The World's Roller Coaster
"Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, Who is the head over every ruler and authority.
"When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
"You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross."
My hopes of ever being an astronaut were dashed on a trip to a theme park. One of those confounded rides got the best of me. What was even more disappointing about the whole experience is that the ride was one of those that never even went anywhere. I was sitting in a vehicle of sorts that simply tipped at various angles along with the images being displayed on a massive screen in front of me.
My hopes of a shuttle flight floated weightlessly out the portal because the tweaked perception of reality caused me motion sickness on a ride 90 percent of people aren’t bothered by. They’ll have to send a chimp instead!
To avoid spiritual motion sickness you need an accurate perception of reality. Satan hurts us by getting us to believe what isn’t true. Paul was concerned about false teachers in Colossi poisoning the faith of the believers, trying to make them think wrongly about Jesus. He warned, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception..." In other words, "avoid the devil's theme park ride." The Colossians were on a “ride” where Satan was trying to control their perceptions. You are too! If you are not prayerfully vigilant and aware of Satan's plot to control, you will be deceived. Find reality in Jesus Christ.
The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
If you think like the world thinks, eventually you will act like the world acts. Unrestrained thoughts produce unrestrained actions. So control your thoughts by bringing them into obedience to the Scriptures.
Program your mind with the Word of God. The Word is spirit and it is life. When your mind is totally saturated with the Word of God, your will becomes strong to exercise authority to overcome every ungodly thought and evil habit.
Don't let Satan deceive you into sacrificing the glory of God in your life for a few moments of self-indulgence and sin. Restrain your thought life. Meditate the Word instead of selfish, carnal thoughts. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith.
- Copeland Ministries
Scripture Study: Psalm 119:11-18
"I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
I praise you, O L
I have recited aloud all the regulations You have given us.
I have rejoiced in Your laws as much as in riches.
I will study Your commandments and reflect on Your ways.
I will delight in Your decrees and not forget Your word.
Be good to Your servant, that I may live and obey Your word.
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions."
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