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Repeat after me: I will never EVER speak anything negative about myself from my own mouth! (Say this aloud). Now it’s on you to do it! From Pastor Andy McQuitty’s sermon on 01.23.11: “Satan is a real and powerful being. He’s not the guy in a red suit, tights and carrying a pitchfork, and he would like nothing more than for us to think of him as superficial and blasé. Make no mistake, Satan is the SOURCE of war … against God and against His creation.”
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Have you no-ced that the condi-on of your mind changes? One -me you may be calm and peaceful, and another -me anxious and worried. Or you may make a decision and be sure about it, then later find your mind in a confused condi-on concerning the very thing you were previously so clear and certain about. Because it seems that the mind can be in so many different condi-ons, it is helpful to know when our minds are normal. Our minds are not supposed to wander or be upset, confused, full of doubt and unbelief, or anxious, worried and tormented by fear. Since we know that we can do something about our thought life, we can also learn to deal with abnormal thinking paFerns immediately upon their arrival.
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When a person receives Christ as his/her personal Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in them. Our minds are not born again when we are saved, they must be renewed. Satan will aggressively fight against that. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and reveals His wisdom to us. Imagine two people in a room together. One is trying to whisper a secret to the other. If the room is filled with a loud noise, even though the message is being communicated, the one wai-ng for the informa-on will miss it simply because there the room is too noisy to hear. Unless they are really paying close aFen-on, they may not even realize that they are being spoken to.
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We can pray with our spirits, which lead us to pray with our minds, or vice versa. When we make ourselves available to God for prayer, the mind aids the spirit and they work together to get the knowledge and wisdom of God to us in a way that we can understand it. Your mind and your spirit work together. The mind should be kept peaceful, but be alert. Isaiah tells us that a mind stayed on the right things will be at rest. This becomes impossible when it is loaded down with things it was never intended to carry. Think it over: how much of the -me is your mind normal?
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Another condi-on of the mind that is abnormal is for it to be wandering all over the place. An inability to concentrate indicates mental aFack from the devil. Many people have spent years allowing their minds to wander because they have never applied principles of discipline to their thought life. An inability to concentrate could be the result of years of leVng your mind do whatever it wants to, or it could be symptoma-c of other things like vitamin B deficiency or extreme fa-gue. To “guard your steps” or “keep your foot” means to keep your balance – don’t allow yourself to get off track. How many -mes do we “zone out” in church, class or conversa-ons? When you allow your mind to wander, you might miss something that you really needed to hear. This is a prime example of Satan’s mind war. To overcome this hurdle, download the sermon podcast!
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Wondering leaves a person in indecision, and indecision causes confusion. Wondering, indecision and confusion prevent us from receiving from God, by faith, the answer to our prayers or needs. As Chris-ans, we are to believe -‐ not doubt or wonder. Do something posi-ve instead of wondering about everything imaginable.
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We have discovered that wondering and confusion are rela-ves. Wondering, rather than being definite in thought, can and does cause doubt and confusion. Wondering, doubt and confusion are undesirable ac-vi-es for us as Chris-ans. Think about it – if you’re constantly going back and forth and never making a decision that s-cks, you’ll be double minded and uncertain about everything. Be decisive – make a decision and s-ck to it … also known as the “C” word: commitment. Singles are notorious for agreeing to something then changing their mind to opt for the ”beFer, best deal.” A very wise, respected master of wisdom once said, “Do not try, do … or do not.” -‐ Yoda
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“Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, le;ng the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.” -‐ James 1:22 MSG Joyce Meyer tells a story about blessing an associate. “How can I bless her?” Her eyes fell to a new red dress – s-ll in the bag. “Surely this is a coincidence” she thought. Several weeks went by and she was thinking about her associate, and again her mind went to the red dress – s-ll in the bag, unworn. She realized that God had been telling her what to do, and she was deliberately ignoring it. She relented, gave the associate the dress, and immediately felt a sense of peace.
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Reasoning is one of the “busy ac-vi-es” in which the mind engages that prevents discernment ad revela-on knowledge. There is a big difference in head knowledge and revela-on knowledge. Reasoning is not the normal condi-on in which God wants our mind to reside. Be aware that when the mind is filled with reasoning, it is not normal.
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We usually talk about doubt and unbelief together as if they are one and the same. Actually, although they can be connected, the two are very different things. The same dic-onary notes that one of the two Greek words translated as unbelief is always rendered “disobedience” in the RSV transla-on of the Bible. As we look at these two powerful tools of the enemy, we see that doubt causes a person to waver between two opinions, whereas unbelief leads to disobedience. We need to be able to recognize which one we’re dealing with.
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Doubt is not something God puts in us. The Bible says that God gives every man “...a measure of faith.” When God tells us to do something, the faith to believe it or do it comes with the Word from God. He gives us the ability to believe we can do it. It’s not that we don’t have faith, it’s just that Satan is trying to destroy our faith with lies (an endless supply of fiery darts).
