Our mind is without a doubt the largest battlefield we will ever face. Our hearts can desire a new path but our mind will hold us hostage. Our worldview has been shaped through our thought life oftentimes beginning at an early age. Thankfully, as believers, we have the ability to wage war against thoughts that have created ruts of negativity in our minds. We have a hope and an ability through God's word and the wisdom of practical practices to form new pathways that lead to a life of renewed thinking. 

Let's read what Paul had to say about our thought life. 

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Paul is letting us know although we are human our war is not. Our war is spiritual! From an early age the enemy desires to hold you hostage through your thought life.The very core of who God created you to be will oftentimes be the place the enemy speaks his accusations the loudest.

1. The enemy will try to speak many lies over your life. Here are a few examples: 

• Identity Lies - He wants you to believe you will never measure up and continually second guess yourself. 
• Performance Lies - Always thinking someone else can do the job better. 
• Perception Lies - Everyone is watching me.

Question: Have you ever experienced a time in your thought life when you felt as if you were held hostage or unable to move forward?

2. The result of a negative thought life can often lead to feelings that will paralyze you and lead you to spiral. Here are some examples of how negative thinking can affect not just our minds but our bodies. 

• Disengagement - We step away from social settings. 
• Depression - We don’t feel like life is worth living.
• Quitting - We become ineffective and isolated.  

Question: Have you ever considered your thought life as the root of your emotional downward spiral? Does it give you hope to know that through the process of healing your mind you have the ability to take back your life?

3. Imagine a life free of toxic thinking. Here is how we can receive victory over our thoughts: 

• Gain Clarity - You can do this by journaling the negative thoughts, sharing with a trusted friend, or even receiving counsel from a pastor or christian counselor. 
• Recognize the Pattern - Oftentimes we are tired and just need some rest for a fresh perspective. Even after a victory we can find ourselves struggling to overcome. This is the time to recognize the thought and throw up that stop sign! 
• Learn to Affirm - What I speak is what I will believe. 

CONCLUSION: Paul knew that our thought life would be the very place that may hinder us from moving forward in our closeness with the Lord and be the productive, joy-filled, kingdom-minded believers God has called us to be. This week, take some time to journal those negative thoughts so you can replace them with truth. Did you know there is a scripture in God's word to combat every lie the enemy would lead you to believe?

Example: Lie of Identity - “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14