(Taken from chapter 15 in the book "Prepare for War," by Rebecca Brown, MD, pages 231-238, Chick Publications, 1987. Dr. Rebecca Brown writes from 7 years experience helping deliver many, many people out of hard-core Satanism. One such person, Elaine, had been one of the top witches in the U.S. for 17 years.)

"He who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does." James 1:6-8.

I want to use this scripture to illustrate Satan's #1 most frequently and successfully used attack against Christians. The mind is a major battlefield. Satan attacks everyone in their mind more than any other way. This battle is unceasing, unrelenting and will continue as long as we live here on earth.

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they, have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2.

Let's face it, basically we are lazy creatures. I can tell you that when God first began bringing this to my attention it was one of the most difficult things He ever asked me to do. To get through medical school, I had to study for hours on end. I knew how to maintain absolute concentration on something, but I still did not control my thought life.

Everyone has a continual "thought life" going on in his or her mind. That is the way we are created. We are responsible to bring every one of these thoughts captive to Jesus Christ.

You must understand that Satan can inject thoughts into your mind just the same as a doctor can inject medicine into your body. Satan and his demons can do this from outside your body. They do not have to be inside you to do it. They can also do the same thing with emotions. Fear is Satan's most powerful weapon.

However, Satan and his demons cannot read your mind. Only God can know your thoughts and intentions. (See Hebrews 4:12-13 and Jeremiah 17:9-10). Therefore, as in the example Jesus set for us when He was here on earth in human form, we must rebuke Satan and his demons out loud.

Satan will put thoughts into your mind starting with the word "I" to make you think the thought was originated by you. For instance, a thought man come such as, "I sure would like to do ________________," something which you know is sin. As soon as you realize such a thought is in you mind, you need to attack the real source. Out loud say something like this: "Satan and you demons, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus Christ. I will not accept that thought. God away!" Then force yourself to think about scripture, recite a passage out loud, if necessary, to control your mind. Now let's go back to "Herman," our little double-minded man shown at the beginning of this chapter and look at some common attacks by demons in his life.

One of the most common attacks is on a person's assurance of salvation. Here, on Monday, Herman received Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

On Tuesday, he is up bright and early to read and study God's word as he knows he should.

But, look what happens on Wednesday. Herman oversleeps and doesn't have time to read his Bible. As he rushes out the door to work, the demon has a very good idea of his frame of mind.

Because he thought injected into Herman's mind started with "I" he accepted it as being his own thought. He accepted the doubts. The inevitable result is pictured on Thursday.

Herman is back to square one. I have had people talk to me who have been through the cycle over and over again for 15 years and more. Asking the Lord to save them one day, then accepting doubts as to their salvation, (or the fact that He is working in their lives),* and shortly, asking the Lord to save them all over again, (or doubtfully repeat their pleas for answers over and over).* Satan wins hands down. Because, they are "double minded" they cannot receive the Lord's blessing.

Now let's look at the solution to this problem.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6:12.

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they, have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."Hebrews 4:12.

1. We must recognize who our enemy is.

2. We must understand what we must do.

3. We need power to fight our enemy to win.

Now let's look at how Herman can use these principles to win his battle. We will pick up his story just after he left home on Wednesday morning late for work, doubting his salvation.

Herman followed the four steps:

1. He scrutinized his thoughts.

2. He recognized the source of the thoughts.

3. He directly rebuked the demon.

4. He brought his mind the powerful word of God.

If Herman would have stopped at just recognizing the attack, he would have lost. ALL of the steps must be followed.
* (Itallics supplied)