Freedom In Jesus: Jesus Frees Our Thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Series: Freedom In Jesus

Sermon Title: Jesus Frees Our Thoughts

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Date: August 5, 2018

 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

 

One of your greatest assets is a Spirit-filled mind.

One of your greatest antagonists is your own mind.

Satan wages war within the area of your mind.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.  (2 Corinthians 10:5, NLT)

Why have a healthy thought life (Rick Warren):

• Because my thoughts control my life
• Because my mind is the battleground for sin
  • Whatever gets your attention gets you.
• Because it's the key to peace and happiness

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.  (Romans 8:6, NIV)

 

3 choices for a healthy mind, a freed mind:

1. Feed my mind with truth
   • Jesus said you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.
   • We cannot afford to think thoughts contrary to the thoughts God has for us.
   • I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.  My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.  (Psalm 119:147-148, NIV)
   • We don't simply repent of an action; we change the way we think about something.  We embrace truth instead of a lie.
   • The best food for your mind is truth.
   • "Change the thoughts, and you change the person.  If today's thoughts are tomorrow's actions, what happens when we fill our minds with thoughts of God's love?"  -Max Lucado
2. Free my mind from destructive thoughts
   • Three places destructive thoughts come from:
     1. Flesh
        • ...but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.  (Romans 7:23, NIV)
        • If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (1 John 1:8)
     2. Satan
        • "Don't believe everything you think."  -Rick Warren
        • For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  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.  (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV)
        • How does Jesus see this?
        • A stronghold is a lie that I believe.
     3. World
        • Do not love the world or anything inthe world.  If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.  For everything in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.  (1 John 2:15-17)
        • What would you attempt for God if you know you could not fail?
3. Focus my mind on the right things
   • "Whatever gets your mind gets you."  -Rick Wareen
   • Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, bretheren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.  (Philippians 4:6-8)
   • 2 ways to focus your mind:
     1. Conversational prayer
     2. Concentrated focusing
   • 3 things that will make the most difference in your mental state:
     1. Think about Jesus
        • Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead.  This is the Good News I preach.  (2 Timothy 2:8, NLT)
     2. Think about others
        • Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  (Philippians 2:4)
     3. Think about eternity
        • Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  (Colossians 3:2)