“² Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. ³ He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” ⁴ Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her.” (2 Samuel 11:2-4a NLT).

When something surprising and unusual happens it may try to take our curious minds captive before we take our thoughts captive first. A lot of people give in to such desires out of stress and as an escape from reality. Daniel’s character changed dramatically as lust aroused his heart and to selfishly have what’s not his. Unfortunately due to his position of power it wasn’t hard to reach out to Bathsheba and the consequences not only damaged who he was as a man, but the lives and marriage of Bathsheba and her husband who was one of Daniels soldiers. You may know the rest, Daniel eventually put Uriah out in the front lines so he would be killed off in hopes to save him from embarrassment and confessing what he had done with his wife.

It doesn’t matter if your a man or woman, our minds have triggers that we need to learn to control. I’ve had a number of people of all ages of both genders confess they have been dealing with issues that they are ashamed of. It’s not easy confessing sins and recognizing that your susceptible to such sins like Daniel was. In just a matter of seconds, a thought can change your entire atmosphere, from either being shamefully disgusted or stronger that you won another battle waged against your mind.

Battle of The Mind

First and foremost it’s important for each Christian to know what they are up against in this world by contributing their time to reading the scriptures. It baffles me how many Christians still don’t understand why they fall into sin. However, many are not committed to reading the text of God’s Word that has been given to us to combat the daily struggles, whether it being of the mind, dealing with others, making decisions, witnessing and you get the point. I challenge everyone I have these conversations with to learn more of the scriptures God has already given us. Relying on your pastor once or twice a week, your close friend or family member and/or this blog once in your life just doesn’t cut it. As much as our curious minds are receptively being tempted to give in, we need to repeatedly combat these battles with the Word of God.

1 Renewing of The Mind

 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. (Romans 12:2 NKJV).

Paul, who is a major contributor to the New Testament knows what he’s talking about and speaks a lot from personal experiences. He used to persecute Christians. He knows what it means to be on the other side and fighting not just against evil thoughts but fighting along with evil thoughts against God. But his mind has been renewed. He sought to see Christians to be killed but God got his attention. However, Daniel being a servant of God had let his guard down. Even after accepting Christ theres going to be more of a war waged against us because we are children of God. Daniel and Paul are two great examples of Godly men who dealt with this battle.

“¹⁷ This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as ^[f]the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸ having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;” (Ephesians 4:17-19 NKJV).

Renewing of the mind involves an complete change in our thinking, reacting and how we view things. We know that God is love, Jesus taught love, so by viewing life out of love that God has in mind for everyone will lead you to make better choices.

2. Spirit vs. Flesh

  ^“40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? ⁴¹ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40-41 NKJV).

The night Jesus was handed over to be crucified he kept asking His disciples to pray. They were tired and instead of keeping watch they fell asleep. Jesus referred to it as temptation of the flesh, wanting what is pleasing, in this case sleep. Daniel struggled in his flesh, he gave into the temptation of pleasure what our bodies naturally crave. It is in this understanding why it may seem we may give in so easily, and why the battle to do what’s right is not as easy as we’d thought it might be.

Paul allowed himself to became vulnerable to us by admitting his troubles, he shares this because he knew what it must feel like for many others to think your alone facing these battles. Thank God for Paul and being real with us so we understand, that even as a leader he has spiritual battles to face.

  ^“15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. ¹⁶ If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. ¹⁷ But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. ¹⁹ For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. ²⁰ Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” (Romans 7:15-20 NKJV).

Daniel struggled, Jesus warns us of the struggle and Paul admitted his struggle. We can take into consideration for these struggles not to come as a surprise. However, this doesn’t give an excuse or reason to keep giving in. As Christians we are no longer slaves to sin but to righteousness, but if we keep giving into the foothold of sin then we give power to Satans presence in our life, where if we keep giving into the spirit we give God power to work through us.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds of the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5 NKJV)

3. Restoration after Sin

There are sins we will have to deal with as long as we live here on earth. However, if not careful, sins can become habitual and become hard to get out of when it grows a root into our daily lives. This often happens out of ignorance and just assuming God’s going to continue to forgive us. This is a sinful habit that one obviously keeps covered up as if it never happened. But if you’re like me, you know and believe God keeps His promises, not just the promises that we get to benefit from, but promises of what will happen if we don’t respond appropriately and turn from our sins.

