Mind Games: Part 1
Speaker: Pastor Pierre du Plessis
Read: Proverbs 23:7; Isaiah 43:25; John 1:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 Peter 2:9, 5:8; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 1 John 1:9; 3 John 1-2
The life we have is a reflection of the thoughts we have because as one thinks so is his behavior. Our mind is a battlefield due to the uninvited voice of the enemy who plants negative thoughts that lead to stress and anxiety which not only impairs our brain’s functions, but eventually our lives. The world advocates a process called positive thinking to combat this. But as believers our response must differ for God has ordained us to be citizens of a new kingdom and reminds us that we are carriers of a life restored through Jesus Christ. The enemy wants to deceive us into thinking we are who we were before coming to Christ. His assault on our lives is designed to silence our testimony. His assignment is to challenge what we believe so that we walk under the heaviness of discouragement, depression and oppression. His primary tactics are shame, thereby causing us to think we are flawed and unworthy of love and belonging; and fear, such that we are paralyzed by perceived danger. But God has given us mighty weapons and everything necessary for a good life and His desire is that we prosper in all things. Prospering starts in our minds and is then manifested in our lives as we have the mind of Christ and begin to see ourselves as God sees us.
Discussion Questions:
1. What resonated with you as you listened to this sermon and reviewed it?
2. It was said that the enemy tries to make us feel guilty for what God doesn’t even remember.
3. What does this mean to you? How have you experienced this?
4. If we are to see ourselves as God sees us, we must understand how he sees us.
5. How do you think God sees us who are followers of Jesus?
6. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. What weapons can we use to confront the enemy when he comes at us with accusations?
7. Read 3 John 1-2 in several versions. What do you think it means to prosper in all things as our soul prospers?
8. Read 1 Corinthians 2:16. How can we have the mind of Christ?
9. What are your thoughts about the following quotes given:
a. Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts.
b. You have the life you are willing to put up with; if you don’t like your life, change your thinking.
c. You’ll never be surprised by a future life that differs from your current thoughts.
d. If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.