SF741 - HOW TO GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR THOUGHT LIFE - 2 HOW TO MASTER YOUR MIND (2 Corinthians 4 3-6)
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Introduction
The root of our problem is our thought life
(Genesis 6:5 NIV) "The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart (the mind, will, emotion) was only evil all the time."
Ø Heart = “I know something in my heart.”
Our world has gone wild - the problem is the thought life.
We are bombarded from every possible angle
Ø The average teen from 7th - 12th grade listens to 10,500 hours of music. This is only 500 hours less than he will spend in class from 1-12 grade.
Most folks do not see the problem - why?
They are blind. (4)
They are not ignorant
Ø If they were education would be the cure
They are not impoverished
Ø If they were income would be the cure
They are impaired
Ø They are blind
Ø Therefore, only God can help!
We need to take control of our thought life…
How you think will affect how you live.
Story of Bear Bryant and the second string quarterback. It was the mind not the legs.
Two essential steps to gaining control of our thought life.
1A. The Carnal Mind must be Converted (4)
1B. We are born with a carnal (sinful) mind.
(Psalms 51:5 NIV) "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."
(Jeremiah 17:9 NIV) "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
2B. The Devil wants to blind your mind.
The brain and the mind are different
Ø The mind controls the brain
Ø Like a pianist and a piano. The piano is the brain!
Everything begins in the mind!
(Proverbs 4:23 NIV) "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
(Proverbs 23:7 KJV) "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…"
3B. What we need is regeneration not reformation.
It is not a matter of training
(Romans 8:6-7 NIV) "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; {7} the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so."
It is a matter of transformation
(Colossians 1:21 NIV) "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior."
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
(1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV) ""For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ."
2A. The Converted Mind must be Protected
1B. The converted mind may become corrupted by sin. (2 Corinthians 11:2-3)
We are to be sincere in our devotion (3)
Sincere = single-mindedness
Ø A divided mind will destroy our relationship with God
(James 1:8 NIV) "… a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
Being a Christians protects us in the battle; but it does not take us out of the battle.
2B. The corrupted mind must be conquered by God (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Satan seeks to establish a stronghold in your mind
A stronghold is a system of thought that will bring us into bondage.
Arguments = “imaginations”; logic
Ø Compulsive-ness
Ø Obsessions
Ø Fixations/Fears
Ø Bitterness/Resentment
Ø Uncontrollable lust
Ø Phobias/Distrust
We can conquer Satan’s stronghold (4)
Ø Our weapons include
The Word of God
Prayer/Repentance
The Blood of Christ; the Holy Spirit
Ø Our weapons are not…
Education; Psychiatry or psychology; Positive thinking
The only way you can tear down the stronghold is in the authority of Jesus! - He has all authority
3B. The conquered mind must be controlled by Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5b)
Satan (and self) must be dethroned, and Christ must be enthroned.
(Romans 12:1-2 NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. {2} Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
We must choose to give Christ control
Ø You cannot be neutral in your thought life
Ø No one can think two thoughts at one time
Ø You can choose your thoughts like you choose your friends.
Application
Your mind needs to be like an airport metal detector!
You can gain control of your thought life…
The carnal mind must be converted.
The converted mind must be protected.
Ø The corrupt mind must be conquered.
Ø The conquered mind must be controlled.
How to Gain Control of Your Thought Life
How to Master Your Mind - Part 2
Sunday, January 4, 1998 - 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
1A. The Carnal Mind must be _________________ (4)
1B. We are __________ with a carnal (sinful) mind.
(Psalms 51:5 NIV) "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."
(Jeremiah 17:9 NIV) "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
2B. The Devil wants to ____________ your mind.
Everything begins in the mind!
(Proverbs 4:23 NIV) "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
(Proverbs 23:7 KJV) "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…"
3B. What we need is regeneration not reformation.
It is not a matter of _____________
(Romans 8:6-7 NIV) "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; {7} the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so."
It is a matter of __________________
(Colossians 1:21 NIV) "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior."
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
(1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV) ""For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ."
2A. The Converted Mind must be _____________
1B. The converted mind _______ become corrupted by sin. (2 Corinthians 11:2-3)
We are to be sincere in our devotion (3)
(James 1:8 NIV) "he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
2B. The corrupted mind _________ be conquered by God (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Satan seeks to establish a stronghold in your mind
A stronghold is a system of thought that will bring us into bondage.
We can conquer Satan’s _______________ (4)
3B. The conquered mind must be ____________ by Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5b)
Satan must be dethroned, and ___________ must be enthroned.
(Romans 12:1-2 NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. {2} Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
We must choose to give Christ ______________