“Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.” —Pastor Craig Groeschel
- Everything begins with a thought.
- What we think leads to how we feel.
- Our thoughts determine our destiny.
The enemy’s strategy: Convince us to believe lies, rather than the truth.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” —Genesis 3:1
The only power the enemy has over our lives is the power we give him by believing his lies.
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. —John 8:44 NASB
Instead of allowing him to push us toward lies, train your mind towards truth.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him… —Matthew 4:1-3
Train your mind to focus on God’s truth.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. —Philippians 4:8 NLT
“…meditate on these things.” —Philippians 4:8 NKJV
meditate – to engage in mental exercise; to focus one’s thoughts
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. —Psalm 119:15-16
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. —Psalm 143:5
What stronghold is holding you back?
What truth demolishes that stronghold?
- Write it. Think it. Confess it. Til you believe it.
A little bit of time over a long period of time will create a renewed mind.
Discipleship Guide
Let’s Connect
- What are some of your most tempting distractions?
Let’s Talk About It
On a daily basis, one of the most important battles we fight is the battle of the mind. Everything begins with a thought and your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts. Satan’s tactics are to convince us to believe lies rather than the truth. Meditating on God’s truth will renew our minds and transform our lives. Identify the lie. Focus on God’s truth. Name it and write it down. Think it and confess it until you believe it. A little bit of time over a long period of time will create a renewed mind.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Genesis 3:1-5; John 8:44; Matthew 4:1-11; Philippians 4:8; Psalm 119:15-16; Psalm 143:5
- Which part of the message made an impact, caught your attention or challenged you?
- Read Genesis 3:1-5, John 8:44 and Matthew 4:1-11. Satan’s tactic is to convince us to believe lies rather than truth, and to get us to doubt God and His Word. Discuss with your group what it would look like for you to combat the enemy’s lies with the truth of God’s Word.
- Read Psalm 143:5 and 119:15-16. What would it look like to do what these verses say? What are some of the things that distract you the most from keeping your thoughts focused on truth? What are some practical ways you can meditate on God’s truth?
- Read Philippians 4:8. Pastor Gregg gave several steps to help you learn to control your thoughts and change the way you think. What steps will you take to fix your thoughts on things that please God?
- Okay, now take action. Write the truth, think it, confess it, meditate on it until you believe it!
Take a Step
- Memorize Philippians 4:8. Identify a lie you’ve believed and find a Bible truth to combat it. This week, when you’re tempted to believe the lie, confess God’s truth.
SOAP reading:
- Day 1: Proverbs 19, 1 Peter 5
- Day 2: Proverbs 20, 2 Peter 1
- Day 3: Proverbs 21, 2 Peter 2
- Day 4: Proverbs 22, 2 Peter 3
- Day 5: Proverbs 23, 1 John 1
- Day 6: Proverbs 24, 1 John 2
- Day 7: Proverbs 25, 1 John 3
Here’s My Prayer
God, we need Your help. It’s not easy changing the way we think, and we can’t do it without Your power. Holy Spirit, give us the strength to speak God’s Word to the lies and negative thinking in our brains. Jesus, thank You for Your grace that heals and restores us as we seek You. In Your mighty name, amen!
Heavenly Father, thank you for miraculously bringing us to The Willows property. Please increase our faith and courage as we focus on You and move forward together in the process of taking possession of The Willows.