Thanksgiving: A Spiritual Weapon (Karen Youth Conference)

Quote

This may sound strange, but I want to begin with a quote from a demon—at least, a fictional one. (CS Lewis)

CS Lewis was a brilliant writer and literary scholar

Best known for his works The Chronicles of Narnia.

The quote comes from one of his books called the screw tape letters.

Written from the viewpoint of demons

It consists of a series of 31 letters/chapters in which Screw-tape, an experienced demon, instructs his nephew on effective strategies for tempting the human being assigned to him and making sure this human continues on a steady path toward destruction.

The idea of the book is to give us an insight into some of the strategies the devil uses against Christians.

Quote - “It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.” CS Lewis

Spiritual warfare on the mind is a reality most of us are probably familiar with

Satan the father of lies and he set on destroying as many people as he can. if he can’t destroy you, then he wants to deceive you. If he can’t deceive you, then he wants to discourage you.

There are thoughts, impressions, and temptations that come into our minds, that have demonic origins

The theme for this year’s youth fellowship is “Putting on the Armor of God” as found in Ephesians 6.

We need the armor of God because there are many battles that we fight that can’t be fought with physical weapons, but with spiritual ones.

And so Ephesians 6 gives us our spiritual weapons,

Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14)

Represents honesty, integrity, and the truth of God's Word.

It's foundational—just as a belt secures a soldier's armor, truth holds everything together

Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14

Symbolizes right living and standing in God's righteousness, not our own

It protects the heart—our will, emotions, and inner life—from spiritual attacks.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)

Refers to being ready to share the gospel and walk in peace.

These give stability, direction, and the readiness to move with purpose in God’s mission.

Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

Faith is trust in God's power, promises, and presence.

It extinguishes “all the flaming arrows of the evil one”—doubt, fear, temptation, accusations.

Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)

Guards the mind against lies and discouragement.

Knowing you're saved helps protect your thoughts from despair or deception.

Sword of the Spirit — The Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)

The only offensive weapon in the list.

It’s the Scriptures, used wisely and accurately, like Jesus used in the wilderness.

But going back to this quote….I want us to think about something: Quote - “It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.” CS Lewis

After reading that, the question came to me:

If there was one thought or attitude or way of thinking that the enemy would really like to keep out of my mind and off my lips, what would it be?

For me it’s gratitude.

The devil would love to keep out gratitude/thanksgiving

What do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving? (Let people respond)

I want share what I’ve observed about thanksgiving according to the scriptures and in my own experience

Because here’s what I’ve found: Thanksgiving may not sound like a tough word, like courage, or honor, perseverance, discipline Thanksgiving is a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare

Typically when we think of spiritual warfare we think things like praying in tongues, casting out demons, boldly proclaiming the truth of the gospel even in hostile situations.

Thanksgiving more sounds like a polite attitude.

Your parents told you growing up, be thankful.

But thanksgiving is much more than an attitude....it really is a powerful shield.....a force field of spiritual defense, and this is why the devil wants to keep it far from our mind, and off our lips.

I would categorize thanksgiving under the Shield of faith, because thanksgiving really is an exercise of trust.

Everytime you practice gratitude, you are raising up the shield of faith.

It acts as a protection or a guard from some of the most common vices and temptations that we face.

I’m going to highlight 3 ways in which thanksgiving is a Shield

But first let me say something about the foundation of thanksgiving.

Because we have to get the foundation right.

Foundation of Thanksgiving

The Bible has quite a bit to say about Thanksgiving, and believe it or not, it doesn’t limit it to just the fourth Thursday of November.

When we talk about thanksgiving, we aren’t just talking about an emotional response to a temporary circumstance....we are talking about a deep rooted gratitude.

Gratitude means expressing thankfulness and being appreciative of life daily even when nothing exciting happens.

Thankfulness according to the Bible is not just and act of the will, it’s a posture of the heart.

In the Old Testament of Scripture, the concept of thanks is brought up over 100 times, and the Hebrew word used the most times for thanksgiving is ydh (yah dah)

This word is also translated as praise, confess, and acknowledge.

In other words, the ultimate expression of thanksgiving for the Christian is directly tied to God…and not just what He has done, but who He is.

You see this echoed in the New Testament as well.

In the New Testament the concept of thanks is brought up dozens of times, and most of the instances are related to the word Eucharistia (You-Har-Issteea)

Eucharist: In 1 Corinthians 11, we’re told that “on the night when [Jesus] was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it.” The Greek word for “thanks” is εὐχαριστία (eucharistia).

