Complicated
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Read alot of scripture, then meditate upon it.
The mind is complex and forms associations with the things we allow to be put into it. When you input scripture, you will form new associations, and establish new thought patterns.
Also, retrain your mind as per Philippians 4:8. Choose to think about good things. This will involve taking thoughts captive as per 2 Corinthians 10:5.
As you begin to practice these things, you will find both your heart and mind stayed more and more upon the Lord.
The mind is complex and forms associations with the things we allow to be put into it. When you input scripture, you will form new associations, and establish new thought patterns.
Also, retrain your mind as per Philippians 4:8. Choose to think about good things. This will involve taking thoughts captive as per 2 Corinthians 10:5.
As you begin to practice these things, you will find both your heart and mind stayed more and more upon the Lord.
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A LOT more Scripture, for me, equals a lot LESS sin, "presenting myself daily, as a living sacrifice"
(Romans 12:1-2 AV), especially when A LOT of Scripture is studied, Rightly Divided! *:
* Basic Distinctions (14 +) Of Prophecy vs Mystery!
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[ Update/Additions #’s: (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) ]
Amen.
* Additional study info:
“Things That Differ!”
A LOT of time spent With God And thinking/studying/meditating prayerfully and Carefully on
His Word leaves no time nor room For other thoughts, eh?
(Romans 12:1-2 AV), especially when A LOT of Scripture is studied, Rightly Divided! *:
* Basic Distinctions (14 +) Of Prophecy vs Mystery!
+
[ Update/Additions #’s: (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) ]
Amen.
* Additional study info:
“Things That Differ!”
A LOT of time spent With God And thinking/studying/meditating prayerfully and Carefully on
His Word leaves no time nor room For other thoughts, eh?
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I personally did meditation back when I was going through a hard time. It's not as complicated as people make it. You concentrate on your breathing and let the thoughts come (you can't control them) but don't attach to any. Similar to how you breathe in and out (let them come and go).
Then I could read the Bible and pray and be in the right mindset.
Nowadays I'm happy but busy. I don't meditate, but I do remove all screens (TV, phone, etc). Breathing is still helpful and writing lists. Being consistent.... do a little over a long period of time is better than a lot over in 1 day. You're more likely to do it.
Then I could read the Bible and pray and be in the right mindset.
Nowadays I'm happy but busy. I don't meditate, but I do remove all screens (TV, phone, etc). Breathing is still helpful and writing lists. Being consistent.... do a little over a long period of time is better than a lot over in 1 day. You're more likely to do it.
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The devil has access to our minds. That's why the "helmet of salvation" is part of our armour. We are also commanded to "take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ." The mind of man is his battlefield. We may have a good, clean heart and the best of desires. Yet we may find out thoughts argue with what is in our hearts. So how do we do this in practice?
Any thought that you did not choose to think is from an evil spirit. So the answer is to command the evil spirit to release your mind and tell it not to return. It is also good to meditate on God's word so you are thinking that which is acceptable to God. I go a little further. I command the evil spirit to go to the Lord Jesus to be sent to the place reserved by God for it, bound with everlasting chains. I learned this from a friend. He told the devil, "You will run out of evil spirits before I give up casting them off the face of the earth!" The devil soon left him alone.
As believers, our minds are given to us by God to express what is in our hearts. If our minds are flooded with the enemy's thoughts, that is near impossible. We can get a free mind. It may take time. We did not get bound up in an instant and we will need to fight through for a time. The time it takes will depend on the degree of bondage and how diligent we are.
Once the mind is free, we need to renew it so that we think according to God's word. We need also to remember that Satan quoted scripture to Jesus in order to tempt Him. Satan will seek to condemn us for a sin, for example. We need to answer that accusation with God's word. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. And, they overcame him (Satan the Accuser) by the blood of the Lamb, their testimony and not loving their lives to the point of death.
