But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (John 14:26, ESV).
Are our memories helpful or harmful? Do they build faith in the future or undermine our confidence?
And do we realize that our memories are the fodder of spiritual warfare in our lives?
Jesus teaches in John 14 that the Spirit works through our memory to build confidence in the Word of the Lord. The evil one always counterfeits the goodness of God, so one of his ploys is to stimulate memory bytes of anger, insignificance, and helplessness.
There is spiritual warfare with memories. Will we be led by the Spirit or Satan in our thoughts?
Let’s consider that flashbacks of a family member offending you, the constant recycling of a past negative event, or thoughts of failure — could be stimulated by the evil one!!!
If the Devil can gradually take control of our memories, then our weapons of faith, hope, and love in present thought (so needed in the end times) will be rendered useless. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, the Apostle Paul describes strongholds in the mind …
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds … and take every thought captive to obey Christ (ESV).
God has not left us defenseless. We can achieve victory over negative thoughts as we have weapons that destroy strongholds!
How do deploy our spiritual weapons?
First: Enjoy conviction!
We mostly run from admittance of error. Jesus says that the Spirit comes to convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).
Pray: Lord, please let me hear your conviction of a devilish thought.
Second: Pluck out eyes and cut off hands!
When Jesus taught about the removal of hands and eyes, He was speaking figuratively of radically removing any triggers of temptation. When we act upon thoughts, think erroneously, and speak negativity — we allow dark memories to fester.
Pray: Lord, give me strength to say “no”! Spirit, remove this stronghold of thought.
Third: Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice …
As Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always!”
Take a few minutes to write up a “Rejoicing Plan.” It should include Scripture to be memorized, a commitment to rejoicing three times a day, and a consistent journaling of good memories.
A thoughtful and committed “Rejoicing Plan” is the best way to take control of our memories.
Pray: Lord, give me strength to allow memories of joy to dominate my thoughts.
Our memories are the battleground through which we find the victory of peace.
We will win in 2024!!
Let’s believe the OGV rendition of John 14:27 …
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart and mind and emotions be troubled, nor let it be fearful.