In this series we have considered the spiritual warfare that must take place for the Lord to gain our mind and our thoughts. To emphasize it once again, comparing Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, and Hebrews 4:12 shows us that the strongholds in our mind must be overthrown, our thoughts captured by Christ, and our intents put to the sword; for only then can we experience the transformation that comes from the renewing of the mind, and so prove “what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2).

As I have considered this matter myself, and for other reasons as well, I have recently felt quite convicted regarding this tearing-down work the Lord must do in us if we are to be useful to Him.

I have had to ask myself, Do any of us really appreciate the extent to which the Lord must do such a work in our being before He can bring us into His purpose? The theme of this series has been the part of His work that takes place in our mind, but the Lord must eventually deal with our emotion, our will, and even our entire being in the same way. This often involves passing through many difficult experiences, so we can learn who we really are in ourselves. (For one of my own experiences in this regard, see the previous Note, “Strongholds, Thoughts, & Intents” • 7)

We must ask as well, Do we really accept what the apostle Paul so boldly declared regarding himself—how he had died with Christ, and now lived only in Him and by Him? Can we declare with Paul,

I am crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me!
— Galatians 2:20

Calvinist theology, of course, strongly teaches the doctrine of “total depravity.” However, as G.H. Pember says very well,

It is one thing to subscribe to a historical belief in the depravity of the human race, and quite another to be humbly conscious of the appalling fact in our own person.
— The Great Prophecies, Volume 1, page 35, Note 2.

It is really so. But we can only gain such a self-knowledge through the Lord’s shining in our being. I recently sent out a Note that featured a quote from Watchman Nee, in which he stated, regarding one who is being dealt with by the Lord in such a way,

By seeing the glory of God, he is convicted of his utter depravity. Having obtained such self-knowledge, he, like the truly circumcised, will depend wholly on God’s Spirit and dare not depend at all on himself. Indeed, he will not only distrust himself but will deeply hate himself as well [see Luke 14:26]. Such are the workers who are in God’s hand and are used by Him.
— See “Watchman Nee: Enlightened to Serve the Lord.”

So, the Lord’s shining reduces us to nothing; and it is only then that we can truly be used by Him. As Martin Luther famously said,

God made the whole universe out of nothing, and if you’re willing to become nothing, then maybe He can make something out of you, too!

May we bring ourselves before the Lord, put ourselves upon the altar, and deeply open to Him, so He can have a way to shine in us and break us down, even to consume us, so that He may use us for the fulfillment of His purpose in our time.

Amen, Lord, have Your way in us!

Sent to our mailing list on
—  18 February 2026 —