The Battle for Influence

The Battle for Influence

It is an amazing time for the church. With all my heart I believe a supernatural awakening, revival if you will is coming soon. I am speaking broadly in reference to the church in America. You and I will get from this movement, what we have prayed for. What we can believe for. Probably most important of all, do we want more of Him?

There are so many different things that are attempting to influence us today. Commercials influence our buying decisions. The news attempts to influence what we think about situations and circumstances in our world.

Probably the most dangerous influence we encounter is from the enemy of our destiny. The prince and power of the air. Ever trying to convince us of our lack of value. Our inability to succeed. Doing all He can to persuade us to forsake our Lord and give in to the temptations that the enemy provides.

Almost exclusively appealing to our old fleshly nature.

It is a war for our minds, for our thoughts. It happens when an atmosphere of negativity takes hold in our minds.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NASB

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,

4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

Amplified

3 For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.

4 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,

In verse 5 the word, speculations or sophisticated arguments comes from a Greek word which means, a reckoning or reasoning hostile to Christian faith. The word knowledge is referring to, a deeper, more perfect, enlarged knowledge. The word captive means, to capture ones mind.

Paul said this in the next chapter.

2 Corinthians 11:3 NASB

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

That word translated simplicity means, “sincere, the virtue of one free from pretense and hypocrisy. Not self seeking.”

To the Philippians Paul said this.

Philippians 4:4-7 NASB

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

There must be active opposition to the negative influence that attempts to stall your relationship with Christ. It will affect your home, your job, all your relationships. Everything about you.

You have to change the atmosphere. Atmosphere defined, “surrounding or pervading mood, environment, or influence.”

Your destiny is settled in the Heavens. Your victory, redemption, purpose, everything about you is established in the plan of God. Your enemy has been defeated. It is not questionable. It is a fact. When the Holy Spirit came He judged the prince of this world, “rendered him ineffective.”

You are more than a conqueror. You are a child of the most high God. The head not the tail.

Stop living under the negative influence of the enemy. Join your thoughts with the mind of Christ.

Colossians 3:10-11 Amplified

10 and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self— (It’s a process)

11 a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].

Change your thoughts (You can do it!!!!!)

#lovewins #hopelives