The Battle of the Mind
Introduction, How’s your thought life?
Are you struggling with worry, doubts, lustful thoughts, fearful thought, thoughts
of despair?
Text, Philippians 4:8
Recipe of Joy
I. Rejoice the Lord (Celebrate)
II. Lighten up (tolerate)
III. Supplicate
IV. Meditate
I. The Importance of your thoughts
A. Your thoughts determine your destiny
“Sow a thought, reap an action”
Sow an action, reap a habit
Sow a habit, reap a character
Sow a character, reap a destiny”
B. Your thoughts determine your joy and peace (Isaiah 26:3)
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.” KJV
“The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in Thee” NASV
II. Satan’s Attack on Your Mind
A. Satan knows the importance of your thoughts
If he can defeat you in your mind, he can defeat and destroy you.
B. Satan’ strategy (John 8:44)
“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.”
C. Satan’ lies (hand out sheet)
III. How to Win the Battle in Your Mind
A. Surrender your thought life to Christ
B. Meditate on God’s Word
C. Put a filter on your mind, Philippians 4:8
Application, We have many types of filters in our lives, in your car you have an air, oil, gas and transmission filter. In your home you may air and water filters. Those filters are all useful and needed how much more do you need a filter on your mind.
Filter for your mind (Philippians 4:8)
1. Whatever is true (accurate) to reality and to scriptures
2. Honorable (venerable, reverence or respect)
3. Right (conformity to God’s standards)
4. Pure (uncontaminated) not morally defiling
5. Lovely (promotes love) no hatred or bitterness
6. Good repute (of good report) no gossip
7. Excellence (motivates godly living)
8. Praiseworthy (does it cause praise?)
Will you surrender your thought life to Christ?
Will you commit to meditating on God’s Word?
Will you filter what you hear?
Will you filter what you look at?
You Can Win the Battle In Your Mind!
