Satan – the scoffer.

Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles Your name. Psalm 74:18

Can you recognize the thoughts the enemy places in your mind? How much negative ‘talk’ do you allow them to fill your mind with? How often do you automatically agree with those negative thoughts, accusations, and lies that the enemy places in your mind, about God, your spouse, your friends, and or about yourself? I saw a strategy by someone the other day who has now named that ‘voice’ in their head. They now call that voice “Fred” (Please understand I am not trying to belittle anyone named Fred). So, when those thoughts arrive in their head …they now tell “Fred” to bug off, and that they won’t listen to him any further. Immediately this kind of scenario reminded me of this scripture.

And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Matthew 16:22-24

Now did Jesus rebuke Peter or the voice / thought that popped in Peter’s head who immediately blurted it out at Jesus? Did Jesus name Peter? Do you think Peter was shocked at what Jesus just said to him? I think we are WAY too unaware of those voices that are maligning the things of God in our minds, and we think it is ‘us’ and not an outside ‘force’ that is producing all these thoughts. That may be the case SOME of the time, but definitely NOT all of the time. The enemy definitely comes to place lies in our minds, to get us ‘off track’ and agree with them. We think it is ‘us’ and we quickly adopt those lies as truth and run with them. How many times have we believed the lies about our spouses that the enemy is placing in our minds. Negative interpretation can be a constant road block to the relationship. Have you listened and agreed so long with the enemy that negative interpretation has become a habit for you, whenever your spouse says something to you?

This discipline of discerning the origin of our thoughts is a HUGE step needed in spiritual maturity. Knowing who or what or where all those negative thoughts and lies are coming from that arrive in your mind is a massive step in recognizing and rebuking them and coming into agreement with the Holy Spirit in your life. What does the Holy Spirit use to help you understand the origin of those thoughts?

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Who does God say that you are? What does God say about you? Do you think it is negative? Does Love do that? What should you be saying and thinking about your spouse, friends, and fellow members of His Body? What should you be believing about them? Do you thank God for your spouse? Are you grateful to God for ALL the things He has given you? Is gratefulness your first reaction to situations? Do you thank God for all the opportunities that come your way to show His love in … word and action?

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit … help us to discern those things the enemy places into our minds! Help us to recognize ALL the things You have provided for us! Thank You Father for your love for us!