“Mind Set” – Part 1 (Strongholds)
Text: Colossians 3:2-5 / 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Colossians 3:2-5 (NKJV)
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Spiritual warfare cannot be fought by just repeating someone else’s actions or phrases; we must understand with our MINDS what we are doing and why we are doing it if we are going to be effective!
Satan has three main weapons against the church:
The most obvious weapon is an active one called SIN.
The second weapon is a passive one called ACCUSATIONS.
Satan is described as the accuser of the brethren (Job 1:6-12, Zechariah 3:1, Rev. 12:10)
Even though Jesus said He would never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b), Satan screams that we have been forsaken because we are too bad for God to love or use.
Hebrews 13:5b (KJV) for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5b (AMP) for He (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let [you] down, [relax My hold on you]. Assuredly not!
Satan uses accusations to generate anxiety strong enough so that we will come out from under the mighty hand of God (1 Peter 5:6) – that’s why Peter admonishes us to cast all our care upon the Lord (1 Peter 5:7).
1 Peter 5:6-8
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Satan’s objective is to paralyze us like an animal that has fallen into a trap (1 Peter 5:8-9); we know when this weapon has been successful because despair and fear take over.
The third weapon is the most dangerous because it lies dormant until activated!
The church in general is aware of the first two weapons because of Bible teaching and because their effects – spiritual death or paralysis – are visible motivators to get help.
The third weapon – STRONGHOLDS – is like an unseen landmine waiting to detonate.
Satan’s treacherous character as a deceiver (John 8:44, Rev. 12:9).
The MIND is the access gate Satan uses to get at your spirit!
Ed Silvoso: “A spiritual stronghold is a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable situations that we know are contrary to the will of God.”
HOW DO HUMAN BEINGS ACT WHEN THERE IS A STRONGHOLD IN THEIR MIND?
Strongholds expose a severe inconsistency between what we SAY and what we BELIEVE.
THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS THAT A STRONGHOLD HAS
AND SATAN SCREAMS, “DON’T YOU DARE BELIEVE IT! LOOK AT YOUR SITUATION!”
When Christians know the will of God and do otherwise, Satan is able to blackmail them.
HOW DO YOU PULL DOWN A STRONGHOLD?
Strongholds are to be destroyed, not just repainted or covered up with wallpaper!
There are four steps to be taken to accomplish this, all given in James 4:
James 4:7-10
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
1. SUBMIT TO GOD.
Determine the will of God by God’s Word, then choose to believe it and to obey it.
Tear down the partition that has allowed you to store two opposing truths in your mind.
2. RESIST THE DEVIL.
The most effective way to resist him is to die to your old self, putting yourself out of his reach.
Quote the Scripture to him: “It is written!”
3. DRAW NEAR TO GOD = AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU.
We need to draw close to Him because our “speculations” have allowed us to drift away.
Cross the threshold of fear and rejection – Jesus promises that He will draw near to you!
4. CLEANSE YOUR HANDS = AND PURIFY YOUR HEARTS.
Our hands refer to the “outward dimension” while our hearts refer to the “inward dimension.”
A stronghold has been destroyed only when a double-minded person becomes single-minded!
LIFEGROUP QUESTIONS:
Show Us The Father - Sunday June 21, 2020
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Peace of Mind - MIND SET Series Pt 3
JESUS IS ENOUGH - Jesus Series - June 14, 2020 (Rev. Nate Grace)
SET YOUR MIND - Mind Set Series Pt 2
SON OF MAN - Jesus Series - Sunday June 7, 2020
Passion then Pentecost - Shift Series
Don't Look Back - SHIFT Series - May 24, 2020
The Devil - Enemies Series - May 20, 2020
A Certain WORD in an Uncertain WORLD - Sunday Worship
A Certain WORD in an Uncertain WORLD - Saturday Live
“The World” - ENEMIES (The Fight of Your Life)
You are Worth It - Mother's Day - May 10, 2020
The Flesh - Enemies (the Fight of Your Life)
If the Oil is Low, You Don't Go (SHIFT) - May 3, 2020
“Loving Well” - Stand Firm, Love Well Series - April 29, 2020
Love is Why - We Go, Give, Serve and Stay - April 26, 2020
Standing Firm - April 22, 2020 - Stand Firm-Love Well Series
Love is Why - The Church is Essential - April 19, 2020
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