Free Power over the Enemy: Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds by John Osteen Page B

think a thing as to do it, so I might as well go ahead and give myself over to this sin.”
    Does some thought hold you strongly today? Be aware of the tricks of the enemy. The Bible says, “We are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). So don’t fall into his trap. The Bible says to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
I MAGINATIONS B RING F EAR
    It can be as basic as this. One night as I lay in bed waiting for our son to return home, I was bombarded with thoughts that came thick and fast. “He has had a bad wreck.” “He will never make it home.” “You have seen him alive for the last time.” On and on they came. Without realizing it, I let these thoughts linger, and I began to have
imaginations
. I could see him in that wreck. I couldsee the ambulance rushing to get to him. I could see him bleeding. Fear hit the pit of my stomach.
    Then I suddenly caught on to what was happening. I was listening to the thoughts of the enemy. He wanted to torment me. I began to quote the Word of God! I told the devil what God had said about my household and me. I told him the promises God had made to me. I rebuked the bad thoughts and replaced them with the Word of God. I began to say what God had promised in His Word.
    The fear left, and peace, like a gentle dove, came into my heart. I was so happy! As I rearranged my pillow to enjoy a good night’s sleep, I heard the front door open. It was my son, safe and sound!
    When you repeat out loud the lies Satan puts in your thoughts, you become fearful and live in torment. But when you accept God’s thoughts and promises and repeat them out loud in faith, they bring peace to your heart.
    The Bible is full of God’s thoughts. Replace every thought the devil tries to force on you with one of God’s thoughts.

O VERCOME THE D EVIL W ITH G OD’S W ORD
    Remember, the devil is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44). He cannot tell the truth. If you will take just the opposite of what the devil has told you, you will know the truth!
    The way we practice this in our home is this; when the devil comes along with a thought to create fear, we say, “Why, thank you so much, Mr. Devil, for telling me that, but I know the truth! I’ll just take the opposite of what you say and know the truth about the situation.” Then we replace that thought with a scripture to back it up!
    If the devil says you are not saved, replace that thought with the scripture, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). Confess that boldly, and the lie will leave.
    If the devil says you are going to die early in life and leave your family, shout loudly what David said, “With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation” (Psalm 91:16).
    If the devil says you will never get well, cry out joyfully, “By His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
    If the enemy tells you God will not forgive your sin or heal your particular disease, replace that thought with one of God’s precious healing, delivering thoughts: “Bless the L ORD , O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the L ORD , O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:1–3).
    If the thought comes that you are rejected and destitute, replace it with the scripture, “He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer” (Psalm 102:17).
    When you repeat out loud the lies Satan puts in your thoughts, you become fearful and live in torment.

    If the devil drops the thought into your mind that you have a sexual obsession or problem, don’t let fear grip you. Replace that thought with God’s Word. Say, “The Bible says that ‘if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new’ (2 Corinthians 5:17). I