Sunday, August 21, 2005

Victory occurs first in the mind

Israeli blogger Alisa gives an incisive quote, borrowing from Wretchard. She notes that 'defeat occurs first in the mind.'
Historically, most catastrophic defeats -- at Gaugamela or France in 1940 -- have not been consequent to inferiority in arms but to infirmity of concept. Defeat occurs first of all in the mind. By that standard the Global Caliphate is well on its way to imposing its will on Western politics which is intent, like some demented person, on rearranging objects on a green baize table.

The context of the quote aside for the moment [i.e. the intent of terroristic, militant Islam and necessity of strong minds and hearts to combat it], I'd like to highlight the integral principle: defeat occurs first in the mind.

Defeat occurs first in the mind.

This is a spiritual principle, vast in personal implication. As Jesus said, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." "As a woman meditates in her spirit, so is she." "Out of the heart flow the issues of life..."

When Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted by that powerful, dark spirit -- the archenemy of humankind -- the battle was framed in the mind. The issues were first conceptual, then concrete: an appeal to desire, in a wrapping of needs.

When that same, dark spirit tempted Eve in the Garden, the battle was the same: first for the mind, then for the deed which would imprison. "Did God really say?" he asked our first mother. "Then eat!" He defeated her conceptually, then trapped her physically.

Thus does temptation come: For the imprisoning of nation or person, defeat occurs first in the mind. Guard the mind, the heart! Give in on the plane of the spirit, and physical limitation will follow.

It is an impressive and foreboding principle, which is only mitigated by its corollary: victory also occurs first in the mind.

Victory occurs first in the mind.

Before every great victory is a great thought. Before every great creation is a great thought, a great mind enthralled and dedicated to purpose and freedom...to destiny.

Before this great creation, a Creator. Before this planetary physicality, spirituality. Before matter, energy. Before the world, the Word.

As the Book of Beginnings states: "And God spoke...and it was." Also, the psalmist: "By the word of the Lord were the heavens formed." And, the great prologue of John: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...all things were made by Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made." Or, the Book of Hebrews: "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."

Jesus won in the wilderness, facing down that dark spirit, triumphing over that archenemy of humanity...by the power of the Word, the true thought. "It is written..." Jesus said. So He claimed Divine order and intent -- the true thought, the spirit -- and so won cosmic victory that echoes for all time, for all persons of every place...

Victory occurs first in the mind!

The lesson is abiding: for those in need of freedom and place...dare to think that great thought, that true thought of divine purpose and calling. Let your mind be captured by the thoughts of God, and physical release will follow. The spacious place will be gained, and an echoing blow struck for freedom and purpose...in your life, and around the world, for those who need it most.

Alleluia!


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