Bible Versions I will be quoting:
ESV= English Standard Version NIV= New International Version
It would be impossible for me to encourage anyone (myself included) to live a life of Having Character without adopting what I call “Scripture Mentality”. The Bible is powerful because it is God’s word to us. We, the creation, are loved by our Creator! Yes, the Creator of all things, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, cares and loves you in ways you can’t even imagine!
In the worst days of struggle in my life, God has always shown up! It wasn’t always what I wanted, but without a doubt, He was always there! Through his word and the Holy Spirit living in me, I have been given a comfort and inner peace that I can never truly explain. It’s the inner peace and comfort to know God is in control and that his love for me blows my love for me away. I might not always understand why things happen, but what I do know is that nothing can happen without God making it happen or allowing it to happen. Quite simply, He is God and I am not… and that sets my mind at ease to face anything head-on! I hope you will be encouraged to go walking through the Word of God and join me in developing a “Scripture Mentality”.
With that comes an understanding that Satan is real and wants your soul! The spiritual warfare that is happening, both in the here and now and to come, is greater than any World War we will ever see! Physical wars on earth will always have an ending (sadly even in earthly physical death), but then what? Do you think that is final? Confidently I can say, not by any means! Our eternal destiny is what truly hangs in the balance for all of us. Only when we get past this life and into Eternity is when things are final. I hope I can shed some light on this here.
Let me start with this for anyone who is hurting. Are you struggling in your life with depression, stress, or heartache? Do you have inner turmoil that you’re a nobody? Do you struggle with your worth? Do you struggle with your identity? Do you struggle with your destiny or even your legacy? Do you feel like you’re always down and out? Is the weight of this life simply too much to bear or withstand? Let me share some Scripture with you as to why this is. Where does such despair come from? You see, Satan is the author of this in your life! Let Scripture speak!
I Peter 5:8 (ESV) – Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (Might this “someone” be you or I…of course it is!)
Ephesians 10:12 (ESV)- For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Our fight is with the forces of evil not with our fellow man or woman here in the flesh)
Jesus confirms to us about the devil in John 8:44 (ESV) …He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (Mine and your inner turmoil are the lies of the devil!)
If Scripture left us there with dealing with Satan on our own, we would be no match for him. But there is great news! For those who seek God, let Scripture speak!
Jesus says in Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) – Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. If you seek God and ask for his help, you will find him, and He will answer. (Read the Eternal Life page on this website!)
If we turn to God and lean on him, what promises does He have for us? Let Scripture speak!
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) – For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
James 1:2-8 (NIV)- Consider pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will recieve anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)- I can do all things through him (Jesus Christ) who strengthens me.
James 4:7-8 (ESV)- Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. In many times of struggle, I would recite this crying out to God. When I was struggling, I would simply say, “I submit to you God, I resist the devil, make him flee from me.” And because God’s word does not return to Him empty, the devil had to flee! …And he always did!
Put on the full Armor of God against Satan’s schemes:
Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)- Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against the flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
In my darkest days, those Scripture verses carried me as I prayed to our God for help. And they still carry me to this day. Scripture is full of the good news of God coming to our rescue when we seek him with our whole hearts. These are just a few of the Scripture verses that I encourage you to adopt in your journey to have a “Scripture Mentality!” Dig into Scripture, I have only shown you the surface! However, we can’t have Scripture Mentality without Jesus Christ first!
The Steps to adopting Scripture Mentality:
1.) Accept the gift of Salvation through our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Your journey starts here. God will lead if you will follow. (See the page on this website on Eternal Life. It is so important that it needed its own page! Without this step, we cannot be reconciled to our perfect, righteous, and just Creator!)
2.) Pray regularly….no matter where you are. Jesus teaches us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. With that being said, pray often bringing your thoughts, questions, fears, and hopes, and never forget your praises, to Him. Keep in mind the only One that can be with you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week is our God!
3.) Read Scripture. Adopt Scripture that speaks to you to remind you when Satan comes calling to try and devour you and defeat you in this life! Scripture has power and God’s word will NEVER return to him void (Isaiah 55:11). The Scripture above that I have quoted here are some of the ones I have adopted in my life and not once has Scripture failed God’s purpose in my life.
Develop Scripture Mentality and Have Character!