2 Corinthians 4:4
How do we avoid thinking like demons?
First, we reject the self exalting assumption of demons. We renounce the supposed sovereignty of our identity, expressed through the life and death fight for the right to our opinion. Demons begin and end their assumptions with self as god. So do the self centered. They start from their "right" to think and feel and believe whatever they choose. They assume this right should NEVER be contradicted, should ALWAYS be defended, and should NEVER be defeated! To concede an opinion is the very loss of this person's identity, liberty, and reality. "NEVER!" they yell. They will fight to the spiritual death, and punish those who contradict them with words so hurtful they could permanently destroy relationships. To denounce demonic thinking, self must never be the starting point of an emotion or opinion.
Think right now of a strongly held opinion. ANY OPINION. Now think of the ORIGIN of this opinion, and the emotion behind the so called conviction. Is God the origin of the emotion or conviction behind the opinion? Is it God who is being dishonored and disobeyed if the opinion is rejected? Or do you feel these questions too "spiritual?" Do you feel you would just like to have a "normal" conversation without making everything about sin? Demons feel the same way!
Second, having rejected self as center, make God's mind and emotion the foundation of every assumption. This means that your "opinions" are just that--view points that you hold which may or may not be right or true, and are definitely NOT worth fighting for, dying for, or hurting others for. OPINION IS NO LONGER YOUR IDENTIFICATION!
How do we avoid being affected by demonic thought from others?
Authority.
Notice in the Garden of Eden how Satan assumed the authority to question Eve concerning God's word. Those who think like demons do the same. They assume an authority over you, and their opinion is law. They enforce their authority by punishing those who will not agree with their strongly held yet untrue view. If you fall for their assumed authority, the punishments begin, as it is written,
"Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slave, whom you obey?"
In other words, if you go along with the assumption of authority, answering the demonic thinker's questions as though you owed her an explanation, explaining yourself to him as though you must be approved by his mind, then you welcome the venom in his tone and accept the reward of her so called approval.
It is written again,
"Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you."
The "shield of faith" quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one--the venomous and cruel tone that intimidates and infuriates, that tears out your heart. If you make up your mind to close yourself to lies and be open only to truth, then your shield of faith will stop the torturous words from entering your heart. If you choose ONLY to believe what God says about you, reality, and your identity, and if you REFUSE to believe anything else, then the tone of demonic thinking will become apparent. You will be unaffected by the one who has no authority over your mind or identity.
- You'll refuse to even entertain those who reason like demons.
- You'll take spiritual authority over such thinking through prayer and the name of Jesus, as well as the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
- If you must converse with someone who thinks like demons, having rendered powerless the spiritual forces behind their thoughts, you will "take their thoughts captive," "cast down their arguments," and subject their thoughts to Christ. You will receive words from the Holy Spirit that they will not be able to resist or contradict.
Who do you choose to believe has authority over identity and reality?
God alone possesses this authority.
Submit to God, and demonic thoughts will flee!
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