Brain Games-Stinking Thinking

Today we continue with the Brain Games Series but first, we start with a testimony from Mrs. Karen. today's sermon is called Stinking Thinking.

Pastor's Notes:

Romans 8:5-8 NKJV

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [a]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [b]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning, everyone!

It was great last week as we joined together in communion, and we are looking forward to baptism this morning as well.

Last week, I challenged you in the area of strongholds.

Today, I want to talk to you about “Stinking Thinking”.

ILLUSTRATION

There’s a story I heard of a man who got married whose friends played a prank on him at his bachelor party.

He fell asleep on the couch, and his buddies smeared a bit of strong-smelling cheese dip on his mustache. It caused him to wake up to an awful smell. He got up, ran to the kitchen. It smelled in there. He turned around, ran into the living room, and it smelled there. He put his shoes on, ran outside, and it smelled out there. He said “What’s the use! The whole world stinks!”

 

 

I’m sorry to tell you, but the whole world doesn’t stink. What stinks is under your nose!

Ever felt that way?

We have all experienced bad days and horrible situations. We've felt trapped, helpless and, at times, hopeless. We may have even believed that the whole world stinks.

TRANSITION

Such is the same in the lives of many people. Nothing is good, everything is falling apart, and the whole world is hopeless.

Perhaps the problem is not with the world, but rather right under your nose. Your tongue is invisibly connected to your thoughts and your heart. what you think on, you will eventually utter, and what you say will end up lodging in your mind. It’s a proven fact.

Look at what Jesus said about the heart and tongue connection:

Luke 6:45 NKJV

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil [a]treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

QUOTE: What’s down in the well will always come up in the bucket. That’s why guarding your soul matters.

Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

When mind is bathed in negativity, it affects the filter of our lives. Look at this passage in Titus 1:15 NKJV

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

In other words, being critical, negative, and pessimistic has to do with the lens or filter through which you view life.

When your mind is fleshly and carnal, it’s all but impossible to view things the correct way.

ILLUSTRATION

CAMERA LENS ILLUSTRATION

But what’s the truth?

Is the glass half full, or is it half empty?

Both are true. What matters is how you see things.

QUOTE: When you change the way you see things, the things you see change.

BACKGROUND

In Romans, Paul is dealing with the exact same thing. He is dealing with the carnal mindset and how it affects our lives.

Question:
How many of you want to win in life?
If so, then let’s look at what the Bible says about our thoughts.

 

 

APPLICATION
1. Our mindset is determined by choice. (vs. 5)
- You can set it on carnal things.
- You can set it on spiritual things.
2. Our mindset produces fruit. (vs. 6)
- Life and Peace
- Death and Carnality
3. Our mindset produces defeat or victory. (vs. 7-8) - If we are at war with God, the devil wins.
- If we line up with Him, we win!

CONCLUSION

How can we shift our mindset? Paul tells us how to shift our focus.

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.