Ordering Off the Wrong Menu

If you are going to feed your mind, order off the enemy’s menu and make it all-you-can-eat.

I do not have to tell you that life carries weight. We have all felt it. Some of us feel it pressing down right now—pinned under the weight of expectations and pressures. That weight might look like financial trouble, a difficult boss, a disconnect with your spouse, or a professional influence that suddenly feels insignificant. It might be the exhaustion of caring for a newborn, the chaos of a new puppy, or the stress of moving. For some, it is a combination of these—as if life is a sushi menu where we keep ordering rolls filled with doubt, insecurity, or loneliness.

For me, my sushi roll is made up of unexpected experiences, miscalculated plans, and “911” moments that demand quick thinking to protect my family’s future. I have learned the hard way and agree that growth happens in the places where we are most stretched, and you can probably guess where mine is. If not, here is a confession: I have never been one to seek out surprises. But life has had a way of throwing me enough of them that thinking on my feet has become one of my greatest strengths. Over the years, I have learned to pivot, to bounce back quickly, and to adapt when the plan changes—but it still takes work. It takes intentionality. It takes surrendering selfish thoughts so that I can truly meet the person or situation, in front of me, where they are. I have to step out of the center of the moment, remembering that the situation does not revolve around me. Once I remove myself, the person, the problem, and the circumstances become a shared experience—a partnership.

So, what does this have to do with our minds?

The answer is simple and has been known for centuries. Our minds are the most powerful component of our physical and spiritual lives. They are the gateway to how we live, act, and respond. They can bring healing and peace, or they can poison the very essence of who we are.

This tension we feel between the unexpected and how we respond—is not new. Scripture shows us that even those closest to Jesus faced the same battle in their minds, and Jesus knew this well. We pick up around the time period 30-33 AD. There are two stories that speak to how minds must have the helmet of salvation and keep every thought captive.

In Matthew 16:21–23, we see Peter literally questions the necessity of Calvary.

Golgotha, the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, means ‘place of the skull.’ In Latin, Calvaria shares this meaning and Calvary is used in the King James Version in place of Golgotha.

Jesus immediately recognizes that Peter’s thoughts have been influenced—not by God, but by the enemy. The same theme appears in John 13:2, where Satan plants the idea of betrayal into Judas’s heart.

Both moments show us that Satan often begins his attack at the level of thought. He knows that once our thinking is off track, our life soon follows. That is why Romans 12:2 warns us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Notice that the second half of this verse is in passive voice—meaning God Himself is the one doing the renewing when we yield to Him.

For leaders and in our personal lives, this truth is sobering. Leadership is not just about strategy and execution. It is about guarding the mind. Our thoughts are the passageway that enables us to create a strong strategy and execute it well, but they also shape our ability to lead with clarity and integrity. As leaders, it is our responsibility to have a sound mind, to be fully present in our conversations, interactions, decisions, and direction. How can we do this well if we are not fully aware of our thoughts? The pressure, priorities, and values of the world can subtly shift our focus from God’s purposes to self-preservation, personal gain, or fear-based decisions. Without spiritual protection, even strong leaders can become vulnerable to manipulation.

Paul addresses this in Ephesians 6:14–17, reminding us to “stand” by putting on the full armor of God: truth, righteousness, readiness from the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. These are not abstract virtues, but they are daily disciplines that keep our thinking anchored in truth when cultural currents try to pull us away.

Guard your mind daily. Keep every thought captive. Put on God’s armor before you step into the day. When your mind is anchored in truth, your leadership becomes unshakable.

Thought Provoking Questions

1. What voices, priorities, or pressures have the most influence over my thinking right now?

2. As a leader, how am I protecting my team from thought patterns that could undermine their integrity or unity?

3. When was the last time I surrendered my thoughts completely to God and asked Him to align them with His will?