Concussion Prevention

In recent months, the concussion discussion consistently made the headlines. It primarily effected the world of contact sports. Protocols were revamped and updated to ensure proper diagnosis, treatment, and adequate recovery time prior to players returning to the game. Controversy surrounded the Hollywood movie release of “Concussion” starring Will Smith because a spotlight was shined on the subject in the professional arena. Great attention was focused on concussions because of the seriousness of its effects.

Concussions result when injury is caused to the brain, perhaps from an unexpected blow to the head. They are a minor form of a broader topic of traumatic brain injury (TBI), with symptoms usually appearing temporarily and resolving over time. Common concussion symptoms manifest in four key ways:

• Visual: visual disturbances, sensitivity to light, seeing stars

• Auditory: ringing in the ears, sensitivity to noise

• Verbally: slurred speech, delayed response to questions

• Overall mental ability: dizziness/off-balance, confusion, memory loss, headache, temporary loss of consciousness (may or may not occur)

No small matter. It’s no wonder, then, that we are told by Paul in Ephesians 6:17 to take up the helmet of salvation. Helmets were in Paul’s day and still are today a vital defensive piece of the uniform designed to protect the head from injury. Obviously guarding the head from potential impact is important. It houses the control factor of the whole body, the brain.

The brain gives direction to the limbs and automatically regulates the heart’s beats and the lung’s breathing rate. It processes sensory information from our environment, literally making sense of sounds we hear, images we see, flavors we taste, fragrances we smell, and items we touch. It is also responsible for our reasoning ability, speech, and memory, among a host of other vital bodily functions.

So if the brain is injured, even mildly, the rest of the body cannot function at full capacity. Eyes don’t see clearly, ears don’t hear clearly, mouth doesn’t communicate clearly, and mind doesn’t think clearly. The rest of the body becomes an easy target for defeat.

We are instructed in spiritual warfare to take up the helmet of salvation. In the heat of battle, the mind is prime real estate for attack by the enemy. The bible is replete with specific references to the mind, thoughts, and the appropriate way of thinking. But one passage in particular offers very picturesque language as to what we can practically do to guard our minds.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Paul wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”.

Just like the brain directs the operation of the physical body, our minds dictate our actions. We only do what we do because our minds give leadership in that direction. It’s easy to see, then, why our minds would be the definitive target for satan. For he knows (as we should) that whoever controls the mind, controls the feet. That is, whoever controls the mind dictates and directs the actions.

Remember those 4 key areas of symptoms that could indicate a concussion is present? Those are some of the same ways satan attempts to inflict spiritual concussions, that is blows to the psyche that leave the rest of the body vulnerable for defeat.

• Visual: Bombard the eyes with images (some subtle, some overt) that contradict God’s standard of righteousness. Employ effective marketing that fuels discontentment with what we have while perpetually pursuing new-and-improved

• Auditory: Inundate the ears with human reasoning and opinions instead of divine direction. Drown out the voice of God with constant, strategic distractions like social media, addictive phone/video games, internet surfing, iTunes, binge-watching the hottest, newest TV series, or tuning in religiously to a favorite TV/sports program

• Verbal: Complaining during a trial instead of finding reasons to give thanks or discovering why God allowed it. Consulting everyone else’s opinions instead of communicating with God

• Overall mental ability: pride (thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think), memory loss (forgetting Who’s ultimately in control or Who delivered us before), confusion (living with no aim/purpose)

We are under constant attack. But let’s be very clear. If you are a Christian, the devil canNOT make you do anything. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection eternally defeated satan and rendered his weapons of sin powerless over us (Hebrews 2:14-15). Yes, Satan is powerless. His gun shoots blanks. He has been disarmed. He no longer has final authority over our actions. We do.

He can initiate the blow, but we have a helmet of salvation to absorb the shock.

But that won’t stop him from fighting. That won’t stop him from tempting. That won’t stop him from using the only tools he possesses, deception and persuasion, to entice Christians to forfeit the freedom Christ died to give us. According to Galatians 5:1 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Since we have been graciously rescued from the bondage of sin, don’t willingly submit yourself again to the worst taskmaster of all.

