Your biggest enemy probably isn’t who you think it is. It’s not Satan, and it’s not the world around you. Your biggest enemy is you. 

The battle inside of us will destroy our lives if we let it. Paul says this of himself, “I do not understand what I do; for I don’t do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate” (Romans 7:15 GNT). If you’re honest, you’ll agree with that statement. 

I’ve found that there are weapons of self destruction that ruin more lives than anything else: shame, uncontrolled thoughts, compulsions, fear, hopelessness, bitterness, and insecurity. Being a Christian doesn’t make us immune to these self-destructive behaviors. But we have a new power in the Lord to overcome them and break the bondage that binds us.

The answer isn’t found in modern culture or in a book. It’s found in a person—Jesus. In Romans chapters 7-8, Paul declares there is the power we need that will help set us free from these self-destructive tendencies.

This week remind yourself of the power of Christ to set you free.Many of us are saved, but we don’t act like it. Instead, we’re filled with shame, uncontrolled thoughts, and compulsions. We’re not living like we’re truly set free.

Romans 8:1 tells us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (NIV). Paul doesn’t say that we’ll never sin once we become a Christian. Instead, he tells us God doesn’t judge us when we do because Jesus took our judgment on the cross. You don’t have to walk around in shame. Jesus has already paid for the cause of our shame.  Stop doing the wrong and receive God’s grace.

Throughout this week ask the Holy Spirit to help you have better thoughts.God will answer this prayer. He wants to give you better thoughts. Paul writes in Romans 8:5: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires”.

We have two choices with our mindset. We can think about our lives the way we normally do—or we can choose to think about it how God does. We call this the principle of replacement. If you’re serious about changing your thoughts, don’t resist negative thoughts. Replace them with positive thoughts from the Holy Spirit.