CHOOSE THE LIFE
The Mind of the Life
Sunday, November 18, 2007
THINGS THAT HOLD US BACK…STRONGHOLDS
DEFINTION OF A STRONGHOLD…
For
though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the
weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish
strongholds. 5 We demolish
arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of
God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
GOD'S WAR
Like Paul, we are merely weak humans, but we don't need to use human plans and methods to win our battles. God's mighty weapons are available to us as we fight against Satan's "strongholds" (10:4). The Christian must choose whose methods to use, God's or the world's. Paul assures us that God's mighty weapons—prayer, faith, hope, love, God's Word, the Holy Spirit—are powerful and effective (see Ephesians 6:13-18)! These weapons can break down the proud human arguments against God and the walls that Satan builds to keep people from finding God. When dealing with the pride that keeps people from a relationship with Christ, you may be tempted to use human weapons and methods. But only God can break down these barriers.
PASSION CHANGES WHEN OUR MINDS ARE CHANGED
2 Corinthians
10:15-16 15 Neither
do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is
that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will
greatly expand, 16 so that we can
preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.
What’s
on our minds…
1. Ideas…beliefs
based on experience and worldview which can be slanted.
2. Images…concrete
and specific pictures or memories of life.
3. Feelings…passions
and desires that we experience.
The truth is
transformation of the mind can be a wrenching experience as we expose lies we
have believed for a long time.
16 "For who has known the mind
of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your
heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in
all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
John 14:1 (NIV)
1 "Do not let your hearts be
troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
Also look at
11 I am not saying this because I
am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know
what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in
want. 13 I can do everything
through him who gives me strength.
6 Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. 7 And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy--think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or
received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of
peace will be with you. temptation we will ever face is that of running our own
lives.
Genesis 4:2-5 (NIV)
2 Later she gave birth to his
brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of
the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn
of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look
with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are
you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If
you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is
right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must
master it."