Mind Craft : Strongholds

Mind Craft

if we change our thinking, we can change our mind

Look at life of Paul

learned to control his mind/thoughts

early on we see that he struggled

we can relate

Things that I want to do

Romans 7:19–20 ESV

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

He kept fighting for control of his mind and eventually overcame

While in a Roman prison

he was able to speak positively about Christ in the worst situation

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 ESV

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.

power in this context is translated from the same word that we get dynamite from

strong explosive power of God

to DESTROY stronghold

a fortified prision

prisoner locked by deception

our enemy shapes our thinking ONE LIE at a time

can’t trust

God no love

doesn’t hear prayer

no real intimacy

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

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

whatever is not in alignment with God’s word

WE DESTROY IT

take every thought CAPTIVE

so that it is obedient to Christ

we must learn to identify any thought that is not of God

and destroy it

our life is a reflection of what we think

our life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts

If you want to change your life… change your thinking

Proverbs

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

can’t- won’t

can in Christ- can

victim at someone elses hand - victim

overcome in Christ- overcome

overwheled by circumstances-

most of life’s battles are won or lost in the mind

about God’s truth about you and enemies lies

Think about what you have thought about lately

worried thoughts vs peaceful thoughts

children

future

health

job

peaceful without anxiety

Positive mindset vs negative

critical about people

find fault easily

life is hard and getting worst

think the best about people

God is working in my life

worldliness vs eternal mind

thinking about selfish desires

what is beneficial for the Kingdom

others first

your life is moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts

are you excited about where your thoughts are taking you?

there is a battle

marrage

joy or lack of

building a foundation today

2 things to work on

Identify the #1 stronghold that is holding you back

what lie has kept you from what God has for you

can’t be used by God

I am different - damaged goods

I can’t stop using

I was made this way- it’s who I am

when we have thoughts

our mind uses those thoughts to direct our actions & attitudes

builds from one another

Positive thought - dopamine

kid opening a Christmas present

guys calling you back for a second date

raise at work

FB like

the more you think a thought

the easier it is to think that thought again

do it enough and that becomes the default

Driving to church early on and went to hospital

you create the path that your thoughts travel on

when you have a negative thought

we must learn to stop that thought

take it captive

and create a new pathway

hiking and find a muddy trail we make a new one to go around it

eventually this will become the new trail if the old path stays muddy

you can create your God thoughts to become default

come home from work and kids are chaotic so you yell at them one day

do it everyday for a while and you will create a habit

to change that negative habit

come home and just stay outside....

come in and count to 10 & breath

give them all a hug 1st thing

One of my old habits was when I am stressed or overwhelmed

I eat ice-cream or if none is available then I find a substitute junk food

it was creating an unhealthy life

because it got to the point where stress didn’t even matter but I would just eat junk

now I am working to take better care of my body so since may this year I have been making new eating choices and I don’t even think about grabbing junk but will now go to my new default of healthy choices

maybe go for a walk when I am stressed

eat healthier foods

maybe you go to something else

substance

lust

buying spree

create new pathways

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

so identify the 1 stronghold that is holding you back

not lovable

not worth it

too much work

I’ll always be broke

or single

YOU CANNOT DEFEAT WHAT YOU CANNOT DEFINE

2. Name the truth that demolishes that stronghold

we will not travel that old unhealthy path

has anyone ever played hide and seek and never find someone?

headache story

locked in a prison and the lock on the door is just a lie

2 Corinthians 2:3–5 ESV

And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you.

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 ESV

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

captive

to arrest or to cease with a sword or a spear

remember the armor of God

all are defensive but one

helmet of salvation

breastplate of righteousness

shield of faith

belt of truth

shoes

sword is offensive

sword of spirit- word of God

Capture the lie with the truth of God’s Word

refuse to believe the lie

begin to believe God’s truth for your life

walk a new path

capture the wrong thoughts

there is a lie that tries to control me

that I won’t be good enouth

preach

meet with people — too many

too much ministry not enough family

too much family not enough mininsty

stretched too thin

can’t do it well

the biggest problem with this lie is that it’s salted with truth

truth is that on my own I am never enough

truth is that I AM NEVER ON MY OWN

God has given me the resources, power, time to do what God wants me to do

2 Peter 2:13 ESV

suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you.

2 Peter 1:3 NLT

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

when I am weak He makes me strong

I am fearfully and wonderfully made

the joy of the Lord is my strength

he will never leave me or forsake me

I am an overcomer by the blood of the lamb

I am not who the enemy says that I am

you cannot have a positive life when you have a negative mind

break the stronghold

John 8:32 ESV

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

If you are hungry for the truth raise your hand

pray over them

seeking God today

anyone

Romans 10:13 ESV

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

held captive to lies today

Luke 4:18 NLT

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,