Who's Messing With Your Mindset?
by Cynthia Jennings on July 8, 2020Some of you may or may not agree with this statement. We all have an enemy and that enemy is out to attack us. But who is our enemy and how does the attack come? What are the ways and methods the enemy uses to get us off course?
It is very important to understand the methods the enemy uses so we are fully equipped to be on guard and ready to fight back!
I believe the enemy (Satan..yes I said it) is really after three things in your life:
*Your relationship-Your walk with God.
*Your fellowship-Your communion with others in the body of Christ.
*Your discipleship-Your commitment to fulfill God’s purpose for your life.
One of ways the enemy works to attack theses areas of your life is by planting little seeds of doubt, often in the form of questions to mess with your mindset. Remember this is what the enemy did with Eve in the garden when he asked, “Did God really say….?” (Genesis 3:1). The enemy was messing with her mindset by planting seeds of doubt about God.
The way the enemy operated then is still how he operates today. These seeds of doubt attack one or all three of aforementioned areas in your life. If we are not careful these little seeds of doubt can take root and begin to breathe life, thus latching on to your thinking and cripple you leading you to an unproductive life.
The following are five questions the enemy uses to mess with our mindset:
1. Did God really forgive you? The problem with believing this lie is that it pushes you away from God. The enemy understands the power of feeling condemnation and wants you to feel the same way. Remember you are forgiven!
Psalm 103:11-12--For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
2. Does God really love you? This question often bounces around in our head especially after a disappointment or mess up. The proof that God loves you isn’t that everything always goes right in your life, but that God dealt with our greatest malady, which was our sinful condition.
Romans 5:8-- But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Lamentations 3:22-23--The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
3. No one understands what you are going through. This isn’t a question but a whisper that sometimes attacks you when you’re in a difficult place. The enemy’s goal with this is to isolate you. When isolation happens, you are left to your own devices leaving you weak and vulnerable. Not only does God understand, but He has placed people around you who knows exactly what you’re experiencing.
Hebrews 4:15-16--For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
4. Do you really think you can do that? Look at what you are? When this question arises, the enemy is trying to get you to focus on your flaws, limitations or qualifications. The enemy is attacking your mind with the negative challenge that you can’t or won’t be able to be or accomplish what God wants you to accomplish. Since God is the God of the impossible, His presence in your life removes what we believe our limitations are and equips us to accomplish what He calls for us to do.
Philippians 4:19--And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
5. Is this really worth it? If you dwell in this question too long you may feel like throwing in the towel and giving up. Accomplishing God’s purpose in life will definitely come with some bumps and bruises. You will have betrayals, disappointments, misunderstandings and people will walk away from you. However, there is no greater impact you will have or greater joy you will find in accomplishing God’s will for your life. The enemy understands this that is why he is so adamant at trying to keep you from fulfill God’s will for your life.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9--8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17--So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
PEARLStoPONDER: The enemy will attack! Are you guarded and prepared to fight?
It is very important to understand the methods the enemy uses so we are fully equipped to be on guard and ready to fight back!
I believe the enemy (Satan..yes I said it) is really after three things in your life:
*Your relationship-Your walk with God.
*Your fellowship-Your communion with others in the body of Christ.
*Your discipleship-Your commitment to fulfill God’s purpose for your life.
One of ways the enemy works to attack theses areas of your life is by planting little seeds of doubt, often in the form of questions to mess with your mindset. Remember this is what the enemy did with Eve in the garden when he asked, “Did God really say….?” (Genesis 3:1). The enemy was messing with her mindset by planting seeds of doubt about God.
The way the enemy operated then is still how he operates today. These seeds of doubt attack one or all three of aforementioned areas in your life. If we are not careful these little seeds of doubt can take root and begin to breathe life, thus latching on to your thinking and cripple you leading you to an unproductive life.
The following are five questions the enemy uses to mess with our mindset:
1. Did God really forgive you? The problem with believing this lie is that it pushes you away from God. The enemy understands the power of feeling condemnation and wants you to feel the same way. Remember you are forgiven!
Psalm 103:11-12--For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
2. Does God really love you? This question often bounces around in our head especially after a disappointment or mess up. The proof that God loves you isn’t that everything always goes right in your life, but that God dealt with our greatest malady, which was our sinful condition.
Romans 5:8-- But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Lamentations 3:22-23--The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
3. No one understands what you are going through. This isn’t a question but a whisper that sometimes attacks you when you’re in a difficult place. The enemy’s goal with this is to isolate you. When isolation happens, you are left to your own devices leaving you weak and vulnerable. Not only does God understand, but He has placed people around you who knows exactly what you’re experiencing.
Hebrews 4:15-16--For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
4. Do you really think you can do that? Look at what you are? When this question arises, the enemy is trying to get you to focus on your flaws, limitations or qualifications. The enemy is attacking your mind with the negative challenge that you can’t or won’t be able to be or accomplish what God wants you to accomplish. Since God is the God of the impossible, His presence in your life removes what we believe our limitations are and equips us to accomplish what He calls for us to do.
Philippians 4:19--And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
5. Is this really worth it? If you dwell in this question too long you may feel like throwing in the towel and giving up. Accomplishing God’s purpose in life will definitely come with some bumps and bruises. You will have betrayals, disappointments, misunderstandings and people will walk away from you. However, there is no greater impact you will have or greater joy you will find in accomplishing God’s will for your life. The enemy understands this that is why he is so adamant at trying to keep you from fulfill God’s will for your life.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9--8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17--So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
PEARLStoPONDER: The enemy will attack! Are you guarded and prepared to fight?
