Winning the Internal Battle: Truth Over Lies

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound internal battle that each of us faces, a war within our minds and hearts. This struggle is often characterized by the tension between our self-talk and the truth of God's Word. We are constantly bombarded by negative thoughts and past failures that try to define us, yet God calls us blessed, chosen, and redeemed. The Apostle Paul, who referred to himself as a "wretched man," exemplifies this struggle. Despite his past, he was transformed by his encounter with Jesus, reminding us that our identity is not rooted in our past but in Christ's redemptive work.

We delved into the concept of self-talk, recognizing that it can either align with God's truth or be a tool of the enemy to sow doubt and despair. The key is to take every thought captive, aligning it with the truth of Scripture. This is not a battle we fight alone; God has equipped us with spiritual armor to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. The full armor of God, as described in Ephesians, is essential for this spiritual warfare. It includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

Moreover, we are reminded that our confidence should not be in ourselves but in the Lord. Self-confidence is fleeting and unreliable, but confidence in God is steadfast and enduring. The Holy Spirit, our divine helper, empowers us to live victoriously, providing strength and guidance in our daily battles. As we navigate this life, we must remember that the victory is already won through Christ, and our role is to stand firm in that victory, using the spiritual tools God has provided.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Battle Within: Our internal struggle is a war between negative self-talk and the truth of God's Word. We must choose to believe what God says about us, that we are blessed, chosen, and redeemed, rather than the lies of the enemy. [11:03]

2. Taking Thoughts Captive: It is crucial to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. This requires intentionality and reliance on God's Word to transform our minds and align our thoughts with His truth. [19:15]

3. Equipped for Battle: God has provided us with spiritual armor to stand against the enemy's schemes. The full armor of God is essential for spiritual warfare, enabling us to stand firm in the victory already won by Christ. [24:43]

4. Confidence in God: Our confidence should not be in ourselves but in the Lord. Self-confidence is unreliable, but confidence in God is steadfast and enduring, empowering us to live victoriously. [30:02]

5. Empowered by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our divine helper, providing strength and guidance in our daily battles. We are not left as orphans; the Spirit equips us to live out our faith with power and purpose. [30:02]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:02] - The Power of Self-Talk
[11:03] - The War Within
[16:43] - Identity in Christ
[19:15] - Taking Every Thought Captive
[24:43] - Equipped for Spiritual Battle
[30:02] - Confidence in God and the Holy Spirit

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 7:18-25
2. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3. Ephesians 6:10-18

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Observation Questions:

1. In Romans 7:18-25, how does Paul describe his internal struggle with sin? What does he identify as the source of his deliverance? [11:03]

2. According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, what are believers instructed to do with their thoughts? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual warfare? [19:15]

3. What components make up the full armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, and what is their purpose in spiritual warfare? [24:43]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to live victoriously? [30:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Paul's description of himself as a "wretched man" in Romans 7:24 reflect the tension between human weakness and divine grace? What does this reveal about the nature of Christian identity? [11:03]

2. In what ways does taking every thought captive, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:5, challenge the believer's daily life? How can this practice transform one's mindset? [19:15]

3. How does the sermon explain the significance of each piece of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18? What might this suggest about the nature of spiritual battles believers face? [24:43]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the difference between self-confidence and confidence in God? How does this distinction impact a believer's approach to life's challenges? [30:02]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where negative self-talk influenced your actions. How can you apply the truth of God's Word to reshape your self-perception? [11:03]

2. Identify a recurring thought pattern that does not align with God's truth. What practical steps can you take to bring this thought captive to Christ? [19:15]

3. Consider the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6. Which piece do you feel you need to focus on strengthening in your life, and how can you do so this week? [24:43]

4. How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength in your daily battles? What specific prayer or practice can you incorporate into your routine? [30:02]

5. Think of a time when you relied on self-confidence and it failed you. How can you shift your confidence to be more rooted in God? What changes might this require in your daily life? [30:02]

6. How can you encourage someone in your life who is struggling with their identity in Christ? What specific words or actions can you offer to support them? [11:03]

7. Reflect on a past failure that still affects your self-talk. How can you use the truth of being blessed, chosen, and redeemed to redefine your identity in Christ? [11:03]

Devotional

Day 1: The War Within: Choosing God's Truth Over Lies
Description: Each of us faces a profound internal battle, a war within our minds and hearts. This struggle is often characterized by the tension between our self-talk and the truth of God's Word. We are constantly bombarded by negative thoughts and past failures that try to define us, yet God calls us blessed, chosen, and redeemed. The Apostle Paul, who referred to himself as a "wretched man," exemplifies this struggle. Despite his past, he was transformed by his encounter with Jesus, reminding us that our identity is not rooted in our past but in Christ's redemptive work. We must choose to believe what God says about us, that we are blessed, chosen, and redeemed, rather than the lies of the enemy. [11:03]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: What negative self-talk do you need to replace with the truth of God's Word today? How can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ when these thoughts arise?


