ICS Daily Devotions
Protect Your Mind
Philippians 4:7-8 (AMP) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
The Apostle Paul instructs every believer to cast our cares upon the Lord and then meditate on the truth. The key to keeping the peace of God in our heart and our mind is meditation. God’s peace will guard our heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
This peace is very different from the peace that comes from the world that is subject to the circumstances. When we are fearful, we are actually meditating on the unknown, the different possible negative scenarios which might not happen. Our brain or mind is able to only think of one thing at a time. We are to determine what the brain thinks about. Therefore, we are to take charge of our thought life so that we will keep the peace in our heart and mind.
Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Our mind will have perfect peace when we stay focused on God by trusting Him rather than be affected by the circumstances.
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
When we fix our eyes on God and His character, then we will experience perfect peace. He does not want us to fear but take comfort that He is with us. He has promised to help us, strengthen us and uphold us in all circumstances.
2 Cor 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
The last frontier for us to conquer is our mind. There is spiritual warfare in this age and it is in our thought life. Temptation comes through our thoughts and our physical senses. There is an argument in our mind because thoughts and suggestions are thrown into it. Our lives are influenced by what we watch, read and how we process our thoughts. Fear or Peace enters through the thought life.
The Apostle Paul teaches us to pull down those thoughts, cast down the arguments, every high thing including rationalism and bring it to what the Word of God teaches. Meditating on the Word is the very act of casting down arguments by replacing it with what the Word says. It is our weapon of warfare. Think of what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, lovable, kind, winsome, gracious, and praise worthy!
Sermon Series: God’s Peace
