The Battle for the Mind: Spiritual warfare
Spiritual Warfare • Sermon • Submitted
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1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Focus Verse:
Focus Verse:
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
1) Satan is the God of this World.
1) Satan is the God of this World.
When we say “Satan is the God of This world. “ we mean the earthly system of the world.
when I say systems, I mean the way the world does things that are contrary to the word of God.
We know the daily will of God is found in the Word of God.
We know that you don’t have to lie and cheat to get ahead in business don’t we? You may not come up as fast as someone else does initially but you will go further than someone who keeps a life style of corner cutting.
the reality is this; many of us believed a lie, the only way I can get ahead is to cut corners. that is not true.
2) The Spiritual Battle takes place in the mind.
2) The Spiritual Battle takes place in the mind.
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
what a person thinks is directly connected to what a person thinks.
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Even our sin is conceived is our minds.
So, the Bible teaches us that the mind controls all things.
the spiritual battle occurs in the Mind.
3. This is why we need renew our Mind.
3. This is why we need renew our Mind.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
When we change the way we think we change the way we act.
When we change the way we act we change the way we live.
We all struggle with two natures.
15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
We all struggle with the Old Man.
The Great Apostle Paul said “ I don’t Know what I am doing” the law in my mind (God’s Law,) wars against the law in my members, (the law of sin and death.)
The things I don’t need to do, those are the the things I end up doing.
What things do you want to do that you don’t do?
What things are you wanting to do that you are not able to do?