2 Corinthians 10:5

We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ. 

As we develop in the faith, we build our stand on the word and our ability to stop destructive thoughts. We can recognize the wrong path and beliefs going in the wrong direction. We no longer are bystanders to the flesh and accept everything that comes to our mind but destroy those arguments. 

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast (that is, committed and focused on You-in both inclination and character), because he trusts and takes refuge in You (with hope and confident expectation).

Stress and worry focus more on the problem than the solution. When we focus on Jesus as our provider and answer, we remove ourselves from the situation. We shift the problem to Jesus in faith that He will help us, and as we use our faith, peace will come to our hearts and minds. 

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

Our thought life can be a battleground if we let it. The focus of our day can either be productive or destructive based on what we focus our mind. When we stand on the word of God, we stand on the power to control our thoughts by replacing them with the word. Our thoughts are the battle we must win daily to walk in peace and love towards ourselves and others. 

Mathew 3:1-2

In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea and saying. Repent (change your inner self- your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

The message hasn’t changed of turning from sin and turning to God. Many generations of people have come and gone, and still, God through Jesus reaches out with the message of salvation. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, and when we live a life of repentance, we find God’s purpose for our life.  

1 Corinthians 14:14-15

For if I pray in a tongue, my Spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. Then what am I to do? I will pray with the Spirit (by the Holy Spirit that is within me) and I will pray with my mind (using words I understand); I will sing with the Spirit (by the Holy Spirit that is within me) and I will sing with the mind (using words I understand).

We want to be productive in prayer and pray prayers that are a blessing to others. We also want to tap into the Spirit and pray according to God’s word coming to our Spirit. When we pray with our minds, we must be specific in prayer based on scripture and find backing for our needs in the Bible. 

Ephesians 1:14

The Spirit is the guarantee (the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste) of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own (purchased) possession (His believers), to the praise of His glory.

The Spirit provides the guarantee of our inheritance.   The blood of Jesus bought our salvation, and we bare the mark through the Holy Spirit living inside. The Spirit is our connection to God and our first taste of what our relationship to God will be in heaven.

Romans 15-13

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing (through the experience of your faith) that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in the hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. 

Faith and hope feed each other and come from the knowledge of the word. The word shows us the promises, and our belief brings hope for the promises to come to pass in our lives. When our faith is strong there is no room for doubt. Hope believes in the promise and sees the outcome.

Romans 15:1-2

Now we who are strong (in our convictions and faith) ought to (patiently) put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves. Let each one of us (make it a practice to) please his neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually.

The faith walk has stages. Like a child learning to walk, we don’t start out running. Our faith develops over time, and people around us are at different stages of belief. The mission is to be an example for the good of God and share our knowledge and experience of faith. 

Matthew 9:18

While He was saying these things to them, a ruler (synagogue official) entered (the house) and kneeled down and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just now died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.

When we get to the point like the synagogue ruler that we believe in Jesus and His abilities, we will see miracles in our lives. Next, the Bible will be more than just a story, but the truth about Jesus and His death and resurrection; our lives will lose all fear and doubt. Then, our lives will be radically changed in faith.

Matthew 7:1

Do not judge and criticize and condemn (others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge), so that you will not be judged (unfairly). For just as you (hypocritically) judge others so you will be judged and in accordance with your standard of measure judgment will be measured to you.

Only God knows what the complete picture of life is like for each person. We all do things that others would judge as lacking in understanding. However, God sees the person’s heart and whole life and judges according. Our perspective as mere humans limits our judgment and lacks the complete knowledge of God.