Be sober [well-balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (AMP)
How does the devil attack us?
Often, we think that the big bad devil has the power to cause all kinds of trauma and tragedy in our lives, but it’s not true. He’s simply not that powerful. What he actually does is try to plant thoughts in our minds, hoping to start a process.
When we haven’t learned how to control our thoughts, by default we turn to the negative, and begin to dwell on these little negative thoughts that come from the enemy. If we allow our thoughts to go uncensored, it gives the enemy access to our mind, causing it to become a battlefield.
We need to understand that for someone to intentionally commit murder, first they allowed that thought to ruminate in their head. Likewise, before a marriage is destroyed, thoughts and fantasies about leaving must be entertained. All this doesn’t happen overnight. The thought process has been allowed to continue for months, or maybe years, until this flawed dream seems to be the only way. The enemy knows how to feed these dreams–how to keep bringing them to mind, causing them to grow until we feel compelled to act on them.
So how do we fight these mental attacks? According to 1 Peter 5:8-9 and 2 Corinthians 10:5, the antidote is found in being aware, standing firm in our faith and making every thought obedient to Christ. Dig into the Word; protect your heart and mind by focusing on, believing and declaring these truths. Then you’ll be battle-ready and can kick these thoughts to the curb before they ever take root!