“He who covers his sins will not prosper; But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” (Proverbs 28:13-14 NKJV)

Its a lonely road enduring a daily life of being ashamed of a habitual sin. Again Jesus made it clear that the flesh is weak compared to the spirit. However as said in Philippians 4:13 we as Christians can not only do all things through Him but also overcome such battles in our life because of the strength He gives us. We are without excuse for not turning away from sin. There are things where we will do all that we can to make it work. We commit our time in order to pass a test, in order to get fit, to perform at a job or make our daily relationships work. In hindsight, this needs to be our same focus and attitude when it comes to allowing our minds to be renewed and deepening our relationship with Christ.

Jesus promises to forgive us if we turn from our sins. Doing so allows restoration to take place, it allows guilt and shame to be replaced by His love and joy to be made full.

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11 NKJV.)

Imagine what the world would be like if Jesus made an excuse not to be crucified for our sins because it would hurt to much. We often make all the excuses we can to justify our reason, and maybe this justification is a sign and proof that ones judgment is already blinded of their sin. Jesus did what was necessary for our greater good because in Heaven, the grass is actually greener on the other side. We are called into obedience.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23 NKJV)

1. Are you dealing with a spiritual battle? If so what?

2. Do you recognize where your thoughts need to change? What triggers your mind responds to that needs to be dealt with?

3. Do need restoration? If so, state what area/s in your life need to be restored, confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness admitting you’ll turn away from your sins.

4. Understand that God isn’t surprised by the battles we face of Spirit vs flesh. It is His desire that we experience complete joy in our lives.

It’s not easy admitting to sins that have haunted us and weighed us down. But it’s not a road we want to travel just because we don’t want anyone to find out. It’s best to expose to God and deal with it versus living a sinful life that leads to destruction. A life of such sin can lead one down a dark and lonely road which grows a root of other sins. It’s best we take our thoughts captive, especially together as iron sharpens iron.

I encourage you to seek someone to pray with you, to seek help. You may feel like there is no one around you to trust. I understand it, and I’ve been there. Fortunately there are people you can simply talk to on a site I recommend. They are simple volunteers, living their lives as much as you and I doing our best to do what’s right and make it through another day. Jesuscares.com is a site where you’ll find people who loves Jesus and are willing to spend time with you, to listen, to pray, to study with and whatever the occasion or circumstance may be. You don’t need an account or pay for anything. If you can’t find anyone give the volunteers with Jesuscares.com a try.

  ^“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 ^[a]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, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV)

Rev G

I recently read a post on facebook stating “It’s hard to get in shape spiritually if you only work out on Sunday.” A very true message and even more true to those not belonging to a body of other believers where iron sharpens iron. Many people will agree that the Bible says things will become worse, but have you ever stopped to ponder how today is brining that prophecy to be fulfilled? Are you apart of that movement to the fulfillment?

Each year that goes by I’m witnessing how much more the world and fellow Christians are turning to myths and further from the truth. I’m not one to just share my opinion, let my words be few and let the Word of God speak the truth into the souls of man as I continue to carry and share the truth. It says God’s word is sharper that a double edge sword. But how will one know the truth unless they are seeking and digging deeper into the truth. Some I believe read the Word of God but somehow manage to come out with some mystical and scriptural twisted view to fulfill what they want to believe is true and disregard what the text is actually saying, and in turn destroy themselves of their own false claims.

2 Peter says it better than I do. “And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him–speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.” (3:14-18 NLT)

I have copies of several Bible’s: KJV, NKJV, NIV, NLT and the one that helps the most to combat twisted scripture references is the Apologetics Bible which is the Holman Version. It has side notations of certain scriptures that are commonly taken out of context by individual and or groups or other religions. If you don’t know, the KJV is the oldest translation that we have available to us in our language dating back over 400 years now. I have been making it a habit to fact check if you will, other bible versions with the KJV for accuracy. This is part of my getting fit spiritually and putting on the armor of God. The other exeresises are communicating with God (praying), journaling and acting out in my faith, by first and foremost learning how to love and serve others as Christ has done unto us.

