1 Peter 4:7

The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer (staying balance and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him).

The pressure will increase to conform to the world as the end nears. Keeping our minds strong and renewed in the Word of God is essential. The flesh may want to react in fear, but our spirit remains strong through its connection with the Holy Spirit and the Bible. We will keep our balance with prayer and focus on the Word.

1 Peter 1:13

So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober (in spirit- steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert) fix your hope completely on the grace (of God) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

The mind should not be allowed to wander or think about just anything. All thoughts that come to mind need to be judged and cast down when they do not align with God’s word. When we manage our thoughts, we keep ourselves out of trouble and our spirits alert and sober.  

James 1:22

But prove yourselves doers of the word (actively and continually obeying God’s precepts), and not merely listeners (who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning), deluding yourselves (by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth).  

We will succeed when we follow God’s word if we keep doing and following His instructions. God tells us to renew our minds, which keeps our minds sound and able to hear from God. When we commit to being a doer of the word, we build ourselves up in scripture, prayer, and praise, keeping ourselves from unsound truth.

James 1:5-6

If any of you lacks wisdom (to guide him through a decision or circumstance), he is to ask of God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame and it will be given to him. But he must ask (for wisdom) in faith, without doubting (God’s willingness to help), for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed the wind. 

What is the difference between a doubter and a believer? Where the focus resides and the thoughts the focus generates. Faith comes from a concentration and belief in the word of God. Doubt comes from letting the interference of the devil and the world into the mind and believing that over the Word of God.

James 2:1

My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality (toward people-show no favoritism, no prejudice or snobbery).

We are to be good to all people, not regarding their wealth or poverty, and judge people with wrong motives. God judges the heart that is on the inside and can see a person’s motives. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves and see to walk as Jesus walks toward mankind on this earth.

Psalm 16:7-8

I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my heart (mind) instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

The more we focus on God and His counsel, the closer we draw God to us. The Lord will teach us and instruct us in His ways. He will lead us with the Holy Spirit and guide us closer to knowledge and understanding of His word. The relationship with God develops with time and practice as we learn to trust God and His works. 

Psalm 9:1-2

I will give thanks and praise the Lord, with all my heart; I will tell aloud all Your wonders and marvelous deeds. I will rejoice and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. 

Praise helps us focus on all the good that God has done in our lives. When we praise, we turn our focus off the problem and onto the solution to the problem. We express our faith in God in praise as we lift our voices and remind the devil that God is in control. 

Romans 10:3-4

(The Jews) For not knowing about God’s righteousness (which is based on faith), and seeking to establish their own (righteousness based on works) they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law (it leads to Him and its purpose is fulfilled in Him), for (granting) righteousness to everyone who believes (in Him as Savior).

God created the law to help a man keep from sin, but a man without the Holy Spirit could not keep the law. Jesus came to remove sin once and for all and remove salvation by works. Our faith in Jesus and believing in Him redeems us from sin. Our faith is the key to overcoming the enemy and keeping us free from sin.

Romans 8:5

Those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh (which gratify the body), but those who are living according to the Spirit (set their minds on) the things of the Spirit (His will and purpose).

We must school our minds to the things of the Spirit and cast down and out anything against the Spirit of God. It is the only way to keep our peace and to walk out our call here. The practice and time are worth the effort. A sound mind takes a sound faith, and the flesh is an adversary to both.  

Romans 6:6

We know that our old self (our human nature without the Holy Spirit) was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.

God gave us armor to protect ourselves against enemies’ attacks. The adversary’s job is to find weaknesses to drag us back from faith. Our knowledge of the word is necessary because we speak the word to counter the enemy just as Jesus did when He was tried. We are no longer slaves of sin; the Word is our sword.