Thought life.
What are you thinking about?
What you concentrate on, you give life to.
If, out of the heart, the mouth speaks and we have the power of life and death in our tongue (Matt.12:34, proverbs 18:21), then it’s safe to say, thoughts are like seeds, that produce a plant and eventually bear fruit. Good or bad.
This is why Jesus tells us to let go of our own way of thinking. To sacrifice our logic in exchange for His way of thinking.
I believe that one of the most important ways to protect yourself against the enemy is to wear the Helmet of Salvation.
A helmet is meant to protect your brain. You can’t really function well without your mind. You need most of it - if not all of it - to function properly.
While some helmets cover the ears, others only have small slots for the eyes. I believe this is an example to us of what we are to do spiritually.
If you need to cover your ears from hearing certain things that don’t draw you closer to the Lord then you should (Mark 4:24).
If you watch something that pulls your worship away from Jesus then maybe make those eye slits a little narrower. In a world that tells us to be open minded and worldly, I’ll be a fool 🙋🏻♀️. This is where something seems wise but isn’t (Proverbs 14:12). We are convinced that being “narrow minded” isn’t a virtue. Even by other Christian’s. Yet scripture tells me otherwise.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
And 100 other verses speak about keeping narrow eyes, heart, and mind set on Jesus. Literally. Here they are: https://www.openbible.info/topics/keep_your_eye_on_the_lord
Remember who He is. What He has done. And why He did it. Remember you’re salvation! Think on the truths of what He paid for you to have. Obsess over it. Meditate on it.
The Greek word for salvation is sozo. It means healed, delivered and set free. This isn’t always done all in one swoop when we say a salvation prayer. Sometimes, it takes us a while to let go of the way we think, in exchange for His way. This can prolong our healing, deliverance and freedom.
For example: we may think we have forgiven someone but we still hold bitterness, undetected in our hearts. If we humble ourselves and fully surrender our hearts to Jesus for Him to reveal to us the truth (Psalm 139:23) He will help us truly let go and fully heal. This can be a process. When it is, keep in mind it’s because He is gracious and gentle. While it’s uncomfortable, if we push through that discomfort, freedom and peace are on the other side.
Sometimes we have generational curses that need to be broken off. Cycles in our family line that seem impossible to change. Yet, all things are possible with Christ! He paid the ultimate price to break every curse. It requires a willing open heart to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:27 tells us God uses the foolish things to confound the wise. I’ll be honest, anytime I’ve had breakthrough it almost never looked logical to me.
But as I have renewed (and continue to renew) my mind, His ways become more and more sensible to me.
Holding a grudge may seem right to you, but it’s exactly what’s keeping you in prison and making you sick. If you think you have a generational curse, repent on behalf of yourself and anyone else in your bloodline that has allowed it to continue (Leviticus 26:40). Forgive yourself and anyone else because Christ already has. Jesus’s blood actually did break the power of sin and death (John 8:36).
Ultimately, wearing the Helmet of Salvation looks a lot like guarding your thoughts and surrendering the things that consume your mind to the Lord.
When you do this, He replaces your thoughts with His. He renews your mind with peace, love and confidence in Him (2 Timothy 1:7). You’ll have joy without even trying.
Sometimes the battle is strong. In those times especially, meditate on His word day and night (Joshua 1:8). Remember the joy of your salvation (Psalm 51:12) because keeping that in the forefront of your mind is going to protect you from completely losing it. And if you have completely lost it, don’t worry. He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one, so He will put you together again and cover you as you put your helmet back on.
~ Amanda Santistevan