Learning to establish godly boundaries in our minds is critical to being a true follower of Jesus Christ. This is one of the ongoing battlefields for all believers and scripture tells us how we can wage a good warfare and win… but it will take discipline on our part. The results, however, our more than worth it.
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 carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.... 2Corinthians 10:3-5
This passage is key to our building and establishing godly borders in our minds. We must recognize some thoughts are opposite of what God wants for our lives. Thoughts of fear, lust, pride, greed, selfishness, anger, bitterness, rage and so forth, are contrary to righteousness and godliness.
Not only are we to take captive every thought contrary to Christ and His Word, but also apply godly and righteous thoughts to our lives because our conduct will be the result of our thoughts.
Thinking comes before doing unless it is an involuntary function of the body or brain (like heart and liver functions). We have the power to choose our thoughts. This is powerful and if used correctly, can make a dramatic impact on us and those around us.
A person who lives with fearful thoughts is subject to bondage and torment, according to scripture.
14) Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15) and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14-15
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
We all deal with fear, so this is something we must be diligent about overcoming and learn to walk in peace.
Jesus has given us His peace, but we must choose to allow it to have full expression in our lives (John 14:27). Again, this takes discipline and is a 24/7 commitment. It will require us to LEARN the way of peace and reject the constant bombardment of stress, worry, anxiety, and fear. Doing this necessitates girding up our minds with God’s Word and rejecting and casting down every contrary thought to His ways.
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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
8) 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 4:6-8
Walking in this manner will require a firm decision on our part. We won’t be able to just go through life with an “open mind” to every thought, idea, philosophy, which comes along. We will have to choose what we will allow in our minds, and purposely think on things in line with the Holy Spirit.
5) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the 6) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6
When we set our minds on fear, worry, and other ungodly thoughts, we are living and walking according to the flesh. We are responding to life like those who do not know Christ.
Although we have received Jesus as Lord, and are saved, we still have a free will to choose our thoughts and make decisions. This is why the scripture instructs us to make a firm decision to guard our minds and have boundaries on our thought life.
1) Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2) fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…. Philippians 2:1-5
The word ‘let’ in these passages indicates our cooperation in having this renewed way of thinking. It is not something that will take place automatically but will require our volition.
The reward of having a mind set on our Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit is glorious. Our perspective of life will change as we conduct ourselves according to scriptural boundaries.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3
Notice how keeping our mind on God, and trusting in Him, opens the door for His perfect peace. This passage reveals how important our thoughts are to the Father.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil, He always rebuked him with the Word of God, saying, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4,7,10). It is imperative for us to arm ourselves with God’s Word and resist the devil’s thoughts, temptations, lies, and strategies.
We cannot do this, though, as a part-time Christian. The enemy of our soul is full-time in what he does, and we must be full-time in establishing godly boundaries to protect our hearts and minds.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans12:2
As we daily renew our minds according to God’s Word we will establish godly boundaries in our lives.
Until next time, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, richly bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 09/12/2024
Comments