Issue 2 | 2023

TRANSFORMED LIVES
I ENVISION IT AS A GAME OF CAPTURE THE FLAG—
WE CHASE DOWN OUR THOUGHTS, CAPTURE THEM,
AND BRING THEM TO GOD’S TERRITORY.
in my head, and I became confused about
who I was. I went into protection mode. I
shut down, withdrew from others, and became
sullen and silent. When I did speak,
my words were critical and negative and
hurt those around me.
Finally, after nearly 24 hours, I came to
my senses and realized I was being held
captive by my thoughts. I was agreeing
with Satan’s lies and rejecting God’s truth.
It was like I was saying to Jesus, “No! You’re
wrong about who I am. Your Word isn’t
true.” Wow!
I had to decide—would I continue to
agree with Satan and let his lies consume
me, or would I apply 2 Corin thians 10:3–5
to my thought life and bring the battle to a
victorious end? I chose the latter.
I took out a journal and began to write.
I reminded myself that God does not give
me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and
a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). There was
no way my fearful and confusing thoughts
were from God.
Next, I wrote down each thought and
analyzed it to see if it was a lie or the truth.
For example, I penned, “I am rejected.”
Then I searched the Bible and wrote
down what God says: “I am accepted by
Christ and belong to Him.” (See Ephesians
1:6.) Then I took the thoughts that didn’t
line up with God’s truth and rejected them.
It wasn’t long before this exercise pulled
me out of my stinkin’ thinkin’. God’s neverchanging
truth always brings me to a place
of freedom.
Of course, Satan has brought other
attacks since then. He won’t stop until
Jesus comes with perfection and eternal
peace. But that’s okay, because I’m winning
the war. With the Holy Spirit’s help,
I more quickly recognize when I’m being
attacked. And since I’m fighting with godly
weapons, Satan’s strongholds don’t stand
a chance.
You don’t have to live in mental torture.
It’s time to silence that condemning internal
dialogue. It is not from God.
Start analyzing the thoughts in your
head. Ask, “What is the story I’m telling
myself?” Break it down and determine if
it is based on a lie or the truth.
The better you know God’s Word, the
more quickly you’ll be able to recognize
the truth. That comes through diving into
God’s Word and applying it to your thought
life every day.
It takes time, but it’s the best investment
you can make for yourself. Truth holds
the key to your freedom, and according
to John 14:6, Jesus Christ is the way, the
truth, and the life. Get to know Him, and
you’ll find everything you’ve ever needed
or desired.
Satan won’t stop trying to defeat you.
But as you continually capture the misbeliefs
and make them obedient to Christ,
you won’t be imprisoned anymore.
Stop calling yourself names like failure,
dummy, stupid, idiot, and loser. Every time
you do, it’s a slap in Truth’s face, and it impacts
your life. Choose to no longer think
of yourself as a sinner, prisoner, addict,
or terrible person. You are a child of God.
Romans 6:16–18 teaches that we are enslaved
to whatever we listen to and obey.
If you believe and act on the lies of Satan,
then you are his captive. Trust me; he is
not a kind taskmaster.
But if you’ll submit your thoughts to
God’s truth, you will find freedom (John
8:32), and you will experience God’s will
for your life, which is good and pleasing
and perfect (Romans 12:2).
SHERIDAN CORREA is a biblical counselor who
is trained in trauma-informed care. She’s a wife,
mother of two teenage boys, singer, and avid runner
who has been radically changed by Jesus. She
joined the Victorious Living family in 2022 as digital
content manager.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 02 / 2023
29