alone
I once said to a brother in Christ "that I was suffering from so much
tribulation of late."
He replied; "Well you must be doing something right."
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,177
2,539
113
#5
You are not alone
I once said to a brother in Christ "that I was suffering from so much
tribulation of late."
He replied; "Well you must be doing something right."
I remember I was going through so much tribulation both from life and from a whole mess of things going on inside me but I thought it was because I was doing something wrong lol
 
J

JB2018

Guest
#6
Yes I think we all have. But I find when I begin to focus my thoughts on the things above these thoughts begin to become less and less able to intrude my mind because it is to consumed on God. After all if all you do is look up everything else is oblivious
I’m currently dealing with this. I know that Satan is a liar. And, I’ve had my pastor pray with me on this and the attacks steal come. I know that a lot of it has to do with my past. Satan hasn’t been reminding me of my past a lot smh
 
J

JB2018

Guest
#7
You are not alone
I once said to a brother in Christ "that I was suffering from so much
tribulation of late."
He replied; "Well you must be doing something right."
I know that God is about to do or use me greatly.....Sometimes the attacks are so strong that I feel filthy before God. I even cried out the God. However, some days are better than others.
 
J

JB2018

Guest
#8
Yes. It’s to prevent you and to keep you from praying

Keep praying and talking to GOD and reading your Bible in spite of all this
I will continue to do that
 

notmyown

Senior Member
May 26, 2016
4,587
1,047
113
#9
[video=youtube;LULK2nZ6sCc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LULK2nZ6sCc[/video]
 

Mel85

Daughter of the True King
Mar 28, 2018
10,910
6,894
113
#10
I’m currently dealing with this. I know that Satan is a liar. And, I’ve had my pastor pray with me on this and the attacks steal come. I know that a lot of it has to do with my past. Satan hasn’t been reminding me of my past a lot smh
Praying for you sister. Most of us have been through spiritual warfare, and still continue to go through it. What I believe is that the enemy knows you are drawing closer to God and hes going to do everything to stop it. But God, so gracious in His Mercy will never leave us, in fact he’s already prepared Armour for us to wear....

[h=3]The Armor of God[/h][FONT=&quot]10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.[/FONT]
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,709
4,073
113
62
#11
Hi JB...Yes I suffer with these thoughts , my last attack lasted 5 days , that was three weeks ago , it disabled me , i could not pick up my bible and read because the voice in my head was so loud it that everything I was reading , the thoughts would speak the opposite of what the bible was telling me...The only thing I could do was cry out to God , i sobbed my heart out , i felt utterly vile before my Father , and this is what God said to me from seeking Him...Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God , which surpasses every thought will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus...:)...I was assured that God surpasses all my thoughts , He searches my mind and my heart and knows that these vile thoughts are not what i truly believe , this gave me tremendous relief , and soon after the thoughts hushed down , then also on top of that Scripture , this is what the LORD showed me to bring me to this conclusion...Psalm 139:23-24 Search me O God , and know my heart , test me and know my concerns , see if there is any offencive way in me , lead me in the way ever lasting :)...

I then wrote a little letter to myself in my prayer journal reminding me of who i am in Christ , so when the next attack happens , I have my Scriptures at hand...My attacks always attack my salvation and beyond...It is one of the most loneliest places to be when suffering , not an easy thing to talk about , glad you shared your story , God bless you...xox...
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#12
I’m currently dealing with this. I know that Satan is a liar. And, I’ve had my pastor pray with me on this and the attacks steal come. I know that a lot of it has to do with my past. Satan hasn’t been reminding me of my past a lot smh
I call this "Big Shiny Thing."

Have you ever gone into the kitchen to get a drink out of the fridge, and left the kitchen without it? Yeah, it's like that. Our minds divert right smack in the middle of something, and before we notice, we forgot the something. All that diversion stuff is the big shiny thing. It catches our eye, and before we even make a conscious decision the decision is made and we're running off to see what the big shiny thing is.

Be careful. One of the easy-to-mistake-it big shiny things is Satan. No. In reality, it may or may not even be Satan. (After all, when we chase after big shiny thing don't we often come up with what we think it is before we get there? How often are we right? And how often are we wrong?) BUT being Christians, Satan is what we think quickly. And once we think him, we focus on him.

When we focus on him, who are we NOT focusing on?

And, poof! We're walking back to the living room without our drink.

In this thread you've worried about if it is Satan, and then said you know God is going to use you in a big way. Guess what got lost in all that. God!

