The most common deception
associated with mental and emotional illness
is a distorted belief
in God and yourself. Believing thoughts that are not true about yourself
and God eventually establishes mental strongholds.
Not everything we believe
about ourselves and God that is false comes from satan. The world
and the flesh are great enemies of the soul also. There are somethings
that can only be changed by renewing our minds to the truth of God's Word.
But when it comes right
down to it, it doesn't really matter where these thoughts come from.
The answer to what you should do with it is the same.
2
Cor 10:5
We demolish arguments
and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,
and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
If what you are thinking
isn't true or edifying, then don't think it.
Just telling yourself
to stop thinking those things isn't the end of it, though. You overcome
negative thinking by replacing those thoughts with the truth - by
purposefully choosing to think and believe the truth.
Phil
4:8
Finally, brothers,
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy--think about such things.
We are not called to
dispel the darkness, but we are called to turn on the light.
You can win the battle
for the mind if you are free in Christ--no unresolved conflicts between
you and Him.
(For an example of why
having unresolved conflicts between you and Him
will keep you from this
freedom, see 1 Cor 3:2-3)
To resolve these conflicts,
Submit to God and resist the
devil (James 4:7)
Maintain this freedom by continuing
to believe the truth and to live by faith. (Phil 4:9)
2
Cor 10:5
