For years, I remained stuck in some powerful strongholds that I was unaware of. They influenced my thoughts, my actions and my mental health. Last week, I talked about recognizing strongholds and Satan’s attacks.

I shared my story in uncovering these strongholds and finding restoration and healing. But the story doesn’t stop there. Because now, even years after tearing down these strongholds, Satan still tries to tempt me with them.

He still tries to get me thinking in these unhealthy and negative ways. He still tries to trap me in old thought patterns. And he still tempts me in all-to-familiar ways.

This is why we need a battle plan. Because being a Christian and standing against Satan is not just a defensive stance. God provides powerful tools and strategies that we can use to stand against Satan. 

The most powerful way to do this? Renewing your mind with the Word of God.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2

So today let’s dig into how we can practically and actively renew our minds and find peace and freedom from Satan’s schemes and grow in intimacy with the Lord.

Memorize Scripture for Specific Moments

One thing that I struggle with is allowing my thoughts to run rampant. If I become anxious or stressed, angry or hurt, I find my mind dwelling and ruminating on thoughts that lead me far from God’s peace. 

I have learned that a powerful way to renew my mind is to memorize Scripture. This is one of the most common things that I find myself sharing here at Courage. Hope. Love. because it has been an insanely powerful way to combat the lies of Satan.

It is important to stop and recognize these temptations, lies, hangups, habits, strongholds etc.

It is important to have Scripture at the ready to proclaim and repeat in order to replace these things.

The best way to do this is to have Scripture memorized. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy section of Scripture. Even a short verse can have a powerful effect when it comes to pushing back Satan’s schemes and finding peace.

As you replace Satan’s attempts to infiltrate your mind with Scripture, you will see a powerful freedom and peace begin to replace your anxiety, stress and hopelessness.

Consider What Your Inputting

The things we put into our mind have an enormous impact on the peace we find and the intimacy we have with the Lord.

When you fill your mind with negative, unloving and tempting content, you are going to find your heart overflows with similar things.

I realized this when I was stuck in an addictive TV show. The show itself was not bad, but it had a lot of inappropriate content, language and disturbing storylines. I found myself growing more and more anxious in all areas of life. I found my heart beginning to drift from the Lord and especially from intimacy with the Lord. And most of all, I found myself always having to watch the next show!

TV can do this to us. It is a powerful input into our mind that will greatly affect our mental health and our actions. Social media is another big input. But also, the friends we hang out with and people we spend time with, the books we read, the situations we find ourselves in. These are all things that are going to influence the input into your mind.

When you put these things that “conform to the world” into your mind on a constant basis, it will be a lot harder to find peace and intimacy with the Lord.

Instead, we need to replace these things with the things of God.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. -Philippians 4:8

Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Out

For most of us, our natural tendency is to conform. It’s hard to stand out, to be different. A lot of times when we do, we lose friends or connections, we risk our reputation and we label ourselves as something we might not want to be labeled.

But Paul tells us specifically not to conform to the world. Why? Because he knew we would need the reminder! He knows how hard it is to stand out, to be different.

But he also knows the power, intimacy and freedom that comes when we do.

I struggle when others judge me or dislike me because of my faith.

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. -Matthew 10:22

The world will hate us if they do not know Christ. They will not understand why we live the way we do.

But there are so many times that standing out can be a powerful witness to unbelievers or hurting people.

As we embrace the call of Christ and don’t fear standing out, we will find powerful freedom. As you strive not to conform to the world around you and renew your mind, you are going to stand out.

I want to encourage you today to take some time to journal your thoughts. What is it that you struggle with or are tempted towards when it comes to renewing your mind? And what steps can you take to stand firm against these temptations?

Claiming Victory!

Are you ready to claim the victory that Christ has won for you and live out that powerful freedom and peace from Satan's attacks?

This 30-day devotional was created for just that. With 4 weeks geared towards strategic strategies and implementing the powerful truth of God's Word, you can walk through the process to overcoming Satan in your life. You can find victory in spiritual warfare!

Click here to learn more about the Claiming Victory! Devotional