Life Plan Devotion #79 [God's Armor--Shield of Faith, Part VII]

Hi, Everyone.
I trust you had a good weekend, and you're ready to begin a great week. Today, we pick up the Shield of Faith, looking at the first of 4 practical ways to guarantee that you can extinguish every flaming weapon of Satan. I pray today's devotion speaks to you and that you will, in turn, "speak" to me, by replying.

Life Plan Devotion #79 [God's Armor--Shield of Faith, Part VII]

     Last time, we looked at the 3 most commonly used "darts of the devil" (doubt, discouragement, and depression). Today, let's look at the first of 4 practical ways to guarantee that you can extinguish every flaming weapon of Satan. How do you "hold up the shield of faith, to stop the fiery arrows of the devil" (Ephesians 6:16)?
     To extinguish every dart, you must think faith. You must "take every thought captive to the mind of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:5). The enemy will try to whisper thoughts that are counter to the Word of God, because if he can plant a seed of doubt, discouragement, or depression in your mind, he knows that thought can become a feeling, that feeling can become an action, that action can become a habit, and that habit can shape your character (who you are) and your life (what you experience).
     To take every thought captive, you must think the thoughts of Jesus, and those thoughts are contained in the Word of God. Spend time in the Word, and be "washed by the cleansing of God's Word" (Ephesians 5:26). Do that, and you will think faith and be able to extinguish every flaming weapon of Satan.

Philippians 4:8
"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

What this has to do with weight loss: Every pound of excess weight is gained or lost in the mind first. Follow the trail from the scale to the mind and you will see that is so. The enemy wants you to think thoughts of doubt, discouragement, and depression, even about your weight. The Lord wants you to think thoughts of faith, hope, and love, even about your body and its ability to release weight. Which thoughts will you attend to today?

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I know it is crucial that I think faith, that I wash my mind in the water of Your Word. Help me to do that today, Lord, so that every thought I think this day will bring honor to You and victory to me. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and think the thoughts of faith, to defeat the thoughts of doubt, discouragement, and depression.

Blessings,
Mary

Hi Mary,
On the way to Tulsa today Joyce Meyers came on the radio.  She was talking about the same thing, taking every thought captive.  She was talking about how could a preacher who once was lead by the Holy Spirit end up stealing money from the church and having an affair with the secretary.  Because of not taking his thoughts captive and ending up make one little bad decision at a time.  How it was a long road of bad decisions and thinking over and over about those bad thoughts.  I think listening to the devil a little more and a little more.  She talked about finally acting on those thoughts and how bad decisions can harm our souls.  I'm not saying things like she did but I hope you know what I mean.  Anyway just a little comment!

Sister in Christ,

Julie

Hi, Julie.
I love how God confirms the Word in other ways, through other people, etc. :)  Yes, Satan begins with whispering minor faith-less (my new word) thoughts to us, to see if/how we'll respond. If we do respond, he gradually whispers thoughts that urge us to do more faith-less acts. We must be aware and watchful, with our Shield of Faith up and active. Thanks for reading and replying. :)
Blessings,
Mary