Paul reminds us that we are not powerless. In fact, the weapons we possess are effective, deliberate, powerful. Powerful for what? For the destruction of fortresses, speculations, and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God. Therefore, whatever satan presents to our minds by way of a temptation, persuasion, or enticement to do wrong, can be cancelled by the use of the helmet of salvation. How? TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.

God equipped us with a divine mental filter. We do not have full control over what images we may see, the quality of the content we may hear, or what others may say to or about us. We can’t always anticipate when temptations will be presented to us to sin. But we are not helpless. Paul instructs in military terms, to take EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE. That means we control what we think about.

Capture every thought. Detain it for questioning. Where did it originate? What is its intent? What are the long term consequences of this decision? Does it line up with what God has revealed in His word? Does it oppose what God has already said?  Is the result your destruction or is it meant to build you up? Will it glorify God? Our thoughts become our prisoners and we are not to release them, that is, act on them until we determine if they line up with the truth.

James 1 gives further insight on how to handle trials/temptations. In vs 13-16, he explains:

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

So, if a thought comes in your mind that entices you to sin, understand it did not originate from God.  God’s holiness prevents Him from being tempted to do evil. And God’s holiness precludes Him from prompting us to sin. Sin has its origin in satan. A thought inviting you to curse out your coworker, fraudulently submit a claim to the insurance company, cheat on your taxes, or skip today’s devotional time in favor of a new TV show, could not have originated with God.

Notice the language James uses next. But each one is tempted when he is “carried away” and enticed by his own lust. What happens? If we don’t capture the thought as Paul laid out in 2 Corinthians 10:5, we in turn get captured by it. Handcuffs, squad car, lockdown. Why? Satan is slick. He’s smart enough not to fish with bare hooks. Whatever he uses to lure us will be something we already have a propensity toward or desire to do anyway.

Lust is the illegitimate desire for something outside of God’s will. As that lust gets fed, first with an unchecked thought, then with an unchecked desire, a baby is conceived. And all that’s needed is time before the delivery of sin comes forth. Sin ultimately leads to death.

All that from a thought. Who would’ve thought?

Still think it’s a little farfetched for a thought to result in death?

• I’m sure the impaired teenager did too when he decided to grab those keys and drive home after a night of fun partying and drinking. Four innocent lives were ended that night as the result of an uncaptured thought acted upon.

• I’m sure the now incarcerated nurse thought it unrealistic that after several successful diversions of narcotics for a little cash on the side, he’d ever get caught. Yet, there he sits, with death to his freedom.

• I’m sure the pharmacist didn’t consider that acting on a thought to curse out her coworker who lied on her would result in a physical altercation, a charge for assault, a lawsuit for medical expenses, and termination of her employment. Yet, there she finds herself, experiencing a death to her career.

We can’t afford to allow our thoughts to go unrestrained. The results can be too costly.

But not only should every thought be captured and detained for questioning, but they should be told what to do. Namely, obey Christ. Paul tells us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. James teaches to be doers of the word and not merely hearers only (James 1:22). Bottom line, whether the thought originates from Christ or from satan, decide with your actions to obey Christ. Utilize God’s word as a filter to weed out what does not agree with it and act on the truth.

• I am angry right now. And Lord, You didn’t deny me the permission to be angry but instructed not to sin despite it (Ephesians 4:26). Since you acknowledge the emotion, but differentiate it from acting on it, help me do the same, realizing operating on my anger doesn’t accomplish Your purposes (James 1:20)

• I could really use some extra money right now, but Lord, instead of turning to illegal means to acquire it, help me be thankful for what You have already supplied and learn Your way of handling finances (Proverbs 21:20)

• I feel under-appreciated at work, but help me realize my reward comes from You. You are my ultimate Employer, so rather man acknowledges or not, help me do my best work to represent You well (Colossians 3:23)

Every time we take a thought captive and tell it what to do based on God’s word, we demonstrate God’s might and satan’s impotence. We remind the devil how powerless he really is.  We get to really see how strong we are in the Lord.

So don’t leave your helmet of salvation at home. Be ready at all times to arrest the thoughts that come to your mind and filter what doesn’t agree with Christ. Then move to reject any temptations to sin by obeying what Christ has said. You’ll be surprised how many spiritual concussions you’ll prevent.