The Bible says I have a sound mind but sometimes it doesn’t feel like I do! Do you ever have those weeks that are just a total mental battle? It would be great to say we’re always flying effortlessly in the clouds with Jesus but sometimes we’re in the trenches of our minds engaged in a war zone! Whether it’s fighting off condemnation, accusation, intimidation, insecurity, frustration, agitation, depression, temptation, irritation and I’m sure you can add a few more to the list. For some people this is a really big issue where they are just fighting to keep their head above water let alone walking with a strong sound mind that is overflowing with peace, faith, joy, victory, confidence, boldness and strength.

So is there a way that we can strengthen our mind? Can we move more and more to having a sound mind that thinks the thoughts of God and operates in the eternal wisdom that is from above rather than the earthly wisdom from below? Yes we can and I want to share 5 things that help me. These won’t guarantee you’ll never face a mind battle again, but they will equip you to win the battle a whole lot quicker!

5 ways to develop a sound mind:

  1. Set your mind on things above.

The truth is there is nothing wrong with anyone’s emotions. Emotions simply follow our thoughts. What we focus on will have a direct affect on our emotional mental state. If we continually focus our thoughts on the eternal Kingdom of God our mind will be filled with hope, faith, joy, peace and strength. When we focus our thoughts on problems, challenges, hardships, difficulties, troubles and negative things our mind will be filled with despair, fear, hopelessness, unbelief, depression, intimidation, accusation, condemnation etc.

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Philippians 4:8-9 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. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

  1. Fix your thoughts on Jesus.

Jesus was able to endure the Cross because He looked beyond it to something greater, us. We can therefore also look beyond our troubles to something greater, Jesus.

He is our great example of enduring with joy. He is our victory, our saviour and our King.

Hebrews 12:2a looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,

John 16:33 In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

How do we look to Him? By seeing Him in the Word. By meditating on Him. By prayer. By praise and worship. Praise declares the greatness of God. It lifts our eyes up to see Him. It magnifies God over all our problems. Praise songs should never be about us but always about God. I don’t want to stand around singing songs about me, and my struggles and my hard life. I want to sing songs about God’s bigness, His power and His strength. When we do this we are filled with heaven’s bigness and eternal perspective over all situations.

  1. Take every thought captive.

We must challenge every thought that tries to exalt itself above the knowledge of Jesus and make it obedient to His truth. When we allow little lies to contradict the truth of Jesus in our mind the battle begins. Most of the battles in our mind are because of lies exalting themselves above the truth of Jesus. Sometimes you’ve got to force those thoughts to be obedient to Christ with a little bit of spiritual warfare!

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

  1. Put on the helmet of salvation.

The more we have a revelation of our perfect salvation in Christ the more it protects our mind. This include a knowledge of the finished work of Christ, salvation by grace, set free from the Law, our justification by faith, no more condemnation, no longer counting our sins against us, set free from the penalty, presence and power of sin, we’ve been made perfect and holy forever, eternally secure in Jesus and seated in heavenly places with Christ high above all principalities and powers and with all authority.

Ephesians 6: 11-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

  1. Pray.

When we know that we are not alone, but God is with us and we can pray and He will help us, it fills us with supernatural peace that guards our mind.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I’d love to hear from you what helps you to develop a sound mind, and any great Scriptures you could share. Feel free to comment below.

God bless, and may His peace fill your mind in every way!

Ryan.

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