"To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." 2 Corinthians 2:10-11.

Why is it that many Christians fail in their walk, after repenting of sin and coming to God? Many people sincerely try to serve God, but find it hard to overcome those daily struggles of the flesh and of the mind. Soon they become frustrated and disillusioned, only to fail again. One of the greatest reason Christians fail in their daily attempts to overcome sin, is because they do not truly understand Satan’s devices. In many occasions the devil will deceive you into thinking that the battle takes place in your spirit and body, when in effect it takes place in your soul (mind, will, and emotions)! While it is true that we need to fight Satan with spiritual weapons, the Christian needs to know how to use these weapons in the dimension of the soul. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the apostle Paul exposed the nature of the battle when he declared, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh [body]: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [body], but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds [soul]; Casting down imaginations [soul], and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought [soul] to the obedience of Christ."

Consider with me TWO main targets in which the devil uses his devices, "sinful thoughts or imaginations" and "strongholds" in your soul. First of all, if the thoughts in your mind are the result of conditioning, then you can be reconditioned by the renewing of your mind. Anything that has been learned can be unlearned. This is why Paul declared, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 (NIV). It is through the preaching of God’s Word, Bible study and personal discipleship that you stop being conformed to this world and experience the transformation of the renewing of your mind. This is why those past experiences that have been spiritually and emotionally devastating in your life continue to plague you, because they come form thoughts that raise themselves up against the knowledge of God. In other words, the devil continually fills your mind with thoughts which are opposed to God’s plan for you!

Let me explain! When Paul told the church to cast, "...down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ," the Greek word he used for "thought" is <noema>. This is a very interesting word, because in order to fully understand its meaning you have to see how Paul used it in other passages. For example, in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 Paul said, "To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices <noema>." Paul used the same word <noema> "thoughts" to describe Satan’s schemes, thoughts, or devices! In other words, when Paul said we are to "...bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ," he was NOT talking about bringing into captivity YOUR thoughts, but Satan’s thoughts <noema> [devices].

When Paul used the word <noema> for "thoughts" he was using it in relation to Satan's activity, his devices and schemes! Why do these thoughts need to be taken captive? Because they are the enemy's thoughts, NOT your thoughts! You see Satan’s devices is to introduce his thoughts and ideas into your mind and deceive you into believing that they are yours. If Satan can place a thought in your mind, and he can, it isn’t much more of a trick for him to make you think it’s your idea. If you knew it was Satan’s thought, you would reject the thought. But when he disguises his suggestion as your idea, you are more likely to accept it. That is his primary deception. The devil used this deceptive strategy with

• Adam and Eve (to eat the fruit -Genesis 3).
• King David (to number Israel - 1 Chronicles 21:1).
• Peter (to rebuke Jesus for the cross - Matthew 16:21-23).
• Judas (to betray Jesus - John 13:2).
• Ananias and Sapphira (to withhold some of their offering - Acts 5:1-3).

All these thoughts probably came to them in the first person, making then believe that it was their ideas. Let me give you an example! When you wanted to get baptized, the thought came to you, "What if I can’t make it. What if I fall and backslide. I’ll be worse off." Those are not your thoughts, those are Satan’s thoughts. Yes you might be worse of if you fall afterwards, but if you don’t get baptized you still go to hell! Learn to bring Satan’s thoughts under captivity to the obedience of Christ by saying, "devil, THE BIBLE SAYS, ‘if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’ 2 Cor. 5:17 (NIV). ‘I can do all things through Christ who give me strength!’" Phil. 4:13.’" Satan is the father of lies. The Lord Jesus Christ said, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44 (NIV). If Satan can get you to believe a lie, he can control your soul. If you fail to take a thought captive to the obedience of Christ, but believe it, Satan will control your mind. Remember, that the renewing of your mind is an essential step in your "walk of faith" because the Scriptures expose the fact that Satan is responsible for those sinful thoughts!