I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. —Romans 7:21-25 (NLT)

Uncontrolled Thoughts - Ask the Holy Spirit to replace my thoughts

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. —Romans 8:5-6 (NLT)

Compulsions - Use the power of NO

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. —Galatians 5:16 (NLT)

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all. —Romans 8:9 (NLT)

Fear - Remember you are in the family

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. —Romans 8:14-16 (NLT)

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. —2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

Hopelessness - Focus on the long term, not the short term

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

Bitterness - Remind myself that God is in control

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. —Romans 8:28 (NLT)

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? —Romans 8:31b (NLT)

Insecurity - Trust that God will never stop loving me

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

Discussion Questions

1. Saying “no” sounds simple, but why do we struggle with doing the wrong thing even when we know better? Share an example.

2. Why is it so important to replace our thoughts instead of trying to fight them?

3. Do you struggle the concept of God being in control when you are in your “bad times”? Share an example.

4. How does focusing on the long term help you in a short term problem?