The act of remembering Christ’s sacrifice through eating bread and drinking wine was known as Eucharist— it wasn’t just about remembering, it was an act of thanksgiving.

Here is why this foundation is important:

Our thankfulness is not just tied to the temporal things God has given us.

house, family, friends, job, provision, etc...

If everything in my life was taken from me (Like we read about in the book of Job), does that mean gratitude goes with it.

As a Christian, I can always find my thanksgiving in these unchangeable truths:

The goodness of God’s character

The sacrificial love of Christ for me

My secure and eternal future in heaven with my Heavenly Father

Thankfulness is a posture of the heart that is built firmly on the foundation of those truths.

Which means this....there is no-one sitting in the room today that can say, I don’t have anything to be thankful for

So with that knowledge, let me give you 3 ways in which thanksgiving is not just a good posture of the heart, but is a weapon.

This is not an exclusive list, these are the things that I’ve seen most affected in my life as I’ve tried to make Thanksgiving a posture of the heart.

Thanksgiving as a Shield

Thanksgiving is a shield against arrogance

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, said, “Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow.”

It makes sense, because pride wants to make me, myself, and I the center of my own and others attention and affection.

But thanksgiving directs attention away from myself rather than towards myself.

Psalm 7:17 “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.”

It pointing outward and upward.

It’s hard to be proud when you are truly thankful

I remember when I came face to face with my pride on my internship in 2012.

Story of Pride on internship (You Too guy)

Preaching

Evangelizing

Model

“Just set your heart to worship me”

I can’t will pride out of my life even if I want to..but I can practice thanksgiving, even if I don’t want to

And there is something God begins to do in an arrogant heart when you set your heart towards thanksgiving and worship.

There’s a powerful story in the book of Daniel that shows how dangerous pride can be—and how thanksgiving can be part of our recovery from it.”

Summarize the story:

King Nebuchadnezzar looks over Babylon and says, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”

Immediately, God humbles him. He loses his mind and lives like an animal.

After “seven periods of time,” his sanity returns—but so does his humility.

His first response? Thanksgiving.

“I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High…” (v. 34)

Point to make:

The turning point wasn’t when he tried to fix himself, but when he looked up in gratitude and praise.

Thanksgiving brought clarity, humility, and restoration.

Like Nebuchadnezzar, when we stop saying, “Look what I built,” “This is never good enough” and start saying, “Thank you, Lord,” pride loses its grip.

If you want to guard against arrogance, practice thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a shield against anxiety

This generation is considered the most anxious generation to ever live.

We live in a society where we’ve never had so much and never had it easier, yet we are more stressed out than ever before.

We have constant reminders put before us about the things we don’t have, but could have.

Philippians 4:6-7 “6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Thankfulness shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have.

Thankfulness shifts our focus from what could be, to what is and what will be.

There is something so important about incorporating thanksgiving with your requests.

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

If your whole prayer life consists of requests, which are good, it is still missing something.

Scientific Evidence

Article from Berkeley University

Mental health professionals have had to confront this burning question: How can they help clients derive the greatest possible benefit from treatment in the shortest amount of time?

Recent evidence suggests that a promising approach is to complement psychological counseling with additional activities that are not too taxing for clients but yield high results. In our own research, we have zeroed in on one such activity: the practice of gratitude.

A 2008 study found when we practice gratitude, we activate the brain's reward center, releasing dopamine and serotonin, which are neurotransmitters associated with feelings of happiness and well-being.

Benefits of gratitude include

Reduces anxiety and depression

More empathy

Stronger interpersonal relationships

Stronger immune system

Improved sleep quality

Better stress regulation

One of the most well-known stories in the Gospels shows us the contrast between anxiety and peace—and it’s a moment that speaks powerfully to us today.

Summarize the story:

The disciples are in a boat. A furious storm hits.

The disciples panic: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

Meanwhile, Jesus is asleep on a cushion.

He wakes up, calms the storm, and says: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Point to make:

Jesus’ peace wasn’t circumstantial; it was rooted in trust in the Father.

Thanksgiving is one of the key expressions of trust.

We thank God in advance because we believe He’s good—even in the storm.

When we practice gratitude in the middle of chaos, we are choosing the posture of Jesus rather than the panic of the disciples.

Maybe the storm around you isn’t going anywhere just yet—but your heart doesn’t have to match the chaos. Thanksgiving is how we let the peace of God guard us even while the waves are still crashing.

