Combat Zone

. . . and carried His obedience to the extreme. . . (Philippians 2:8b, AMP)

Good Morning!

My friend’s doctor told him to lose twenty pounds to avoid health problems. He has never focused on food, eating whatever was available. After hearing the word, “diet,” his thoughts became focused on food. For the first time in his life, he is thinking of food he shouldn’t eat. Dieting has produced a battle in his mind.

There is a combat zone in every mind.

Christ Jesus understands the battle within the mind. A moment in time was recorded in the gospel of Matthew:
He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." (26:39, NLT)

Christ Jesus won the battle as told in Philippians 2:8b:

. . . And carried His obedience to the extreme:
Obedience requires intention and action, which begins within the mind. Ultimately, obedience requires thoughts of disobedience to be surrendered and let go from the thought process. While obedience becomes easier for the individual who repeatedly chooses to obey, thoughts of disobedience will run through the mind.

The ancient King David explained to his son that God knows what occurs in the battle zone of the mind:
And Solomon, my son, get to know the God of your ancestors. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and with a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and understands and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. (I Chronicles 28:9, NLT).

Examine the combat zone of your mind.
Determine what thoughts battle with the will of God.
Choose to think and act in extreme obedience.
Celebrate winning battles in the combat zone of your mind.

Learning with you to win battles in the combat zone,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved) Rights Reserved)