What is the single most important thought that a man or woman can have?
"What comes to mind when we think of God is the most important thing about us" - A. W. Tozer
What we think about God and think about how God views us (mankind) will in the end have a huge impact on the outcome of our lives and how our lives affect others.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. II Cor 10: 5 (NIV)
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)
Jesus answered, ”I (Jesus Christ) am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)
Christ = the truth
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. II Cor 10: 5 (NIV)
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to truth. II Cor 10: 5 (NIV)
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
Finally, brothers, 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 (NIV)
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men. Matthew 16:23 (NIV)
things of God things of men Matthew 16:23 (NIV)
There is a battle for your mind on what you think about God II Cor 10:5 – “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ II Corinthians 11:3 – “ your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” I Peter 1:13 – “Therefore, prepare your minds for action”
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV)
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. Eph 4:17 (NIV)
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. Colossians 1:21 (NIV)
Colossians 1:21 (NIV) KP’s comment Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds as shown by your evil behavior. Colossians 1:21 (NIV) KP’s comment
There is a battle for your mind on what you think about God
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)
That battle is fought in our minds in all the little moments of life That battle is fought in our minds in all the little moments of life. What is the root of most of our struggles in life ?
Struggle with Anger/Irritation Struggle with Guilt and Condemnation Struggle with the Past – my failures or the failure of someone else Struggle with Fear – the fear of man Fear of rejection Fear of what other people think about them Longing for the approval of others Struggles in Marriage Struggles with Emotions Struggle with Impatience Struggle with an Unforgiving Heart Struggle with Arguing Struggle with Exaggerating Struggle with Wanting to be in Control Struggle not feeling Important/Loved Struggles with self-pity, depression, worry Everyone struggles with something
The root of these struggles? We have been lied to We have been deceived
In the Garden was the first lie Eve listened to a lie Eve dwelled on a lie Eve acted on that lie
Who tells us lies? Satan promises happiness & pretends to have our best interests at heart, but… He is a deceiver and a destroyer. He wants us to side with him against God
John 8:44 – “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Murderer No truth in him Liar Lies originated from him
II Corinthians 4:4 – “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
He blind people’s minds from truth He doesn’t want people to see Christ for who Christ really is
II Corinthians 11:14 – “ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
He pretends to be something he is not He tricks people into thinking that he is good
Eph 6:11-12 – “ Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
he is a schemer he is spiritual we are to stand against him
I Peter 5:8 – “ Be self-controlled and alert I Peter 5:8 – “ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Satan is our enemy he searches for people to destroy
Beliefs/Thoughts produce behavior
Beliefs/Thoughts produce behavior Believing things that are true and choosing to act on truth will produce a life that reflects the likeness of God
Beliefs/Thoughts produce behavior Believing things that are true and choosing to act on truth will produce a life that reflects the likeness of God Believing things that are not true and choosing to act on “un-truth” will produce a life that does not reflect the likeness of God
Beliefs/Thoughts produce behavior Believing things that are true and choosing to act on truth will produce a life that reflects the likeness of God Believing things that are not true and choosing to act on “un-truth” will produce a life that does not reflect the likeness of God What we believe will be seen in the way we live – one of the main manifestations of this is seen in the way we view & treat others.
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:3-5 NIV
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:1-3 NIV
Jesus knew (believed) the Father had put all things under his power he had come from God was returning to God
How did what He believe about His Father and himself play out in His life?
How did what He believe about His Father and himself play out in His life? It made him secure and freed Him reveal the Father to a watching world and to serve others
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:1-3 NIV
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:13-14 NIV
“A new command I give you: Love one another “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 NIV
Remain in me and I will remain in you Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15: 4-5 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22 (NIV)