The Mind and Our Emotions
ICS Daily Devotions
We are a three-part being, namely body, mind, and spirit. Our mind is part of the soul. The worldly indoctrination that we have received prior to receiving Christ might have erected a stronghold in our mind. Therefore, our habits and the values that have been formed in us will need time to change. We process and evaluate with our mind, and we are a product of our thought life. Therefore, we will continue to live in the lifestyle of our “old man” if our mind is not renewed to live in the newness of life in the new creation.
We have an enemy who wants to kill, steal, and destroy our lives. He doesn’t want us to enjoy the abundant life, but we need to accept what the Word of God says so that we can live in the abundant life.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (NKJV) 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 devil has instilled a lot of lies in our thoughts that may have developed into strongholds in our minds leading us to be held captive in our minds. Our mind can tell us what we can or cannot do based on our life experience. For example, our past failures, including what has been said to us by people we respect, might still hold us captive from having the breakthrough that God desires for us, or we might be held captive by fear, doubts, and worries. Therefore, we need to tear down these strongholds and bring everything into subjection to the obedience of Christ, and we need to know God more and be renewed in the mind because the mind is the last battlefield for us to live differently and victoriously.
As there is tremendous power in our words, what we say to others will either build them up or tear them down, especially those with positions of influence over individuals because their words over them carry weight, as in the case of parents whose opinions are highly valued by their children.
Meanwhile, the soul also comprises of our emotions which help us to express our feelings, desires, and moods. Our feelings and moods can easily be affected by what we experience, whether good or bad. If it is a bad experience, the chances of us reacting in the flesh is very high, and if we are an insecure person or struggling with our identity, it can easily trigger a negative reaction, either in words or action. Our emotions are not dependable because they fluctuate based on the circumstances. Therefore, we need to bring our emotions into subjection by walking in the Spirit to express love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control.
Sermon Series: The Make-Up of Man
