Beware of An Alternate Reality
Mind Manipulators are Already Here
The LORD spoke to my heart, “Guard your heart and mind above all else that you guard for this affects your living reality.”
I awoke this morning with The LORD’s Presence so near and tangible.
The sweet strength of the Holy Spirit communing with my heart was poignant for me as I lifted my thoughts to Him in simple gratitude and adoration!
It was a far cry from two days of experiencing a “suffocating mental grayness” that had been oppressing my thoughts, and threatening my inner communion with The LORD.
Guard Your Inner World
So what had happened?
Well, it began innocently enough… I was exhausted, coming off of a three week period of carrying a heavy client load, working with people going though some deep issues.
I had also been over- extending myself in farm duties, and so I was both mentally and physically depleted.
This particular afternoon, I just wanted a bit of “mental escape”.
I thought, “oh, I’ll just turn on YouTube and see if there is an innocuous video that can help me ‘catch my breath’ without involving any deep concentration on my part.”
Against my better judgement, a singer on a talent show caught my interest, and well, with the algorithms ready to “fill in the gap”, that quickly led to a couple of other videos in the same vein…
Then I thought, “enough of that!” and went to prep a meal….
However, as I went, one of the songs kept ‘playing itself on repeat’ in my mind. Being physically depleted, this mental intrusion was making it difficult for me to engage with Holy Spirit as I worked.
The next morning I awoke with the same song cycling again through my mind, and the “internal wrestle” began in earnest.
It was an early morning that required helping to get my husband up and off early, not allowing for my usual morning time with The LORD.
In pauses through the morning my thoughts were still being invaded by this song. Underneath the experience, I had a ‘sense’ that there was ‘something with an agenda’ in the music, purposefully wanting to stifle my deeper thoughts…
Throughout the day I could feel this mental “tug of war”.
This “unwelcome energy” was claiming territory in my “mental real estate”. I had freely given it permission, and it wasn’t going to go without a fight!
Finally I had a spot in my day when I could just go and be with The LORD in a prayer and worship session.
I confessed this error in judgment, and pled the Blood of Jesus over me, asking Him to remove the mental hold.
Replacing the “invading track” with pure worship, and the spoken Word of God I experienced a beautiful relief!
Typically I don’t indulge in cultural entertainment at all. I take my walk with The LORD quite seriously, and am quite purposeful with my time.
I don’t really have a desire to have that type of content filling my thoughts at all.
However, with one careless choice, and a curiousness as to “what was out there that was capturing people’s attention”, I had allowed a breach of my inner mental guard.
The impact of this energy upon my thoughts took me by surprise.
The whole struggle was very “eye- opening” for me, because, being very sensitive to these spiritual dynamics, I could feel the very real battle with this false reality wanting to eclipse the life of the Spirit within me.
This whole experience drew my thoughts to people that I work with, many of whom can’t help being daily immersed in this ‘alternate reality’ of social media, steadily inundated by its false constructs and underlying agenda.
As I was talking this whole thing over with The LORD, I wondered if I could offer some initial strategies to help us more intentionally navigate the daily demands of this alternate reality that has quite taken over our way of life in this culture.
Cultivate a Vibrant Inner Life
~ Identity
Know who you are in Christ, and the primary Kingdom that you are called to bring into a living reality within your life.
Set your heart daily and moment by moment to invest in this Kingdom worldview in all that you do.
Put on the New Self!
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 ESV.
“…put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV.
~ Intentionality
Be very intentional to set your goals and priorities, managing your time according to the inner standards that you set with The LORD.
Set some clear boundaries with your social media influences and practises.
Make sure that you are investing properly in a “living reality”.
Schedule daily worship, devotional and family/ fellowship time, as well as time for “joy and rest” in and around your work.
“My (child), be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life……
….… Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” Proverbs 4:20-23, 26 ESV.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of The LORD is.” Ephesians 5:15-17.
~ Inner world
Guard your eye and ear gates with a fierce protectiveness, not allowing any false reality to eclipse the life of Christ within you.
‘Fuel and furnish’ a rich inner life with The LORD through active engagement with the Word, guided by Holy Spirit.
Called to Be Holy
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct…..” 1 Peter 1:13-15.
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…..” Colossians 3:16a.
~ Infractions
Keep short accounts counts with The Holy Spirit, and your heart soft and responsive to His inner counsel and guidance.
When there is a breach because of poor choices, confess quickly and openly.
If you are aware of deeper patterns than plague your thoughts, your actions, or your lifestyle then come to The LORD for the necessary deliverance, inner healing, and re- patterning of your thoughts.
“I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to The LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” Psalm 32:5 ESV.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 ESV.
Wisdom’s Foundations for Life
Proverbs 3 contains some important foundational pillars for life.
In Proverbs 3:1-10 there are five essential couplets, each carrying an instruction followed by a promise.
1 “My child, forget not my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so shall you find favor and high esteem
Both in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in The LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 But in all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship The LORD and turn [entirely] away from evil.
8 It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow, and moistening to your bones.
9 Honor The LORD with your (capitol and sufficiency from righteous labors) And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So shall your barns be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My child, never despise the chastening of The LORD,
Nor detest His correction; 12 for whom The LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:1-12.
The Law of The LORD
“The law of The LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The Testimony of The LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The Statutes of The LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The Commandment of The LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of The LORD is clean, enduring forever; The Judgments of The LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [d]strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:7-14.
~ Shelley M Ed
Shelley M Ed/ LifeSetMinistries: Ordained Minister CMA/ working with Leaders and Ministry Houses: US/CAN/INT. Leadership development, counselling, and oversight.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom…. Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning” Luke 12:32;35.