I can listen to other pastors and leaders speak on scripture, but there are those who don’t know the difference if anything is being taken out of context because they fully rely on their leaders, pastors or priest. Carlson Pearson, an Oklahoma pastor claims that God told Him that nobody needs to be saved because they already are. There’s a featured movie about him on netflix called Come Sunday. If you read scripture and understand it, you wouldn’t be able to confirm what he says is true, although he lost his church and most of his congregation, he still has a congregation.

Lets face it, we live in a culture where self pleasure is on the rise. Technology and knowledge as stated in Daniel 4 will increase as people go to and fro, given the world and bigger library to fill our heads with false claims.

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

This scripture hit me like a brick when I was 14 and has been my life verse every since. You’ll see how scripture is being fulfilled if you do your research and observe the people of today. For example, I have come across, I believe his name is Steven Crowder, that has a youtube show called Louder with Crowder. He is a conservative libertarian who goes around to public places such as universities, with their permission and has open conversations about a specific topic. His usual set up has a banner with a statement he believes is a myth with the words Change My Mind underneath it. Whoever would like to have a one on one civil conversation to try and change his mind is welcome to sit and talk as everyone around listens. One of the topics was Stating “There are only 2 Genders – Change My Mind.” A LBGQT and whatever letters I’m missing, leader sat down with Crowder. Her basic argument for why there are more genders is the result of increased technology and knowledge. I’m not quoting word for word, but basically her argument involved chromosomes, have more of one over the other, despite the biological evidence of what physical characteristics were present, that somehow if an individual feels they want to live choose what nouns they are identified with that they have the right to do so and that everyone else should respect their wishes even even they don’t know how they want to be identified. Long story short, she never gave a number of how many genders there are and as the scripture says, she is one of many that have turned to myths.

I could continue on with how people believe in the flat earth theory, despite all the evidence and scripture that clearly states otherwise, I would like to simply challenge you to get your head in the game! Don’t rely on me, don’t rely on your leaders, pastors, priest and whoever may be an influence in your life, for as scripture says in Matthew 24:24 says that false messiahs and prophets will appear that will deceive many and possibly the elect. If you’re reading this and searching your own Bible to fact check what you’ve heard, congrats your one exercise closer to being more spiritually fit, but dont quit theres plenty more reps.

Rev G

“Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow.” (Psalms 144:3-4 NKJV)

Looking at the timeline simulates in my mind of the small fraction our lives have on this earth really is, however what we do can leave a worldly impact for generations to come. For instance, Benjamin Franklins inventions helped further the use of electricity. Though there has been inventions before which used electrical currents or friction in certain ways, nothing has been more notable than his inventions and it’s only been 267 years since he rigged up his kite, key and sailed it into a storm. Compared to over 6000 years, 267 is a mere glimpse, but has had a world wide impact that won’t be forgotten.

Though inventions have made life more simplified and pleasing, it also brings many new distractions. Though we can see from history in Noah’s days, man kind became distracted by sexual lust for each other.

“If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be up on them.” (Leviticus 20:13 NKJV)

This isn’t a new idea that President Obama allowed to become legal in the US. Though the site of it is very disturbing at the fact we have a government who supports an abomination and/or murdering of babies, it’s simply a repeat of history which will have negative impacts on our future.

Although we have these sins which are repeating themselves, we are facing new distractions that history has never been exposed to, the technology age. This increase of information has been shown to Daniel long ago.

“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase…And he said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” (Daniel 12:4,9-10 NKJV)

The key phrase here is “…many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.

How much more can knowledge increase? So much has been exposed to us that it almost seems in the past 300 years the world has been on a high technology race. None of us who live today know what it’s like to live in a world without electricity, unless your amish, had a storm that knocked our your power or are in one of the unreached tribes in the amazon or such. Which if you’re reading this that’s obviously not the case.