We're going to do that, and do it often, (and this does NOT go away the older we get, sad to say, but it does get quicker to realize, "Shoot! I'm chasing another big shiny thing"), but when we recognized we're chasing big shiny things rather than the Lord, it's time to dump the notion of the big shiny thing and go back to focusing on the Lord.

So, Satan = big shiny thing, how God is going to use me powerfully = big shiny thing, and totally and completely disgusting thoughts = big shiny thing. The only thing that doesn't come under big shiny thing is the Lord. And, sure enough, he is the biggest, shinest one!

Keep working toward focusing on him. After all, even if it is Satan or even if we are going to be used in big ways, it doesn't matter. We're not strong enough to defeat Satan and we're not strong enough to do big things for the Lord. He is our strength. He is the defeater-of-Satan. What matters is the Lord. He's our focus.
 
J

JB2018

Guest
#13
I call this "Big Shiny Thing."

Have you ever gone into the kitchen to get a drink out of the fridge, and left the kitchen without it? Yeah, it's like that. Our minds divert right smack in the middle of something, and before we notice, we forgot the something. All that diversion stuff is the big shiny thing. It catches our eye, and before we even make a conscious decision the decision is made and we're running off to see what the big shiny thing is.

Be careful. One of the easy-to-mistake-it big shiny things is Satan. No. In reality, it may or may not even be Satan. (After all, when we chase after big shiny thing don't we often come up with what we think it is before we get there? How often are we right? And how often are we wrong?) BUT being Christians, Satan is what we think quickly. And once we think him, we focus on him.

When we focus on him, who are we NOT focusing on?

And, poof! We're walking back to the living room without our drink.

In this thread you've worried about if it is Satan, and then said you know God is going to use you in a big way. Guess what got lost in all that. God!

We're going to do that, and do it often, (and this does NOT go away the older we get, sad to say, but it does get quicker to realize, "Shoot! I'm chasing another big shiny thing"), but when we recognized we're chasing big shiny things rather than the Lord, it's time to dump the notion of the big shiny thing and go back to focusing on the Lord.

So, Satan = big shiny thing, how God is going to use me powerfully = big shiny thing, and totally and completely disgusting thoughts = big shiny thing. The only thing that doesn't come under big shiny thing is the Lord. And, sure enough, he is the biggest, shinest one!

Keep working toward focusing on him. After all, even if it is Satan or even if we are going to be used in big ways, it doesn't matter. We're not strong enough to defeat Satan and we're not strong enough to do big things for the Lord. He is our strength. He is the defeater-of-Satan. What matters is the Lord. He's our focus.

A few things I think you should know is that I know who I am and who I belong to. Another thing is, I am focused on God. I want his will to be done in my life and I love him. Now, answer me this? If you were a Christian who doesn't pray, read the word of God, acts like the world, no relationship with God etc. Do you think the enemy would attack you ? Probably not. Why? because he's already got you where he wants you. So, there is no need to launch an attack against those who are lukewarm/not living for God. Satan goes after those who are drawing close to God, those who have a relationship ,those who have the anointing upon their lives, those who are sold out for Christ, those who are have an assignment (pastor, minister for the gospel, missionary, evangelist, just to name a few) on their lives. One thing I remember growing up is that thieves do not go to empty vaults! He's not attacking our brothers and sisters for nothing. He wants to sever our relationship with God and make us ineffective as possible. He knows that if we ever become the opposite of who God called us to be then we're in danger.

And,I get what you're saying but you do not understand. I know without a doubt that God is going to use me or move mighty in my life. Example? Jesus was tempted by Satan three times before he launched what we know as the greatest ministry in the world. And, you say this doesn't matter? When God uses a person, it always matter. He uses them to be a light, he uses our testimony (people are overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony) , he uses us to be a witness, heaven gains a person and the kingdom of darkness loses a person. The point is he uses us so souls can be saved. So, people can experience the true and living God. And, that's not important or is that a big shiny thing as well?
 
J

JB2018

Guest
#14
Hi JB...Yes I suffer with these thoughts , my last attack lasted 5 days , that was three weeks ago , it disabled me , i could not pick up my bible and read because the voice in my head was so loud it that everything I was reading , the thoughts would speak the opposite of what the bible was telling me...The only thing I could do was cry out to God , i sobbed my heart out , i felt utterly vile before my Father , and this is what God said to me from seeking Him...Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God , which surpasses every thought will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus...:)...I was assured that God surpasses all my thoughts , He searches my mind and my heart and knows that these vile thoughts are not what i truly believe , this gave me tremendous relief , and soon after the thoughts hushed down , then also on top of that Scripture , this is what the LORD showed me to bring me to this conclusion...Psalm 139:23-24 Search me O God , and know my heart , test me and know my concerns , see if there is any offencive way in me , lead me in the way ever lasting :)...

