As a Man Thinks So He Is
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds
2 Corinthians 10:4
Every experience we have shapes the lens by which we view life from. These experiences cause mindsets, or fixed thought patterns. The brain is a highly complex organ, and we need to understand it as both a place of physical function as well as psychological function. The mind or thought patterns/beliefs (psychological) set off a chemical response in the brain affecting the emotions (physiological) causing a reaction (behavior) to manifest. We truly become what we think or meditate (ruminate) on.
Over time, consistent thought patterns become strongholds of the mind, fixed structures of thought patterns that cause automatic responses within the feelings. This is why others often can tell you what they feel, but not always what they think. Strongholds take time to develop and the developing memories of how they began may have faded away but the emotional reaction to similar circumstances does not.
At the root of every ungodly stronghold of the mind is a lie believed against self, others, or God. This is not to say what a person perceives about their experiences is false, it is to say what they believed because of it, can be false. Example, a child who is emotionally abused often grows up with an internal mental recording on loop of either the negativity/word curses spoken over them or what the enemy has whispered to them. Their agreement makes it an internal truth giving satan a foothold as he seeks influence and opportunity to build a stronghold so he can demonize (not possess) a part of a person’s soul (mind, will, emotions).
So, what is the remedy? Truth. The mind of Christ. John 14:6a ~ Jesus answered, I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. Jesus is the truth. He is called The Word of God. (Revelation 19:13) The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) Our truth is the literal word of God, the logos, the written word of God. The only way to uproot an ungodly structure of lies is to build a Godly structure of truth. It is to take captive every thought by gatekeeping the mind and denying the entrance of anything that comes against what the word of God says, the truth. (2 Corinthians 10:4)
It is to behold Jesus. That is to have eyes fixed on Him. Eyes fixed on the truth so that we will continue progressing on into one greater measure of glory to another greater measure of glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Our truth is also the rhema word, or Holy Spirit inspired word and encounter that always is in alignment with the logos. The one who governs his mind governs his life. We may not be able to control everything to happens to us, but we can control what we believe within us.
As a man thinks, so is he.
Proverbs 23:7
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
Philippians 4:8 Amp