I - Identify the enemy. It’s not what it often seems.
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”Ephesians 6:12 NLT
•How do we fight such foes?
•Where is the battleground?
“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT
Verse 5b in NIV “…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
II - The battlefield is in our minds
•What thoughts weigh you down?
•How about these thoughts-
“I’m not _____ enough.” How would you fill in the blank?
“They don’t like me”
“I’m not as ____ as they are.”
“…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
•How do we make those thoughts obedient to Christ?
•What does the Word say in response to those thoughts.
Talk back to those thoughts.
Think about what you’re thinking about.
Do you ever get vague feelings of dis-ease? It’s easy to follow those feelings.
1.Stop
2.Look
3.Listen
STOP- “I’m NOT going to think that thought!”
LOOK to Jesus. Ask for His help. Remind yourself the truth of His word.
LISTEN- ask Holy Spirit to speak truth to your spirit.
“See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”
Isaiah 49:16a NLT
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:4-5, 7 NLT
III - Offensive battle strategy
1. Worship
2. Praise
3. Giving thanks
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”Philippians 4:8 NLT
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10 NLT
ESV: “Outdo one another in showing honor.”
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Hebrews 10:23-24 NLT
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NLT
I Am Your Beloved - Bethel Music
For further study:
•“Crash the Chatterbox” book by Steven Furtick
•“Battlefield of the Mind” book by Joyce Meyer
Encourage each other and build each other up! Use the notecards provided to send someone you know an encouraging note.
Identify at least one area where your thoughts get out of control. Develop your own personal battle strategy.