I then wrote a little letter to myself in my prayer journal reminding me of who i am in Christ , so when the next attack happens , I have my Scriptures at hand...My attacks always attack my salvation and beyond...It is one of the most loneliest places to be when suffering , not an easy thing to talk about , glad you shared your story , God bless you...xox...

That's amazing. I know if God delivered you then he can do the same for me :) Thank you so much for your post. It means a lot to me. :)
 

FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,259
431
83
#15
I know that God is about to do or use me greatly.....Sometimes the attacks are so strong that I feel filthy before God. I even cried out the God. However, some days are better than others.

Hello JB2018, I believe any honest person, will admitt to having these types of thoughts attack them.

Eph 6:12 We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
(NOTE: Stand on God's Word)

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
(NOTE: These darts from the wicked, will be shot at you)

2 Cor 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;
(NOTE: When Jesus was tempted. He shot back with God's word. JB2018, Identify these wicked thoughts. Take God's Word and shoot back)

Romans 4:22
This is why "Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness"

Galatians 3:6
So also Abraham "believed God" "and it was credited to him as righteousness"

2 Cor 5:21 For the Father made Jesus to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(NOTE: Like Abraham, I believe Jesus took my sins. Therefore, I am the righteousness of God in Christ)

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(NOTE: JB2018, If you know & truth Christ. There is never any reason to feel dirty)

1Cor 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
 
J

JB2018

Guest
#16
Praying for you sister. Most of us have been through spiritual warfare, and still continue to go through it. What I believe is that the enemy knows you are drawing closer to God and hes going to do everything to stop it. But God, so gracious in His Mercy will never leave us, in fact he’s already prepared Armour for us to wear....

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Thank you :)
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,177
2,539
113
#17
I know that God is about to do or use me greatly.....Sometimes the attacks are so strong that I feel filthy before God. I even cried out the God. However, some days are better than others.
You know when I read this I was reminded of a poem I wrote not to long ago, and I will admit there are times when this poem could never be more true to me. perhaps it may even be able to help you It is called Drink not of this wine.

In the guilt of mine own soul I cry out to the Lord, never has these lips quivered so greatly nor these eyes been so red.
Guilt is my garments and shame is my robes, I drink the wine of mine own doing and sip the fruits of mine own sins. Sweet it tasted in mine own mouth but bitter was it in my stomach, for the wine is tempting in appearance and ever calls me to drink and in mine own weakness I have tasted it's grapes many times always forgetting the bitterness that awaits me.

Is there hope for such a drunkard as me? Can one such as I ever be saved? A warning I give to those who are of learning, drink not the wine that the temptress of sin gives. For she comes in many forms and knows how to seduce, she knows of your weakness and she offers you the wine of your choice. The wine is pleasant to the eyes and sweet to the lips but upon your first sip she sneers in confidence having enwrapped you in her web like a black widow does her prey.
Though at first the wine is sweet and your tongue savors it's goodness your throat burns and your stomach pains and sours, such is the wine of sin and those who taste it's flavors.

For I have known this wine well yet like a dog returning to it's own vomit this fool has continued to soak in mine own drunkenness, Though my pores reek of mine own doing and though my only clothing is mine own shame and guilt do I dare to look up to the king and plead for mercy? For how could one so pure and and so clean look upon one such as I? Would his kingship in his raging fury seethe into mine own inner being leaving nothing but black crisp and ash? The temptress continues to offer me this mine whispering into my ear my fears, I seek not the wine and desire not the lies of the temptress yet I tremble as I hesitate to call upon the name of the one who saves.

Not being worthy and reeking of mine own doings dragging my clothing's of guilt and shame as one in poverty does, slowly and trembling daring not to even look around me in the hallway of the king in the splendor of his domain I finally arrive at the throne and in mine own mind eye I see a king with a mighty scepter filled with such hot rage and seething and eyes that burn so intense that they could burn even the sun into a ball of black crisp. Such is the image I expect to see as I begin to look up to the king of glory for it is deserving and right for a poor drunkard as I who has the nerve to even dare to ask upon his name.

