I have given you free will, but you must deal with temptation and discipline your thoughts.

I have given you free will, but I want you as My followers to discipline your thoughts and deal with the temptation in your mind with holiness.

When you accepted My offer for your salvation through the divine exchange that happened on the cross, you naturally want to be as godly as possible. You will have the desire to do things for the glory of My kingdom.

However, your faith-life may be forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Not All Thoughts Are Yours

Part of your faith journey is the struggle with your motives and doing things that you do not want to do. As you live in the flesh, it will be common for you to continuously wrestle with temptation. It is important for you to know that what happens in your mind is not solely your doing. Not every thought that comes to your mind is yours.

Flashes of thoughts and images in your mind do not mean you take hold of it, or that you agreed with it. Your mind is the battlefield of your spirit. Therefore, you can’t stop it from thinking things that are not pleasing, but you can choose how you deal with it.

King David was known for being a man after My own heart. He was a great king during his time, but he was not exempted by the many challenges you also face today. He consistently and desperately prayed to search his heart to see if there were any wicked ways in him.

Since this is no weekend war that you can walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours, you have to be intentional in seeking the truth and becoming what is pure before My eyes.

Choose Righteousness

Take everything that I have put out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. Put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the enemy throws your way. You have to be prepared. You’re up against far more than what you can handle on your own.

Rest assured that I will provide a way for you to escape and overcome these temptations. But you need to take all the help you can get, every weapon I have issued so that when it’s all over, you will still be on your feet.

Humility and repentance will also play a big role as you go through the process of pursuing righteousness. A repentant heart will receive My forgiveness that will give you a brand new hope.

Reading My word and constant praying will be indispensable weapons that will be valuable in your ongoing warfare. Do not forget to live for truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation. These are not just mere words but powerful when put into practice.

Do not worry, for I will be with you. My grace will be more than enough to sustain you in your everyday battle. I promise that I will work in you and through you for the fulfillment of My purpose.

Reflect on these words today