Whose Mind Is It Anyway

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."  1 John 4:1 (NAS)

Tired of conflicting information?  Feel like you're bipolar or can't make up your mind?

We've talked about this before but it bears repeating.  Demons can't read your mind, but they can try to inject thoughts into it.  It's your job to decipher which thoughts are your own, which are from God, and which ones are from enemy spirits trying to trip you up.

How do you figure this out?

"Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I might not sin against You."  Psalm 119:11 (NAS)

"By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you heave heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world."  1 John 4:2 (NAS)

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty things raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NAS)

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him."  James 1:5 (NAS) 

"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'"  John 8:31-32 (NAS)

Read your Bible.  Pray.  Know what you believe.  Test everything against God's truth.  Not just on special occasions, but daily as if your life depends on it.  Because it does.

Check Your Point

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven."  Matthew 6:1 (NAS)

It's insanely frustrating to work your bum off doing what you thought God wanted you to do, only to see someone else receive--or worse yet, take--the credit.  Just as aggravating as that is investing mounds of time and energy in the Lord's work and not seeing any positive outcome from it.

Reality is, those things do happen.  When they do, we often question whether we truly heard from the Father, or if He let us down.  I've tried to learn instead to check my motives and my motivation.  Is my motive God's glory or my own?  Is it enough for me to know I'm living in God's will, or is my motivation from the satisfaction of getting results?

My friend Vic often says that people can accomplish a lot when they're not concerned about who gets the credit.  Along those same lines is the quote that a horse that's kicking can't pull, and a horse that's pulling can't kick.  Don't let yourself be distracted from what is most important.

"For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary."  Galatians 6:8-9 (NAS)

As they said in the 1970's, keep on truckin.

Advocate

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy."  Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)

If taking care of yourself and minding your own business is good enough Christianity for you, it's time to reevaluate.

Yes, God loves you, wants the best for you, sent His Son to redeem you, and pours blessings out on you.  Some of the blessings He gives you are people.  Teachers, encouragers, inspirers, exhorters, prophets, comforters, confidantes, companions, supporters, advocates.

It's not enough to bask in our blessings, God intends for us to share what we have been given.

"Learn to do right; seek justice.  Defend the oppressed.  Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."  Isaiah 1:17 (NIV)

You don't have to look far to find people at a disadvantage.  Are you advocating for them in the Name of Jesus?