Ephesians 6:12 tells what the battle is about. It is literally wrestling in Greek. The thing about wrestling is that we will get stronger as we keep it up. It's God's spiritual workout program. If we give into the enemy's thoughts, we will be weak not strong.
One of Satan's sneakiest tricks is discouragement. He will tell us that it's not working or that we are wasting our time. He will tell us that we are too far gone or we are too sinful. Such thoughts are lies. Keep fixed on Jesus. Satan may well be saying the truth - about our old self. We need to remember that Satan is pointing to a dead man while we are alive in Christ.
There is more to say on this, but if you've got this far, you've done well!
Any thought that you did not choose to think is from an evil spirit. So the answer is to command the evil spirit to release your mind and tell it not to return. It is also good to meditate on God's word so you are thinking that which is acceptable to God. I go a little further. I command the evil spirit to go to the Lord Jesus to be sent to the place reserved by God for it, bound with everlasting chains. I learned this from a friend. He told the devil, "You will run out of evil spirits before I give up casting them off the face of the earth!" The devil soon left him alone.
As believers, our minds are given to us by God to express what is in our hearts. If our minds are flooded with the enemy's thoughts, that is near impossible. We can get a free mind. It may take time. We did not get bound up in an instant and we will need to fight through for a time. The time it takes will depend on the degree of bondage and how diligent we are.
Once the mind is free, we need to renew it so that we think according to God's word. We need also to remember that Satan quoted scripture to Jesus in order to tempt Him. Satan will seek to condemn us for a sin, for example. We need to answer that accusation with God's word. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. And, they overcame him (Satan the Accuser) by the blood of the Lamb, their testimony and not loving their lives to the point of death.
Ephesians 6:12 tells what the battle is about. It is literally wrestling in Greek. The thing about wrestling is that we will get stronger as we keep it up. It's God's spiritual workout program. If we give into the enemy's thoughts, we will be weak not strong.
One of Satan's sneakiest tricks is discouragement. He will tell us that it's not working or that we are wasting our time. He will tell us that we are too far gone or we are too sinful. Such thoughts are lies. Keep fixed on Jesus. Satan may well be saying the truth - about our old self. We need to remember that Satan is pointing to a dead man while we are alive in Christ.
There is more to say on this, but if you've got this far, you've done well!
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I suggest that you read "War on the Saints" by Jesse Penn Lewis. There are countless Christians who are bound by evil spirits. Derek Prince has good teaching on this subject too. Satan uses ignorance of his ways to keep Christians in bondage. God respects the free will of the believer, Satan does not. That is why we are commanded to resist the devil.
"Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
Read the section on the armour of God again. It says, "So that you may stand......." Standing against something is active, not passive. How do you imagine that Satan can trick or deceive people? If it not in our thoughts, where is it? Did not Jesus contend with Satan in the wilderness? If the Son of God can be tempted, how can we be exempt?
"For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.…" 1 Thessalonians 2:18
If Paul could be hindered by Satan, what makes you think that you are exempt?
"Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
Read the section on the armour of God again. It says, "So that you may stand......." Standing against something is active, not passive. How do you imagine that Satan can trick or deceive people? If it not in our thoughts, where is it? Did not Jesus contend with Satan in the wilderness? If the Son of God can be tempted, how can we be exempt?
"For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.…" 1 Thessalonians 2:18
If Paul could be hindered by Satan, what makes you think that you are exempt?
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I have been in some kind of bondage since probably November 2014, after I surrendered my life to Jesus in Spring 2014.
The bondage got even more restrictive in October 2022 when I quit my security professional job and even more restrictive in October 2023 when I left my job at Disney to go on disability.
Been seeing a therapist since but been basically at home every day since, in my room.
I don’t see anyway out of this.
Thank you for having a mind of understanding.
I sensed the peace of the lord in your reply.
The bondage got even more restrictive in October 2022 when I quit my security professional job and even more restrictive in October 2023 when I left my job at Disney to go on disability.
