Sermon Notes 7.23.23
July 20, 2023

Winning The Battle of the Mind

Peace Within Series Lesson 4

Sermon Notes

July 23, 2023

I. What Am I Thinking?

A. In warfare, it is critical to win the battle of the

!

B. Living in a perpetual state of anxiety is optional! (Philippians 4:4-7)

C.

times in the book of Philippians, Paul mentions your “mind” or your “thoughts.” (Philippians 4:8)

  1. The Greek word for worry is actually “

    mind.”

  2. The word “repent” literally means “change your

    !”

D. To manage anxiety, you must manage your thought life! (Proverbs 4:23)

E. Satan wants to “hack” your

life!

F. You and I have the responsibility and capacity to be the “air traffic controllers” of our

airports!

F. Repentance is more than just stopping old behaviors. It involves thinking new thoughts. You cannot get people to live in a new way if they still think in an old way!

H. Reflection/Discussion Question: In his message, Keith suggested that “Satan wants to “hack” our thought life.” What’s your reaction to that statement? Why would Satan want to “hack” our thought life? In what areas of your life are you most vulnerable to Satan “hacking” your thought life? Have you noticed any consequences to Satan “hacking” your thought life?

II. How Do We Allow God to Transform Our Minds?

A. We must believe that we can change the way we

! (Ephesians 4:17-24; Romans 12:2)

  1. We may need to change our minds about the possibility of changing our minds!

  2. We need to say to Satan: “You are not the

    of me! And you don’t get to land in my mental airport anymore!” (James 4:7)

  3. Reflection/Discussion Question: By God’s grace and through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to change our thinking. As Paul says in Romans 12:2, we are to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Can you identify some examples of this happening in your life or the life of a friend or family member? How did this change in thinking happen and how did it impact your life or the life of another person?

B. We can challenge

-producing thoughts!

  1. The Holy Spirit helps us think about what we are thinking about! Consequently, we can learn to

    our thoughts, instead of letting our thoughts capture us! (II Corinthians 10:3-5)

  2. You will think anxiously if you don’t think accurately about God!

  3. Reflection/Discussion Question: The good news is that we can “capture our thoughts and make them obedient to Christ!” (II Corinthians 10:5) What are some ways or strategies that you use to do this? What has helped you to grow in this spiritual discipline of “capturing your thoughts?” How has engaging in this practice helped you to better manage your anxiety and worry?

C. We can choose what we will

on!

  1. We can decide what gets to land in our

    airports! (Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:2)

  2. You get to decide what is on your mental playlist! You can shape what you focus on, but what you focus on will shape you! (Isaiah 26:3)

  3. Thank God that we can

    God!

  4. Reflection/Discussion Question: Look back at Philippians 4:8 and personalize that passage to fit your current life. Rather than focusing on a variety of unhelpful and anxiety-producing thoughts, try to identify things from your life that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Now, think on these things.