I was born in the early eighties and remember playing outside a lot, however, I also remember going over to my Grandpas house playing on his commodore 64, Ataris and the time mom brought home the original Nintendo system. If I wasn’t outside I was more than likely playing a game or making a mixtape with my cassette FM/AM radio recording the latest songs. Then technology continued to increase. I was now making mixtapes from CD’s, or trying to jog with a CD walkman in my pocket. I was the type of kid who would go dumpster diving for pop cans and pop bottles just to get the 10 cent refund. I even saved enough one summer to buy a $220 Schwinn mountain bike, and then of course $150 playstation.

Needless to say, I could continue on with all the advancements and upgrades I did from building my own computer and getting a wii then trading it in for an XBOX One. But for the sake of it, what good is it to me verses what God has to offer? Those are all fun and temporary. But if I substitute my time in fellowship with God for these earthly treasures, I’ve become a lover of the world. I can only imagine that these distractions mixed in with the sexual desires will eventually have a devastating toll to which our world has never seen as which is mentioned in Matthew 24:21.

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

I don’t believe we’ve seen the worse. We have presidents that may do the unthinkable, and it seems that with every new president we get people start questioning if he’s the anti-christ. However just a handful of lines before verse 21 we read in verse 14 that “…this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. I was searching on google last night and read that there’s about 80 – 100 unreached tribes in the world. I then proceeded to use google earth and zoomed in over the Amazons. In the green forest you can see these brown patches, which I can only assume are actual village tribes.

These are people that haven’t even used a cell phone. I’m curious to how they respond when they see an airplane in the sky. There’s photos, thanks our increased knowledge of gadgets, that have captured these unreached tribes pulling back the strings on their bow n arrows just incase these giant bird like mechanism we call airplanes or helicopters get to close.

I’m not against increased knowledge, I enjoy my gadgets, but I can live without it if I had to. The question is, are we to distracted by them? Are these new things in this world becoming a hinderance to our reality in life? I’ve realized time and time again how much temporary enjoyment I get from checking a social media post and oh those game apps. I’m hate them so much I get drawn into them from time to time. I like strategy games, however I don’t understand how someone can play a game app where all you do is tap to make rows disappear. Can this actually hinder ones concentration time or cognitive thinking? There are several articles that tell you one thing and then another, but the big problem here is the addiction it creates and the time that it waste. I can’t deny that this is a beginning to a bigger problem in the future by escaping the realities of life through this increased knowledge we have surrounded our selves with. With there to be an end, there has to be something that’s going to set it up and fuel it. And it’s even more disastrous with a nation such as the US with many distracted Christians. With this next verse is where my concern comes from

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-it is not the Father but is of this world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 NKJV)

Are you concerned the Christians of today being distracted? I see it every where, even if it’s not by the increase of knowledge, clothing fashions, technology, social sites, games, it’s by division within politics, denominations and religion. There’s a lot more that can be added to the list, but you get the gist.

The only way to get back on track is with our focus on Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter what denomination or non-denomination you’re a member of, you alone have to be focused on your relationship with Christ. You may hear that it’s important to have a personal relationship with Christ, but it doesn’t mean that no one should know about it. The nations of the world need hear the gospel of Jesus. It’s by Jesus testifying that the world came to know Him. It’s by the testimonies of Paul, the disciples and the ministry of John the baptist that many were healed and saved. It’s by recognizing and allowing the Holy Spirit to communicate with us of what God’s will is for us.

You may be like me, often I don’t feel like I’m doing enough. There is much needed to be done, and much is out of my reach. Even by thoughts alone we can be distracted from God’s will. So I continue to rest all that I have, worries and put aside time to spend in prayer, listening, reading scripture and allowing my life to be of worship to God. Things are nice, but it’s not everlasting and not worth our soul to substitute our walk with Christ.

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or to the left; remove your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:25-27 NKJV)

With this being said, it’s a matter of the heart issue. What do you really love? There are no but’s and excuses allowed in heaven. What you desire and spend your time determines what you really care about.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV)

It is my prayer that you join me in wanting to live and lead a better life. What we do makes a difference around us, and it does matter for the long term outcome of the world we live in. It is my hearts desire for God to look down on me with favor and be one of the many that “…shall be purified, made white and refined…” (Daniel 12:10a NKJV)

Rev G