If you want to guard against anxiety, practice thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a shield against deception

As I was preparing this sermon, I noticed a pattern in several areas of scripture, and I think this is so important for our generation…and here it is....there are several places in Scripture where deceit or temptation were mentioned in proximity to thanksgiving.

Let me share a few of those Scripture:

Colossians 4:2 “2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

This word watchful is the same word Jesus used with his disciples in Matthew 26:41 “41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Romans 1:21 “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-21 “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.”

Colossians 2:6-8 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit,

I believe that thanksgiving is mentioned in proximity to deceit and temptation because it is a form of prayer that acts as a protection against it.

When I don’t have anything to be thankful for I become cynical

Cynicism is an inclination to believe that people or God are motivated purely by self-interest.

Cynicism was what deceived Eve in the Garden

Genesis 3:1-5 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.””

Recap the story:

The serpent shifts Eve’s focus to what she doesn’t have.

He introduces cynicism: “Did God really say?”

He implies: “God is holding out on you.”

Gratitude could have shifted her entire mindset.

Point to make:

Imagine if Eve had responded, “Why would I eat from that tree when I’m already surrounded by so many blessings?”

Gratitude guards us from the lie that “God is withholding.”

Thankfulness is a refusal to focus on the one thing I can’t have—and instead rejoice in all that I do.

Cynicism begins when we forget to give thanks. Gratitude reminds us: God is good. God is generous. And what He has already given me is more than enough.”

If you want to guard against deception practice thanksgiving.

And there is so much more that could be said about Thanksgiving as a weapon.

Weapons

Thanksgiving is a shield against discontentment

Thanksgiving turns what we have into enough, and more.

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6 “godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Thanksgiving is a shield against entitlement

God has already given me everything in His Son (John 3:16)

How can God owe me anything, when He has already given me everything?

Thanksgiving is a shield against unforgiveness and bitterness

Those who have been forgiven much, love much. Luke 7

When we recognize what God has forgiven us of, and we live life in gratitude for that, it gives us the capacity to live with the same forgiveness for others.

Thanksgiving is a shield against fear

I have my future eternal life and treasures secure in Christ, in a place where moth and rust can’t destroy. Matthew 6:20

I have a future and hope Jeremiah 29:11

Thanksgiving is a shield against despair

I have the promises of God for this life that I can hold on to

His grace is sufficient for me 2 Corinthians 12:9

His mercies are new every morning Lamentations 3:23

God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power love and a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7

Thanksgiving is a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare

Has the enemy kept gratitude from your mind and lips?

Let me close with a few practical steps we can all take in making thanksgiving a greater part of our life.

Application

Step 1 - Identify It

Identify and write down the unchangeable truths that work as the foundation for thanksgiving. Let me give you some of mine:

Sonship

Romans 8:15 - For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Grace

2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Love

Romans 8:37-39 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Faithfulness

Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Purpose

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Once you do that, identify all the small things in life that you can be thankful for.

For me it’s my family (wife and kids), my job, my provisions, my home, my friends, etc…

Ask yourself this question: What would it feel like if all you had left today, were the things you thanked God for yesterday?

Sit with that feeling, and then make a list of all the losses you would experience.

Begin thanking God for those things on a regular basis

Step 2 - Pray It

If your prayers have primarily been centered on requests, consider starting your prayers thanking God for things rather than asking for things.

Practice I do with William/Walker in the mornings

Step 3 - Express It

Not only do we pray it upward and express it outward.

Express gratitude towards others

Take time to thank people who have helped you or made a positive impact on your life.

Who’s someone in your life you’ve never properly thanked?

Encourage them to text or write that person today.

Write it down and keep a gratitude journal

Be intentional about ways you can express thankfulness.

Closing Prayers

Spend some time thanking God

Pair up with someone and thank God for them, their gifts, any way they have been a blessing to you, etc…

Admit, Believe, Confess

Salvation Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus I believe you're the son of God. I believe that on the cross you took my sin, my shame, and my guilt, and you died for it. You faced hell for me so I wouldn't have to go. You rose from the dead to give me a place in heaven, a purpose on earth, and a relationship with your father. Today Lord Jesus I turn from my sin to be born again. God is my father, Jesus is my savior, the Holy Spirit is my helper, and heaven is my home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sources

https://overviewbible.com/thanksgiving-definition-bible/

https://www.worldvisionadvocacy.org/2019/11/14/20-bible-verses-about-thankfulness-to-god/

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain

https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/