Identifying and Eliminating Internal Interferance

Imagine yourself standing in the middle of a large room. No one else is there except one other person. He is talking to you and his voice is soft and gentle.

You clearly hear him talking and understand everything he is saying to you.

Then, someone walks into the room and starts talking. You divide your attention to hear both people at once.

After a couple minutes, someone walks into the room playing an accordion. Hearing the two people talk to you is more difficult now.

Within a few minutes, a couple monkeys bounce into the room. They are screeching, jumping everywhere, and fighting among themselves. The distraction they are creating captures nearly all of your attention.

You now find listening to the two men much more difficult and hearing the voice of the first man is now nearly impossible.

The above situation is analogous to what can go on in our minds.

The fewer the distractions we have in our mind, the easier it is for us to hear God’s voice. The more distractions we have in our minds, the more difficult it is to hear God’s voice. The more our minds are at peace, the easier it is to hear our Lord’s voice.

God created our minds to be one-track. Jesus said that we cannot serve two masters.

A sloppy thought life leads to double-mindedness. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8).

Neil Anderson, founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries, said that based on his experience, he estimates that 85% of all Christians have difficulty with their thought life. His experience indicates that only 15% of all Christians are continually free from harassing and disturbing thoughts.

The primary place of spiritual warfare is in our minds. The location of most of the battles mentioned in the Bible is in the mind with untruthful thoughts. Ephesians 6:10–18 describes the amour of God and tell us to put on the helmet of salvation. We are to cover our minds with the work that Jesus accomplished for us.

Research shows that we think an average of 1,300 words each minute! Knowing the origin of these thoughts and having power over our thought life is critical to regularly hearing God’s voice.

Generally, we have three main sources for the thoughts that come into our minds: the divine realm, the demonic realm, and thoughts that we ourselves create. Our goal should be to eliminate the demonic thoughts and control the thoughts that we create. We can and must discipline our thought life.

We need to avoid “havoc in the attic”.

Here’s a suggested plan of action:

First, expose any thoughts that are from the demonic and get set free (represented by the monkeys in the above situation). Thoughts from demons are characterized by the very fact that they are evil thoughts and they are persistent thoughts. They try to remove the peace of God and they are accompanied by unpleasant feelings such as fear, confusion, uncleanliness, and anxiousness. They are relentless and bothersome day and night, especially while falling asleep or waking up. Thoughts that compel you to sin or are part of a habitual sin are also clues that a demon is involved.

After the source of these thoughts are discovered, two things must happen: take your authority in Christ and command that they leave, and then replace that thought with appropriate scripture verses.

For example, if you are plagued by thoughts of hatred towards a particular person, command in the name of Jesus that the spirit of hatred leave you and then meditate on John 15:13, 17, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. This is my command: Love each other.”

The stronghold must be removed and replaced. God’s power will remove the stronghold, but it’s our job to fill the void with words of Life (Luke 11:24–26).

Second, reduce external noise (represented by the man playing the accordion). We have more opportunities today than ever before to listen to whatever we want, wherever we want, and however we want. Many people actually use noise and loud music to escape from their own thoughts and their own conscience.

Turn off the meaningless noises. Allow quietness to enter your life. It’s amazing how loud your own thoughts and the Lord’s voice can seem to be when everything else is quiet!

Third, become aware of all of the thoughts that you create and categorize them as good thoughts or bad thoughts—positive thoughts or negative thoughts (represented by the second man).

Then, begin to control the negative thoughts and eliminate them. Train your brain to monitor your self-talk. Maximize singleness of mind.

When our minds are disciplined and our thoughts are under control, then hearing God’s voice can be as easy as being in an empty room and listening to the other person talk!

Here are just a few verses on having a controlled thought life:

Preparation and self-control of the mind: 1 Peter 1:13, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

The unwavering mind: Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

What to think about: Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

It is my prayer for you that Father will continue to help you to hear His voice, and more and more frequently.

With God’s grace and in His peace,

Gary

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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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