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Abraham waited for God to fulfill His promise, but it didn’t happen overnight. He and Sarah had doubts, and that hatched a carnal plan for offspring. She “gave” her Egyp-an maid Hagar to Abraham, and Ishmael is the result. Things didn’t go well, and 13 years later, Sarah had Isaac. They were enemies then, and the results can be seen in the modern day conflict between Israel & Arabs. In -mes of spiritual warfare, don’t make your decisions based on your thoughts or feelings, but check with your spirit. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, lest you sink or be overcome by the storms of life. Faith is a gin from God doubt is a choice...it is Satan’s warfare tac-c against our minds. Genesis 16-‐21 … full story of Abraham & Sarah, Hagar & Ishmael, Isaac Romans 4:18-‐21 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many naHons, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. MaFhew 14:24-‐32 “…and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of liVle faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
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It’s impossible to have joy and peace while living in doubt and unbelief. The double-‐minded man is unstable in all his ways and never receives what he wants from the Lord. Make up your mind that you will not be double-‐minded...don’t live in doubt. God has a great life planned for you. Don’t let Satan steal it through lies! Instead, refute arguments and theories and reasoning and every proud and lony thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and...lead every thought and purpose away
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Anxiety and worry are both aFacks on the mind intended to distract us from serving the Lord. The enemy also uses both of these torments to press our faith down, so it cannot rise up and help us live in victory. Some people have such a problem with worry that it might even be said that they are addicted to worrying. If they don’t have something of their own to worry about, they will worry over someone else’s situa-on. Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches….” (John 15:5). How long can a branch survive if it is broken off the vine? When we abide in Him, we enter the protec-on and rest of God. The life of abiding is peaceful, ressul and fruisul life. Enter in and enjoy your life while God works on your problems! “It’s absolutely impossible to worry and live in peace at the same Hme.” – Joyce Meyer
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Webster defines worry as “to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret, to seize, esp. by the throat, with the teeth and shake or mangle, as one animal does another.” Satan aFacks us with worry because he knows that if he can get enough of the wrong things going on in our mind, we won’t be as effec-ve and accomplish the things that God has told us to do. If we know the Word of God, we can counter the aFacks of the enemy. These Scriptures encourage us when we’re concerned about whether or not God will come through and meet our needs. He lets us know that we don’t have to set our minds on money or wondering how to take care of ourselves...He will take care of these things for us...He has promised never to fail us or forsake us. Do your part, but don’t try to do God’s part. The load is too heavy to bear, and if you’re not careful, you’ll break under the weight of it.
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Passivity is the opposite of ac-vity. It is a dangerous problem because the Word of God clearly teaches that we must be alert, cau-ous and ac-ve -‐ that we are to fan the flame and s-r up the gin within us. A passive person thinks they’re doing nothing wrong because they are not doing anything. Therein lies the problem! Take the example of physical exercise. You know what you need to do to get healthy – maybe even doctor’s orders, but the more you think about it, the more you don’t want to do it. The longer you put it off, the worse you feel and you REALLY don’t want to do anything. All you can see is the nega-ves (like geVng sweaty or being sore) instead of the posi-ves that will result from taking care of yourself. Making the decision to act is the easy part. Taking ac-on is where the real work comes in.
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You will not change your behavior un-l you change your thoughts. Don’t just “empty” your mind and give Satan a foothold – fill it up with God’s Word. Failure to exercise “the will” will ul-mately result in the believer’s defeat. “Behavior never lies.” – Richard Flint You must have backbone and not just wishbone! Many believers want the good life, but they are passively siVng around wishing that something good would happen to them. Onen, they are jealous of others who are living in victory and are resensul that their own lives are so difficult. If you desire victory over your problems, you must be ac-ve -‐ not passive. Right ac-on begins with right thinking. Don’t be passive in your mind. Start today by choosing right thoughts.
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Much torment comes to people’s lives because of judgmental aVtudes, cri-cism and suspicion. Rela-onships are destroyed by these enemies. Once again, the mind is the baFlefield. Thoughts -‐ just “I think” -‐ can be a tool the devil uses to keep a person lonely. Being judgmental, opinionated and cri-cal are three sure ways to see rela-onships dissolve. People do not enjoy being around someone who needs to voice an opinion about everything. Do you always see what is wrong instead of what is right? Judgment and cri-cism are evidence of pride, and that’s a biggie. When the “I” in us is bigger than it should be, it will always cause problems. If we have an exaggerated opinion of ourselves, we look down on others and value them as “less than” we are.
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It’s entertaining to people watch. We form opinions of people by their looks & behavior. Where it crosses the line is when you suddenly become the authority in other peoples’ business. How would you feel if a neighbor or co-‐worker suddenly started telling you how to live, dress, do your job, etc.? Just because you have an opinion – and we all do – doesn’t mean that you have to express it. MaFhew 7:1-‐2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
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We look at ourselves through rose-‐colored glasses but look at everyone else through a magnifying glass. We make excuses for ourselves, but when we see someone else doing the same thing we are without mercy! We can’t change others -‐ only God can. We can’t change ourselves either, but we can cooperate with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to do the work. Step one is to face the truth the Lord is trying to show us. John 2:23-‐25 “Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover FesHval, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any tesHmony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” We have the Holy Spirit in us to remind us when our thoughts are going in the wrong direc-on. Suspicion cripples an en-re rela-onship, and usually destroys it. We need balance in human rela-onships, and should use wisdom and discernment in our dealings with others. While we don’t have to throw our lives open to everyone we meet, we don’t have to look at everyone with suspicion either.
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Words and thoughts are like bone and marrow -‐ so close it is hard to divide them (Hebrews 4:12). The things we think about onen come out of our mouths, and some-mes make us look foolish. Jesus said that He came in order that we might have and enjoy life. Begin to operate in the mind of Christ, and you will step into a whole new realm of living.
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NEXT WEEK… Now that we’ve made a decision to choose right thoughts, we’re going to look at the types of thinking that would be considered “right” according to the Lord. If we want to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, we must begin to think as He did. Think that’s impossible? The Bible tells us that we have the mind of Christ -‐ a new heart and spirit.
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