Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. -Romans 12:2
Changing the way you think changes your perspective which changes how you act in the world. Paul’s words aren’t new. “Change your mind” is the central theme of Jesus’ first sermon (Matt. 4:17). Jesus challenged people to change their thinking because regardless how many times you read through the Bible, if your mind doesn’t change, you will simply impose your biases and labels on the words you read. source
We can also face demonic strongholds in our own lives, in our families, and even in our churches. Anyone who has fought an addiction, struggled with pride, or had to “flee youthful lusts” knows that sin, a lack of faith, and a worldly outlook on life are indeed “strongholds.” ...What we need are Christian soldiers, totally surrendered to the will of the Lord of Hosts, who will use the spiritual weapons He provides. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7). source
Dr. Charles Stanley, former pastor of the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, shows how strongholds develop. They begin with a thought. One thought becomes a consideration. A consideration develops into an attitude, which leads them to action. Action repeated becomes a habit, and a habit establishes a "power base for the enemy," that is, a stronghold. When we find ourselves wondering why we continue to do a thing we despise, here is the explantation. The enemy has made use of an area of weakness his power base, and he hits us again and again. The only weapon adequate to deal with such strongholds are those that are mighty through God. They are spiritual weapons. -Elisabeth Elliot Discipline: The Glad Surrender
For though we live in the world,
we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power
to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension
that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,
and
we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power
to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension
that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,
and
we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
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This generation is full of Bible illiterate Christians who are not aware of basic doctrine, have never heard of the exegetical method of Bible study, or know that there are topical dictionaries and concordances of the Bible. They like the current popular Christian best seller but don't know enough to tell if it is Biblically accurate or not ...and don't really care as long as it makes them "feel" spiritual. They prefer to keep dining on the easy milk or poisoned milk instead of moving forward with deeper studies that can impact their lives.
"Study to show thyself approved"
is a command,
an instruction,
given to us in Scripture
about Scripture
from God, Who,
if you are a Christian,
is your
authority.
What we learn from the Bible is for our benefit in this life. Why do you think people have risked death to own one? I have friends that spend a lot of money and risk their lives to smuggle Bibles into certain countries. Why? Because contained within its pages is a treasure more valuable than all of the money on the earth.
Dear reader, if you are sincere about your faith and truly want to know God, you must study the Bible in depth. My prayer is that God will give you an insatiable lifetime hunger for the truths to be found in His Word.
