Stop the Voice of the Enemy

Earlier this week, I went through a spout of being stuck in my mind. My day at work did not go smoothly at all. Upon arriving home, I went about my normal routine of quiet time, watching Hulu, and getting on Facebook; however, my mind kept retracting to my day. I was being weighted down by guilt, shame, embarrassment, anger, and paranoia. I was totally overthinking.

God also revealed to me that this happens to me a lot. Almost every time I have a really bad day, I replay it in my mind until it completely overwhelms me. The enemy is the father of lies (John 8:44), every time he opens his mouth he utters falseness.

We have to decide who we're going to believe. God's truth or the enemy's lies. God over fear. God over anxiety. God over depression. God over everything.

The enemy will use people to attempt to throw us out of alignment.  "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places"  Ephesians 6:12. The words people throw at me, the actions people commit against me, and the thoughts people think about me, I've let it consume me. I know that the devil wants to attack the children of God in their minds (Proverbs 23:7). From my own experience, when my mind was not right, my life was not right. An unclear mind bleeds into every aspect of a person's life, into their relationships, career, sleep, eating habits, and other things.

Ephesians 6:17- "...take up the helmet of salvation..." Remember God has already saved you and delivered you from the snares of the enemy. Protect your mind and cast those thoughts down (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Romans 8:5-  "The mind set on the flesh is death.  The mind set on the spirit is life and peace, for the mind set on the flesh cannot please God." 

In my overthinking session, God reminded me of the difference of conviction and condemnation.

Conviction is from Christ and it helps us to be better. It shows us an area in our lives that  we should tweak to become more like Him. Conviction is used to help you grow.

Condemnation is from the enemy. It says that you, as a whole, your entire being and character is flawed. Condemnation keeps you were you are at. One cannot grow in the presence of extreme criticism. Just like a plant can't grow in the dark, a person cannot grow with condemnation. It chokes the life out of you.

So the next time, you may feel condemnation, shame, guilt, or  that instant replay continuously going on in you mind, here are 10 things God wants you know and remember to stop the lies and the ugly voice of the enemy.

1. Accept it (your mistakes) and move on (don't get stuck in shame or guilt)
2. Forgive and forget
3. You are an overcomer
4. Don't stand in defeat
5. Fix your countenance (You're a victor; look like one. Turn that frown upside down!)
6. Hope is necessary
7. Don't let it define you
8. God can fix this
9. Fix your mind/ thoughts (Romans 12:1-2)
10. You can get through this

Peace & Love,

Courtney