Guarding your mind
As believers, it's imperative for our spiritual growth, our ministry and our personal emotional stability to guard our minds.
Satan attacks in various ways including
• Attacking the message of Grace (False gospels and false doctrine)
• Attacking the Messenger
• Discrediting the Messenger
This can lead to anxiety, stress, fear, and depression. Paul experienced this.
2Co 1:8 KJV -
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
He experienced all of the attacks of the adversary. All you have to do is read from Acts chapter 9 to Acts 28 and read all of his epistles to see how much he suffered for the sake of the gospel. Yet, he kept going till the end of his life!
Acts 9:15-16 KJB
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
1 Tim 4:6-8
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
How did Paul endure all of the suffering he experienced? It was through guarding his mind with bible study and prayer.
Guard Your Mind with Daily Bible Study
God's word will work effectually in us as we read, study and believe it. God's word gives us hope, comfort and produces other fruit of the Spirit. This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit today, to teach us God's word as we read and study it rightly divided.
1Th 2:13 KJB
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
2Co 1:4 KJV -
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Rom 15:4 KJV -
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Galatians 5:22-23 KJB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law
To guard your mind and overcome anxiety, stress, fear and depression make it a priority to read and study God's word everyday. Schedule it into your phone notifications or planner. If you are new to Bible study, start in the book of Romans. Listen to or watch videos on rightly divided bible study. Start a bible in a year reading program. Any little bit of time in God's word will be helpful. Consider it to be like your daily bread. It is food for your soul.
Guard Your Mind with Daily Prayer
Prayer is us speaking to God. We speak to him in understanding of his word rightly divided; understanding his will today in what he is doing in forming the church the Body of Christ to fill the heavenly places. Prayer helps us to think over the sound grace doctrine that is built up in our inner man. We can go to God in prayer and in supplication.
On the Grace Ambassadors website they wrote the following about prayer:
Prayer works!
• It works to produce the peace of God in our care full lives. (Phil 4:6)
• It works to make known our requests to God (Phil 4:6)
• It works to align our hearts and minds with sound doctrine. (Phil 4:7)
• It works to motivate us to minister as the Lord has instructed. (Eph 6:19)
• It works to bring every thought captive. (Phil 4:8, 2 Cor 10:5)
• It works to give us spiritual strength and confidence. (Eph 3:12-16)
• It works to generate gratitude towards God. (1 Thess 5:17-18)
• It works to keep us honest and life quiet. (1 Tim 2:2)
• It works to minister grace living. (1 Tim 2:8)
Eph 6:18 in the KJV says,
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Phl 4:6 KJV -
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
1Ti 2:8 KJV -
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
1Th 5:17 KJV -
17 Pray without ceasing.
So, to help keep your mind guarded, and to help you to overcome anxiety, stress, fear and depression, spend time in God's word daily and in prayer.
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