"Disciplined Thinking"

June 29, 2025

FBC Baxley

am service

________________________________________

Welcome radio and online guests…

Vision Statement: FBC Exists to Live & Share the Love of Jesus Christ, through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry & Evangelism.

** I want you to know, GOD LOVES YOU!

*It’s ok however you’ve entered, we are all here seeking God’s will, way and plan.

Some rescued, redeemed, Some Saved….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: “Disciplined Thinking: Training Your Mind in Godliness”

Scripture Passage:

2 Corinthians 10:3–5

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

1 Peter 1:13–16

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

PRAY-

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Three Points:

I. Captive Thoughts: II Cor. 10:3-5

II. Clear Fous: I Peter 1:13

III. Consecrated Living I Peter 1:14-16

Main Takeaway: To keep the mind of Christ, we must take every thought captive and live in holiness.

INTRODUCTION: The Battle Between Your Ears

In 2024, a Barna study revealed that 58% of practicing Christians admitted to struggling with intrusive or negative thoughts daily.

Among young adults, the number jumped to 74%.

We are in a mental war—and many are losing it quietly.

Not with fists, not with bullets, but with beliefs.

A recent story went viral about a college student who—despite growing up in church—deconstructed her faith not because of science, but because of TikTok theology.

A thousand little untrue thoughts slipped through her mind’s gate until Christ’s voice was drowned out by doubt, confusion, and sin.

The battlefield is the mind.

And like soldiers without armor, too many believers are mentally undisciplined.

But God’s Word has given us weapons.

Today, we will see that to keep the mind of Christ, we must take every thought captive and live in holiness.

I. Captive Thoughts – Confront and Correct Ungodly Thinking (2 Cor. 10:3–5)

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds..."

Paul uses military language—“warfare,” “weapons,” “strongholds,” “take captive.”

The Greek word for “take captive” in verse 5 is aichmalōtizō (αἰχμαλωτίζω) – it means to “take as a prisoner of war.”

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God.”

This means our mental discipline is not passive.

It's not just about avoiding bad thoughts—it’s about confronting them with truth.

Paul knew that false ideologies and proud opinions that set themselves against God had to be demolished.

Historical Insight:

In Corinth, Greek philosophers glorified human reasoning.

Paul isn’t against thinking—but against thinking that exalts itself above God.

He wanted believers to engage their minds in submission to Christ, not culture.

Application:

Every Christian must become a mental gatekeeper. When a thought enters your mind, ask:

Is this thought true?

Is it pure?

Does it honor Christ?

Rotary…Four Way Test

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

II. Clear Focus – Prepare Your Mind for Action (1 Peter 1:13)

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action…”

The phrase in Greek is anazōsamenoi tas osphuas tēs dianoias (ἀναζωσάμενοι τὰς ὀσφύας τῆς διανοίας) – literally “gird up the loins of your mind.”

In ancient times, men would tuck their long garments into their belt to run or work.

Isaiah 52:10 (message) 10 God has rolled up his sleeves. All the nations can see his holy, muscled arm. Everyone, from one end of the earth to the other, sees him at work, doing his salvation work.

Peter says: Roll up the sleeves of your mind!

This is an image of intentional readiness.

The Christian mind is not lazy. It's alert. It's trained.

“...being sober-minded…” – The word nēphō (νήφω) means “clear-headed, self-controlled, watchful.”

T.W. Hunt Quote:

“The more spiritually mature a person is, the more disciplined his thinking becomes. He will have learned to reject that which is not of Christ and to dwell on that which leads to obedience.”

Application:

You can’t live focused if your mind is fragmented. Take inventory:

-Are you distracted constantly? -Is your mind cluttered by media, drama, or fear?

-What inputs shape your focus daily?

Train your mind like an athlete. Focus requires discipline.

III. Consecrated Living – Be Holy as God is Holy (1 Peter 1:14–16)

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance…”

The phrase “do not be conformed” echoes Romans 12:2.

It refers to outward behavior shaped by inner thought patterns.

Holiness doesn’t begin with your hands. It begins with your head.

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct…”

The root word for “holy” is hagios (ἅγιος) – “set apart.”

Holiness isn’t just morality—it’s identity.

When your mind is set on Christ, your conduct follows.

Peter is telling believers: Live differently because you think differently.

Historical Insight:

Peter wrote to scattered believers in a pagan culture where holiness was mocked.

Sound familiar?

Today, we must learn to live consecrated lives not in caves, but in a confused and corrupt culture—with minds shaped by truth.

CONCLUSION: The Disciplined Mind is the Christlike Mind

We are not at peacetime mentally—we are in war.

And if you let the world shape your thinking, your life will drift from holiness.

But when you take thoughts captive, prepare your mind for action, and pursue holiness, you begin to think like Christ.

CLOSING LIFE APPLICATIONS

Install a Mental Filter.

Set a standard for what gets your attention.

Filter your thoughts through Philippians 4:8 – whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—think on these things.

2. Train Daily with Scripture.

Make Scripture your sword (Eph. 6:17).

Meditate on it—not just read it.

Scripture is not for decoration; it’s for transformation.

3. Practice Holiness in Habits. Evaluate your routines—what you watch, what you scroll, who you listen to.

Discipline is developed through daily decisions, not just Sunday sermons.

Finally:

In a world that glorifies distraction, God calls us to devotion.

In a culture of compromise, He calls us to consecration.

Will you discipline your mind for godliness?

Will you train your thinking in truth so your life reflects the holiness of Christ?

The war is real.

But the victory is yours—when you take every thought captive to obey Christ.

-Pray

-Invitation