The War in Your Mind Pt. 1

Why do my thoughts feel like they are fighting me?

Paul describes a war inside a person, a mind that agrees with what is good and still does otherwise. He is not describing someone far from God but someone who knows exactly what is at stake.

For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do. But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good. For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice. But if what I don’t desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

Romans 7:15–20

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.

Galatians 5:17

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. The sin, when it is full grown, produces death.

James 1:14–15

How do I take a thought captive instead of just fighting it?

Paul does not tell the Corinthians to stop thinking. He tells them to bring every thought under obedience, which means thoughts get handled rather than simply endured. It is a discipline, not a mood.

For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,…

2 Corinthians 10:3–5

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, 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 worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:6–8

Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Colossians 3:2

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalms 119:11

Can I change what I think about myself?

Paul tells the Romans to be transformed by a renewed mind, and he grounds it in mercy rather than shame. David asks God to search him because he knows he cannot see himself clearly.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:1–2

Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalms 139:23–24

…that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Ephesians 4:22–24

For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7

Does God know what I am thinking, and does it push him away?

David does not treat God's knowledge of his thoughts as a threat. He calls it a comfort and asks to be understood rather than hidden from.

Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me. You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.

Psalms 139:1–4

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.

Hebrews 4:12–13

Yahweh knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.

Psalms 94:11

But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone, and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

John 2:24–25