Day 2: Capturing Thoughts: Aligning with Christ's Truth
Description: It is crucial to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. This requires intentionality and reliance on God's Word to transform our minds and align our thoughts with His truth. The process of capturing thoughts involves recognizing when our thoughts deviate from God's truth and actively choosing to redirect them. This is not a passive endeavor but an active engagement with the Word of God, allowing it to renew our minds and shape our perspectives. By doing so, we align our thoughts with the truth of Scripture, enabling us to live in the freedom and victory that Christ has secured for us. [19:15]

2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV): "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."

Reflection: Identify a recurring thought that does not align with God's truth. What specific Scripture can you use to counter this thought and bring it into obedience to Christ?


Day 3: Equipped for Spiritual Battle: The Armor of God
Description: God has provided us with spiritual armor to stand against the enemy's schemes. The full armor of God is essential for spiritual warfare, enabling us to stand firm in the victory already won by Christ. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Each piece of armor serves a specific purpose, protecting us from the enemy's attacks and empowering us to stand firm in our faith. By putting on the full armor of God, we are equipped to face the challenges of life with confidence and strength, knowing that we are not alone in this battle. [24:43]

Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Reflection: Which piece of the armor of God do you feel you need to focus on today? How can you intentionally "put on" this piece of armor in your daily life?


Day 4: Confidence in God: Trusting His Steadfastness
Description: Our confidence should not be in ourselves but in the Lord. Self-confidence is fleeting and unreliable, but confidence in God is steadfast and enduring, empowering us to live victoriously. When we place our trust in God, we are anchored in His unchanging nature and His promises. This confidence is not based on our abilities or circumstances but on the character and faithfulness of God. By relying on Him, we find strength and assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties, knowing that He is with us and for us. This confidence in God enables us to face challenges with courage and hope, trusting that He will guide us and provide for us in every situation. [30:02]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you relying on your own strength instead of God's? How can you shift your confidence from yourself to the Lord today?


Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Living with Purpose and Power
Description: The Holy Spirit is our divine helper, providing strength and guidance in our daily battles. We are not left as orphans; the Spirit equips us to live out our faith with power and purpose. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome challenges, resist temptation, and live in alignment with God's will. By relying on the Spirit's guidance, we are able to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and discernment. The Spirit also equips us with spiritual gifts, enabling us to serve others and fulfill our God-given purpose. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, we experience His transformative work in our lives, leading us to live victoriously and purposefully for God's glory. [30:02]

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you in a specific area of your life today? What steps can you take to be more attuned to His leading?

Quotes

"How God calls us blessed, chosen, adopted, redeemed. Many of the things that God speaks about us. And then last week, we talked about the title of it was What You Say. And it was about what people say to us, what we say to others. I'm going to read it to you. And -talk matters. So what we say to ourselves. Now, I want to clarify something at the beginning." [00:05:16]

"This self-talk really is a war within it's going on within us from this point on this sermon this message is going to be about a war that's going on inside of us I don't know about you but I struggle with this self-talk stuff because the enemy wants to convince me that I'm no good my past history wants to convince me that I'm no good but God's word says otherwise which one am I going to buy into which one am I going to follow." [00:11:03]

"For in my inner being I delight in God's law for I see another law at work in me waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me what a wretched man I am who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death I'm going to read that one again what a wretched man I am who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death so this guy called himself the wretched man that he is wrote most of the New Testament he's the one that had a dramatic encounter with Jesus." [00:12:26]

"He says to be learn what he says about who we are what we're supposed to do take captive every thought I'll be honest with you sometimes it's a comedy show in my mind it's turned into that I'll give you a good example so I mentioned earlier it's been almost 20 years since the last time I used drugs even 20 years away from it sometimes in my mind it'll be like you know it's been 20 years." [00:21:31]

"Answer that's how you take control of your thoughts if we could do this on self-will we'd all walk around perfect and never making mistakes wouldn't we the fact is we don't have the ability in the desert he he had been away from Egypt for 40 years new life new home new world new family he hadn't thought about going back to Egypt at all it wasn't on his to-do list but God had it on there for him and so God spoke to the murderer Moses and said hey I got a job for you well whatever past sin whatever wrong self-thinking that you've had God has a plan and a purpose for you as well we get in the way of his plan and purpose now take every thought captive." [00:25:24]

"Ourselves confidence in ourselves will fail it'll run out the next mistake you make you're gonna lose it again and read back be right back into that I'm not good enough so chapter 6 verse 10 through 18 see he doesn't leave us as orphans he equips us he equips us to fight these battles that are already won by him they're not won by me I'm the stupid guy on the other side that keeps going into the battle forgetting that I got all these weapons to fight the battles with so what are these weapons I'm about to read to you finally be strong in the Lord and put and in his mighty power let me try that again finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power 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 Not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers and." [00:27:09]

"They are ineffective, useless. They don't matter that you have them or not because you're not using them. It's only when we use them. Use the equipment that he has given us that we're able to do what he says. And I believe the number one is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in us. It's with us. It gives us strength. It gives us direction." [00:30:02]

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Transcript
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