Been seeing a therapist since but been basically at home every day since, in my room.
I don’t see anyway out of this.
Thank you for having a mind of understanding.
I sensed the peace of the lord in your reply.
I learned about Gideon more in the Bible last night. Interesting choice in a username. Is Gideon your real name? My username (if you don’t know what it stands for) looks like it can be a Star Wars robot with herpes. (Yes, I’ve said that on here before) but actually means “Alive to See the Day (of Jesus’ Return)”
What I found out about Gideon is everyone wanted him to be king but Gideon turned the role down because if I remember correctly, I think he believed that God himself is actually ruler of Israel’s people, which in present day, are Christians like you and I. I actually believe that myself as well. Do you believe that? I mean you kinda have to with a username like Gideon.
Anyways, it was nice to meet your spirit in your previous reply. I think you might be one of a few Christians on here where I felt the comforting presence of the Lord. It’s actually one of the reasons I prayed last night and repented.
Appreciate it.
What I found out about Gideon is everyone wanted him to be king but Gideon turned the role down because if I remember correctly, I think he believed that God himself is actually ruler of Israel’s people, which in present day, are Christians like you and I. I actually believe that myself as well. Do you believe that? I mean you kinda have to with a username like Gideon.
Anyways, it was nice to meet your spirit in your previous reply. I think you might be one of a few Christians on here where I felt the comforting presence of the Lord. It’s actually one of the reasons I prayed last night and repented.
Appreciate it.
My wife keeps telling me how peaceful I am. I have been this way (not that I see it all that clearly) for around 15 years. I had an experience that was second only to the day I was born again. Encouraged by my mentor, I saw clearly that Lord Jesus had done everything perfectly for me already. I did not have to wait. When Jesus said, "It is finished", it was far more than the debt of sin was forgiven. I was forgiven. Until then, I was never content, always seeking a "breakthrough". I realised that evening that my breakthrough was that I did not need a breakthrough!
Satan wants us to believe that we have to do something. He won't tell us what, of course. We just have to somehow be better. Maybe we have to pray more, study more, go to church or whatever. One day, we must see that nothing can add to and nothing can take away from, the great salvation Jesus bought for us by His death and resurrection. I rest in that wonderful truth. That is freedom.
We have to start from that place, not see it as a goal to obtain. Then we can walk and work in the knowledge that Jesus loves us and wants the very best for us.
Satan wants us to believe that we have to do something. He won't tell us what, of course. We just have to somehow be better. Maybe we have to pray more, study more, go to church or whatever. One day, we must see that nothing can add to and nothing can take away from, the great salvation Jesus bought for us by His death and resurrection. I rest in that wonderful truth. That is freedom.
We have to start from that place, not see it as a goal to obtain. Then we can walk and work in the knowledge that Jesus loves us and wants the very best for us.
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No, I'm not really Gideon. I love that God chose a nobody to deliver Israel, along with 300 select men. I qualify as a nobody. I have no letters after my name; I'm not ordained by men. I don't even have 300 supporters! Somehow God has used me from time to time to help some who struggle as I have done. It's only by the grace of God. As my friend and mentor once said of me, "Why does God send me the hard ones?" Thank God for my friend's persistence!
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I had a friend and mentor like that myself, for about 11 or 12 years, after I accepted Jesus as Lord and savior.
He is actually the person who instructed me on how to accept Jesus as my Lord and savior. He probably knew I was ready cause I was already hearing the voice of God in church.
I guess his reward after helping me, his first girlfriend came back into his life (he never slept with anyone else) and they got married and now they have twins.
For 11-12 years he dealt with someone like me.
He is actually the person who instructed me on how to accept Jesus as my Lord and savior. He probably knew I was ready cause I was already hearing the voice of God in church.
I guess his reward after helping me, his first girlfriend came back into his life (he never slept with anyone else) and they got married and now they have twins.
For 11-12 years he dealt with someone like me.
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