Winning The War Of Our Minds

Title: “Winning the War of Our Minds” Script: Phil. 4:8-9

Type: Expository Series Where: GNBC 8-27-23

Intro: We are living in a day and age of uncertainty and conflict. The largest war in Europe since WWII is presently being fought in Eastern Europe. There are currently 32 major conflicts in the world at present. There are a few places, including China and Taiwan, as well as Niger, Chad, and Nigeria, where in a moment, literally millions of combatants could be at war in a matter of hours. In S. Africa the leader of the ANC Party is calling for the genocide of those citizens born of Boer decent. IN the Middle East, a powder keg sits ready to explode if the wrong match is lighted. Culturally, morally, and in some ways intellectually, the Western World seems to be in freefall mode. However, I would like to submit to you today that the greatest area of conflict today is not international, political, economic, or social. Rather, the greatest area of conflict in the world today is the battle for control of our minds. The average American is exposed to 4,000-10,000 ads per day. That's nearly double the number of ads the average person saw in 2007 and over five times as many ads as the average person saw in the 1970s (Zippa, 6-28-22). American rates of depression and anxiety requiring medication are at their highest levels in history. Friend, in the unseen world, there is a continuous conflict going on between Jesus Christ and Satan for the control of your mind. The wisest man who ever lived wrote: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7). The most valid test of what a person really is, is not what they say, but rather, what they think about. What do you and I think about? Do you and I have peace in our minds? I would like to suggest 3 actions we can take so as to better win the war of our minds.

Prop: In Phil. 4:8-9, Paul prescribes 3 actions we should take so as to win the war of our minds.

BG: 1. We are now entering the final chapter of Phil. Paul is giving very practical applications.

2. IN this section Paul gives believers a list to keep minds focused on when fighting war for our minds.

Prop: Let’s exam. Phil. 4:8-9 to see 3 actions Paul prescribes to win the war of our minds.

I. Carefully Consider What You Allow Your Mind to Think About. V.8a

A. We are Living in A Day and Age of Mental Conflict.

1. The Successful Disciple of Christ Realizes the Greatest Spiritual Battle takes Place in our Mind.

a. “Finally” – Paul is coming to his last point. Back in Phil. 3:1, Paul used the word “Finally”, however, he wasn’t really done yet. Maybe the apostle was simply proving that he was a preacher, saying he was done when he still had 15 minutes to go. But now, he is wrapping up his letter with these practical applications. He has a very important point to make for Christians.

b.

2. The Successful Christian Must Realize the Importance of Disciplining His/Her Mind.

a. Rom. 12:2 tells us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Illust: In every generation, every culture there is a dominant prevailing spirit. “The Germans coined a word for it, Zeitgeist, a term that joins two common ideas together. Zeit is the German word for "time," Geist is the German word for "spirit." So Zeitgeist means "spirit of the time" or "spirit of the age." The contemporary Zeitgeist in which the Christian lives is one of secularism. The emphasis is on this world, on this time. Little attention is given to things that are above and beyond this world. Eternity is rarely considered, save for brief moments at a graveside. What counts is the here and now. To live for the moment, for the gusto of the present, is the spirit of this world.” (RC Sproul, The Theater of Redemption).

b. Illust: When I was in college, I worked for a period of time at factory that produced the front fenders for Ford pick up trucks. It was dangerous work. I never saw the dry erase board noting days without injuries in the plant go beyond three! My line ran pieces of sheet metal the length and nearly width of a twin bed. Two operators would each grab a piece of sheet metal, load their individual piece on their side of the massive stamping press, and together press the button that would send the multiple ton press crashing down onto the raw materials. By the end of the line, what was rectangular piece of sheet metal was now the front fender of an F150. The purpose of the stamps was to conform that metal to a specific image. Each stamp bent and formed the metal a little more. Wasn’t done all at once. Same is true for each of us in our minds. Either the system of the world is going to daily mold and shape you into its likeness, or the Word of God and the HS will shape you into the likeness of the mind of Christ.