This is the third article in a three part series. If you have not read the first two posts, it is highly recommended you read the first and second part before the final. 

Let’s get real practical while God is closing the gap between Bible World and Everyday Land in your life. When Christians choose to use the wrong weapons to fight these spiritual issues, they sometimes become dissatisfied and even critical with God (Proverbs 19:3). Just as we need to choose the proper weapons in warfare, we need to fight the right enemy in the battle. Paul goes on to say,

Romans 8:5 (ESV)
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (ESV)
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

The battlefield for our internal pain and problems usually passes through our minds. How we perceive our problems and challenges either promotes or diverts your emotional experience and pain. We can either react to the circumstances and cause more problems for ourselves, or we can take capture every thought and make it obey Christ. How we process those challenges and feelings is the key to using the spiritual weapons the Lord provided for us. How we respond to our trials and tribulations is the sanctioning work of the mind and the heart of man. We either react in sinful passion or we respond in biblical obedience.

Paul says the real spiritual battle that produces things like depression, anxiety, and anger is the hearts arguments and lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God. It may feel unorthodox to you at this moment, but we should always trust the Word of God to produce the work of God in us! Shift your focus from your pain and disappointments to God’s promises this week. Try it! Since you (in your new life) are a foreigner and an alien in this world (1 Peter 2:11-12), concentrate on faithfully utilizing God’s powerful weapons to fight your spiritual battles and stop relying on the professionals labeling your problems as something separate from your heart. Medicating symptoms never corrects a heart problem and will only prolong your pain and problems. As you transition from a dualistic worldview to a unified Everyday Land and Bible World, begin to live out a Bible world reality of life by following these few simple steps in faith:

1. The Bible interprets reality perfectly! Trust it so you can trust Him to help you. (2 Pet.1:3-5). You will never personally own a promise in Scripture that you haven’t found three ways to apply it to your life (James 1:22-25). Don’t just believe it, live it!
2. Do some heart and motive inspection (2 Cor. 13:5; Matt.7:5). What does your heart want or desire? Is it for the things of God, or is it for selfish ambition and motive? Confess your sinful hearts desires and repent of wanting your own way. Pray Psalm 139:23 every day and memorize Mark 7:23.
3. Never call sin, sickness! The feelings and emotions of our heart’s expressions are more than some nebulous psychological problem separate from our spiritual condition. It has always been a spiritual problem and always will be, so solve your spiritual problems with biblical truth as God expects you too and provided for you (1 Cor.2:10-13).
4. Seek godly counsel! You are not alone in this journey, so choose a mature bible-believing Christian in the church that will tell you the truth and help in the process to know God’s will in the situation (Ps.1:1-2; 1 Thess. 5:14).
5. Memorize Ephesians 5:10. This biblical truth redirects your thinking from self to God. It helps you understand that your response to life is more important than your circumstances around you.
6. Trust God for the results! Don’t use the Bible as a technique or method for being pain free. Special Revelation was meant to exalt the King of Kings! It is designed to bring us into a redemptive and humble relationship with our God! Do what is right without self-focused expectations and selfish thanklessness. God knows what you need, so learn to want what God wants for your life! (Matt. 6:31-33).

Living a life where the Bible defines you and directs you, is a life that exemplifies the
Creator and Savior that rescued you from yourself. The internal suffering and problems we face were redeemed at the Cross and reject the Everyday Land separation from the Bible World reality for Christians. Get serious about investing the Word of God in your life and you will see a serious change in your attitude and responses to life. May the Lord bless your journey!