PASTOR’S CORNER, Jeremy Harris, First Southern Baptist Church, Liberal
3 For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
~2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For the last month, I have been leading a Bible study at our church called “Every Thought Captive” by pastor Kyle Idleman. (I highly recommend this book and study.) Over the course of this study, I have been challenged in my own thinking when it comes to the power of our minds to affect change in our lives. One of the areas I believe our world struggles with most is the concept of “self-talk.” You know that sound track that runs through the back of your mind throughout the day. It says lots of different things depending on what you’ve experienced and what you feed your mind with. Everything from positive images of personal success to negative thoughts about how worthless we are run through our minds on a consistent basis.
2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us that as Christians, we have the opportunity and ability to take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. Too often in our lives it is easier to see the parts of ourselves that are broken, battered, and bruised and we focus on those areas and speak them over our lives. When we choose to keep our focus there we say to ourselves that we are broken, worthless, subpar. We tear ourselves down in our minds regularly and even speak the words out loud on occasion. It’s no wonder then that we struggle to believe that God is good and that He loves us and that He has a plan for us. We focus on what is broken instead of recognizing the truth of the One who heals.
So today, can I simply share a scripture that you can speak over your life. This is a truth from God’s word that reminds us of God’s love for His children. When your mind wants to focus on the things in life that are broken and bruised, say these words out loud and let God speak over you in His love.
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. ~Ephesians 2:8-10
