“I drove off in my Volkswagen bus and felt like every demon in the state of California got into the bus with me and were saying, ‘What if you're wrong? What if you're wrong?’ As I listened to that, I went into emotional chaos.”

This is part of a story I tell in my upcoming book and course, Fully Convinced, about the doubt I experienced immediately after Wendy and I committed to marrying each other. I wanted to talk to one of my four mentors at the time, but none were available, so out of desperation (and a little wisdom), I chose to go to war with my thoughts. 

“I decided to go to our church’s prayer house to pray. I started rehearsing all the reasons why I had believed the Lord said yes. I was talking to God and myself loudly. (Sometimes we have to get violent against lies.) As I passionately recalled my ‘God story’ for why I had said yes, I broke off the doubt and experienced peace and confidence to get married. I attached faith to my decision to marry Wendy, and forty-plus years later, I am still so glad I did. This situation helped me build the habit of fighting my double-mindedness by rehearsing what I believe I’ve heard or been told.” 

A young leader named Timothy battled doubts and fear. The Apostle Paul admonished him to overcome feelings of fear and doubt in 2 Timothy 1. “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).  Earlier, Paul had let Timothy know that the key to winning his internal battle was the prophecies spoken to him. “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18).  We learn from this verse:

• 
  It is war - Warfare is not pretty, but it is intense and messy.. During these spiritual battles, we won’t be focusing on how our hair is looking or whether we look cool to others. 
• This warfare is about what we believe - The question is this: will we believe what God has said (prophecies) or will we believe something else?
• It is not a warfare against people  - Timothy was not trying to convince other people of truth of these prophecies, but he was to try to convince himself. The strongholds he was to aggressively attack were in his own mind. 
• It is a warfare no one can win for us - Yes, we benefit from community and family encouraging us, but all of us must personally kill the “Goliaths” in our own minds. Jesus was alone in the wilderness warring and David was alone when he encouraged himself in the Lord when circumstances looked hopeless and everyone was against him (1 Samuel 30:6).
• The weapon of warfare is God’s revealed word to us (prophecies) - Jesus defeated the devil’s lies in the wilderness by speaking “it is written” words (Matthew 4:1-11). Ephesians 6:17 tells us  to“: Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
• This is a “good” warfare -  A good warfare is one that we win, and the first place we win is in our thinking. 

I realize there are seasons of resting and trusting (when we are not in a fight mode), but I believe all of us will have times when we need to “have it out” with the lies trying to move us into passivity, fear, doubt, regret, timidity, unforgiveness, insignificance, and double-mindedness. This is what Paul told Timothy and he is also telling us through this verse.

So how do we practically war a good warfare with the prophecies previously made concerning us? Here are six steps to do this: 

1. Commit your life to do all for the glory of God. 
2. Affirm your commitment to live submitted to the truth set for in scripture. 
3. Identify scriptural promises and words that have been specially made real to you. 
4. Identify prophetic words spoken over you that have been especially made real to you. 
5. Identify decisions you have made because you believe God led you to do so. 
6. Then come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and speak to the Lord with “You said” statements. 

Here are “You said” statements I have made:: 

• You said, ‘All things will turn to good.” Thank you that this is turning that mistake I made to good.
• You said, ‘I will complete that which you started.” Thank you that you are completing what you have started in my family. It is happening right now.
• You said, “Steve, everywhere you go revival will break out.” Thank you, Father, that this is true and increasing.
• You said, “I’ve got this!” concerning a matter that I want to see breakthrough in. Thank you that you have it and will cause your promises to manifest in it. 
• You said, “I will meet all your needs, Steve, according to my riches in glory.” Thank you that you are meeting all my needs; my emotional needs, my financial needs, my relational needs, and more.
• You said, “Steve, I have not called me to fail but to succeed.” Thank you that I am a success and will see your kingdom advancing and succeeding all around me. 
• You said I am to lead this ministry. I did not choose this, but you appointed me. Lord, this ministry is yours. It is your idea, not mine. Thank you that you are building your church and the gate of hell will not prevail. 

These are examples of what to war with. This warring won’t look the same for everyone but we all will fight with what we believe God has said to us. 

The battle is truly in our minds, and we are equipped to win. Although at times it may seem difficult, it a good warfare because we are destined to win. 

For more on this topic, I suggest my book You’re Crazy If You Don’t Talk to Yourself.