CONTROL WHAT YOU THINK ON. The mind is a battlefield and if you do not control your thoughts, you will experience very little victory over this world, your flesh and our enemy. I hear you say, “Christ won us the victory!” And yes He did. But you have to appropriate that victory. If the enemy can keep you imprisoned in your mind, he has rendered you ineffective for the kingdom; therefore you are already defeated. I do not believe in victimhood. I believe in the power to overcome all things, all circumstances, all storms, all trials, all sufferings, every past hurt, present hurt and future hurt that we can and will experience on this earth. Romans 12:1-2 tells us that we ARE transformed by renewing our mind. How do we do this?
“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.”
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
Whatever is True- God is good and He is faithful to do all He said He would do. THIS is what is true. You can trust His Word, He is truth and He cannot lie. He holds the earth and all its functions by His Word. His Word will never ever ever return void. You are a new creation, held by His word. You are an overcomer held by His love. He has good things for you and He holds your life in His hands.
Whatever is Noble- better translated as “venerable”, whatever is worthy of respect. Give all glory and honor to God whom it is due. Think on His glory and willingness to do good things in your life. Give Him praise for that which has not yet come to pass, being assured it is coming with great expectation. Live with a heart full of worship of a worthy and wonderful Savior.
Whatever is Just- righteous in actions and word. Meditate on acting and speaking righteous, not what your feelings and emotions dictate, but that which the Spirit dictates. Be sure to speak justly as life and death are in the power of our words. Think before you speak. The just knows how to walk circumspectly in this world.
Whatever is Pure- righteous in essence, “blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”. A pure mind and heart hopes and believes for the best, endures all trials and afflictions, thinks no evil but dwells on the good knowing that God’s goodness is appointed to you. A pure heart is free from the taints of the world and our common enemy, it is uncorrupted.
Whatever is Lovely- that which deserves love. Love bears all things and all trials without buckling under the weight of that trial; love endures all things and all circumstances. Love does not boast and is always kind, love does not rejoice in sin but rejoices in the truth. Love thinks and prays for the best in all men.
Whatever is of a Good report- This phrase represents a Greek word which is commonly used for “fair-sounding,” or “auspicious” and “acceptable”. We are asked in Scripture, “whose report will you believe?” Will you believe the report of the enemy and his lies? The report of the world and its lies? Or will you believe the report of what God says is true? Did you just get a bad report? Think on God’s ability to turn it around and to bring His healing and deliverance to this circumstance. Will you believe the report of the 10 wicked men sent to spy out the land or the faithful two who said, “We are well able to overcome through our God”?
Whatever else is of Virtue and praiseworthy- if there is anything else that is virtuous and worthy of praise, think on these things. God always shows up on time. He is good, right, true, merciful, and faithful. These virtues are praiseworthy.
This means:
Cast down the lies and the taunting of the enemy. I mean it. Do not believe the lie! Neither give any place to the devil. He seeks to sift your mind and cause turbulence and turmoil. Do not give him a crack! Cast out all thoughts of evil, concerning a person or a situation and think on a good report. Cast out every thought that brings an evil outcome and steals all hope and think on God’s goodness and promises to you. Cast down hopelessness, fear, anxiety, doubt, depression, and any other thought that seeks to exalt itself above the Word of the Lord. Pray and seek the best for others and give God praise for their souls. Expect for God to do good and to show mercy. Expect for Him to keep His Word and His covenant promises. If you control your thinking, you WILL have the victory.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page