Why do we behave irrationally?

The more we think a thought, the easier it is to think that thought.

Our mind is a battlefield.

“As a man thinks in his heart, so does he become.”
-Proverbs 23:7

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

What comes into our mind, comes out in our life.

If you don’t control what you think, you’ll never be able to control what you do.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT

The best way to guard your heart is to be intentional about what comes into your mind.
Thought —> Action —> Experience

It’s not just how we have been thinking, but what we pour into our mind… That trains our mind to keep believing the wrong thing, or trains our mind with truth.
• Music
• Shows/Movies
• News
• Social Media/TikTok
• Video Games

It’s not just do with your mind, it’s what you put in it.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
-Philippians 4:8 NLT

I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
-Psalm 119:15 NLT

I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.
-Psalm 143:5 NLT

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
-Psalm 119:11 NLT

Eastern Mediation is emptying your mind…

Christian Meditation is filling your mind with truth and intentionally focusing on that.

“Your Focus needs more focus.” - Jackie Chan

We need to uncross some wires and focus on what is true.

When our minds drift, where do they typically drift?
The best, true stuff?
Or negative, lies, worst stuff.

An Exercise that isn’t easy…

You ready?

1. What stronghold is holding you back?
2. What truth demolishes that stronghold?
   (Spiritual Truth from God)

Write it.
Think it.
Confess It.
Until you believe it.
(Again. Again. Again.)

Creating new neuropathways in our mind.

Struggling to Know God’s Will:
My life belongs to God.
Daily I seek him and daily he directs my steps.
I know his voice and he leads me to his perfect will.

Lack confidence:
My confidence is in Christ and Christ alone.
Because his Spirit lives within me, I can do everything he calls me to do.

Fighting lustful thoughts:
I’m not a slave to lustful thoughts.
Because God has purified my mind, I will honor him with my eyes and thoughts.
My God is faithful.
Even if I’m tempted, he will always give me a way out.

Find Comfort in Food:
When I’m stressed, I turn to God, not food.
I come to Jesus because he is what I need.
In Him, I find strength and comfort.

Battling Worry:
Because of Christ, I’m not anxious about anything.
I cast my cares on God because he cares for me.
I have the peace of God dwelling in my heart and ruling my mind.

Write it.
Think it.
Confess It.
Until you believe it.

If you can’t control what you think, you’ll never control what you do…

For those of you who are in CHRIST…

• You are strong and mighty. You have the same power that raised Christ from the dead dwelling inside of you. You are a weapon of righteousness in a world of darkness.

• You are not your past. You are not what you did. You are who God says you are. He says you are forgiven. He says you are redeemed. He says you are free.

• You are not a hostage to your unhealthy thoughts. The weapons you fight with are not the weapons of this world. You have divine power to demolish strongholds.

• You have the mind of Christ directing your thoughts. You have the word of God guiding your steps.

• Worry is not your master. You trust in God. His peace guards your heart, guards your mind, and guards your soul in Christ Jesus.

• Your God has not given you a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind.

• The Lord is your helper. You will not be afraid.

• You are not a slave to your habits. You are not a prisoner to an addiction. You have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the kingdom of God’s light.

• Your God will bless you abundantly, so that in all things, and at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.

• Nothing can separate you from God’s love. Not death. Not demons. Not the present nor the past. No power on earth will ever separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Most of life’s battles are won or lost in your mind.

• The Battle Rages But You have Won the War…

Ten Scriptural Truths About Myself:

I know God loves me and that He has a great plan for my life. (Jer 29:11, Rom 8:28)

Yes, I have faults, but God’s working on me, changing me day by day; while he does, I can still enjoy my life.
(Phil 1:6)

I realize I’ll always have issues to deal with, so I won’t be discouraged when God convicts me of areas that still need improvement. (Phil 1:6)

Everybody has weaknesses, so I’m not a failure because I’m not perfect. (Joel 3:10)

I want people to like me, but my sense of worth isn’t dependent on them. No, Jesus, has already proven my worth by dying for me. (Rom 8:5)

I refuse to be controlled of manipulated by others. Even if they reject me I’ll survive, for Jesus promised never to leave me nor forsake me. (Heb 13:5)

No matter how often I fail, I won’t give up, because God is with me to strengthen and sustain me. (Micah 7:8, Is 40:31)

I like myself. I don’t like everything I do and I want to change, but I refuse to reject myself because God loves and accepts me as I am. (Rom 7:15-20, Rom 8:1)

In myself I may be nothing, but in Christ I’m everything I need to be. (Phil 4:13)

10) I matter to God. My life makes a difference. (Luke 12:6-8)
(Regardless the challenge…Phil 4:13)