“Don’t worry about ANYTHING; instead, pray about EVERYTHING. TELL God what you need, and THANK HIM for all He has done. Then you will EXPERIENCE GOD’S PEACE, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will GUARD your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7) Why are we so prone to worry Amanda? Satan wants nothing more than to enter certain areas of our lives so he can gain a stronghold. He’ll try anything to throw us off center, distract us from our focus, and render us ineffective for the Kingdom of God.
THERE ARE COMMON AREAS THAT THE DEVIL TRIES TO CONTROL:
- OUR HEARTS: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Prov. 4:23) Satan knows he has an entry point into our life if God is not first in our hearts Amanda. Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest? Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS.” (Matt. 22:37-40)
- OUR WORRIES: to make us doubt God’s love and provision Amanda. The bible says, “Don’t worry about anything…” (Phil. 4:6)
- IS OUR THINKING DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD’S: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:2)
- DO OUR BODIES GLORIFY GOD: “…dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a LIVING AND HOLY SACRIFICE—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way TO WORSHIP HIM.” (Rom. 12:1)