Yet as my head began to rise to look upon his face slowly yet surely as my eyes began to reach from his feet to his legs to his upper body and soon his face a light was enveloping me my eyes no longer sore and dry from my tears my eyes from dim deadness to a bright vivid color and filled with life, my pores no longer reeking yet releasing a fragrance sweeter than honey and more wonderful that maple my clothes from ragged and torn cloth coated with stains of mine own disgust replaced with fine and luxurious clothing decorated immensely with gold and purple emerald and sapphire a crown lay upon my now elegant and silky hair made the greatest jewels.

As I at last am looking upon the kings face the image I imaged long faded beyond my remembrance I see a brilliantly shining face with a smile that he can barely contain, his eyes a shining and radiant blue filled with such love and care more than be described with the human tongue his arms wide open just craving to envelope me and it is not rage and fury nor the hotness of his anger that seethes into mine inner being but a warmth of love and acceptance it was as if I had never tasted the wine of mine own doing even before birth as if I was never born out mine own mothers womb but was born into his kingdom from even before creation.

Utterly astonished as the entire kingdom applauded for the return of only one lost child such as I, the one who reeked of only the deepest stench of mine own wine the one whose rags and clothes were only the lowest of my shame and filth. Have I believed the lies of the temptress of sin this long? hath I drunk the bitter wine of mine own doing and carried the suffering of mine shame and guilt for nothing? A fool I have been I think to mine self as I take my first sip of the wine the king himself hath shed and taste the bread that he himself offers.Drink not the wine of the temptress of sin and believe not her lies, wise is the one listens to my tale for the king beckons with riches abundant.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,177
2,539
113
#18
I wrote this poem in a time when I myself was being attacked and being made to feel like this but as I wrote it I realized this poem wasn't about me it about all others who feel the same and who know all too well of how this feels and what it does to us. I believe this poem while it may have begun from my own feelings of myself was in fact a great gift from God to help others who are going through such things. you see even in the worst attacks God will bring out fruit of amazing quality :)
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#19
A few things I think you should know is that I know who I am and who I belong to. Another thing is, I am focused on God. I want his will to be done in my life and I love him. Now, answer me this? If you were a Christian who doesn't pray, read the word of God, acts like the world, no relationship with God etc. Do you think the enemy would attack you ? Probably not. Why? because he's already got you where he wants you. So, there is no need to launch an attack against those who are lukewarm/not living for God. Satan goes after those who are drawing close to God, those who have a relationship ,those who have the anointing upon their lives, those who are sold out for Christ, those who are have an assignment (pastor, minister for the gospel, missionary, evangelist, just to name a few) on their lives. One thing I remember growing up is that thieves do not go to empty vaults! He's not attacking our brothers and sisters for nothing. He wants to sever our relationship with God and make us ineffective as possible. He knows that if we ever become the opposite of who God called us to be then we're in danger.

And,I get what you're saying but you do not understand. I know without a doubt that God is going to use me or move mighty in my life. Example? Jesus was tempted by Satan three times before he launched what we know as the greatest ministry in the world. And, you say this doesn't matter? When God uses a person, it always matter. He uses them to be a light, he uses our testimony (people are overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony) , he uses us to be a witness, heaven gains a person and the kingdom of darkness loses a person. The point is he uses us so souls can be saved. So, people can experience the true and living God. And, that's not important or is that a big shiny thing as well?
If your life is all about God than why did I need to know all about you?
 
J

JB2018

Guest
#20
If your life is all about God than why did I need to know all about you?
I'm sorry for being snappy with you in my response back to you. I do not think you understand or have the slightest idea about spiritual warfare/demonic oppression. I'm trying to get you to understand that a child of God can be focused on God and the enemy can still attack. Many of our brothers and sisters can testify to this because they know what it's like to be targeted from drawing closer to God. The devil doesn't show up randomly. Take Job for example (read his story) He was just and righteous before God. Did he sin? nope. Satan was already targeting him way before he approached God. Satan told God
you have a hedge/protection around him. I cannot do anything to him." Wow! As I said before, Satan is not scared nor intimidated by lukewarm Christians. If you are strong in the Lord, then it will not take him long to come knocking at your door.
And another thing many people say, "oh satan isn't attacking a person etc. " Sometimes, it's not him. Sometimes it's other spirits that have rebelled against him. Let me remind you, 1/3 of the angels rebelled. So, of course satan can not be doing everything. And, those evil spirits have a name. Their tactics maybe different but the endgame is the same. And, by Being focused on God it will cause you to have a target on your back. . Even when a person becomes saved, the powers of darkness are enraged. Therefore, if you assumed the post was all about me then you missed the point I was trying to convey. It's was never about me and never will be. It's about GOD and him being glorified. God bless you :)