Winning the Spiritual Tug of War
Summary
### Summary
Today, we concluded our three-part series, "Tug of War," by focusing on how to live on the right side of the spiritual tug of war. We began by revisiting Romans 7:19, which encapsulates the struggle between our desire to do good and our tendency to do wrong. This internal conflict is a reality for every believer, and overcoming it requires intentional effort and divine assistance.
In the first week, we discussed the importance of prayer, resistance, and seeking help. The second week emphasized that a zero-defect mindset is unsustainable and highlighted the challenges of change due to long-standing habits, identity, and short-term rewards of poor choices. We also noted that winning the tug of war requires learning the truth, making decisive choices, and allowing the Holy Spirit to facilitate change.
Today, we delved into three additional requirements for winning this spiritual battle. First, winning requires new thinking. Ephesians 4:21-23 teaches us to renew our thoughts and attitudes through the Spirit. The battle begins in the mind, and changing our actions starts with changing our thoughts. Practical steps include daily quiet time with God, reading Scripture, and listening to praise and worship music. Repentance, which means changing our mind, is also crucial for spiritual renewal.
Second, winning requires embracing weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reveals that God's power is perfected in our weakness. Paul’s struggle with his "thorn in the flesh" teaches us that our weaknesses can be avenues for God's grace and power to manifest. Embracing our weaknesses allows God to work through us, turning our perceived liabilities into strengths.
Finally, winning requires real community. Lasting change happens in the context of honest, intentional relationships. We need people who will tell us the truth and support us. This involves being part of small groups, serving teams, and other community settings where we can share our burdens and receive mutual support. Authentic community helps us grow and overcome challenges that we cannot face alone.
### Key Takeaways
1. Renewing Your Mind: The battle for spiritual victory begins in the mind. Proverbs 23:7 states, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." To change our actions, we must first change our thoughts. This involves daily quiet time with God, reading Scripture, and listening to worship music. Repentance, which means changing our mind, is also essential for spiritual renewal. [04:32]
2. Embracing Weakness: God's power is perfected in our weakness. Paul’s experience with his "thorn in the flesh" teaches us that our weaknesses can be avenues for God's grace and power to manifest. Embracing our weaknesses allows God to work through us, turning our perceived liabilities into strengths. [17:11]
3. The Power of Repentance: Repentance is not just about saying sorry; it’s about changing our mind and turning from our ways to God's ways. This involves a shift in how we see ourselves, God, and others. Repentance leads to spiritual renewal and aligns our thoughts and attitudes with the Spirit of God. [12:24]
4. The Importance of Community: Lasting change requires honest, intentional community. We need people who will tell us the truth and support us. Being part of small groups, serving teams, and other community settings helps us share our burdens and receive mutual support. Authentic community helps us grow and overcome challenges that we cannot face alone. [27:10]
5. Helping Others: When we start helping others, God often takes care of our problems. The law of the harvest states that whatever we sow, we will also reap. By loving and supporting others, we create a cycle of mutual blessing and growth. [39:38]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:12] - Introduction and Recap
[02:07] - The Struggle of Change
[03:03] - Living on the Right Side of the Rope
[03:49] - Winning Requires New Thinking
[04:32] - The Battle Begins in the Mind
[05:08] - Thoughts Produce Feelings and Actions
[06:22] - Controlling Thoughts to Change Feelings
[07:24] - Spiritual Renewal of Thoughts and Attitudes
[08:03] - Practical Steps for Spiritual Renewal
[10:06] - The Power of Praise and Worship Music
[11:15] - The Role of Repentance
[12:24] - Embracing Weakness
[17:11] - God's Power in Our Weakness
[20:45] - Examples of Weakness in the Bible
[26:19] - Winning Requires Real Community
[27:10] - The Need for Honest, Intentional Relationships
[39:38] - Helping Others and the Law of the Harvest
[45:04] - Altar Call and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 7:19 - "I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway."
2. Ephesians 4:21-23 - "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deceit, and let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes."
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 7:19 reveal about the internal struggle every believer faces? [01:12]
2. According to Ephesians 4:21-23, what are we instructed to do with our old sinful nature? [03:49]
3. How does 2 Corinthians 12:9 describe the relationship between our weaknesses and God's power? [17:11]
4. What practical steps were mentioned in the sermon for renewing our thoughts and attitudes? [08:03]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the struggle described in Romans 7:19 resonate with your personal experiences of trying to do good but failing? [01:12]
2. In what ways can renewing our thoughts and attitudes, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:21-23, lead to lasting change in our lives? [03:49]
3. Why is it important to embrace our weaknesses according to 2 Corinthians 12:9, and how can this perspective change our approach to challenges? [17:11]
4. How does the concept of repentance, as explained in the sermon, go beyond just saying sorry? [12:24]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to do what is right, similar to the struggle described in Romans 7:19. What steps can you take to overcome this struggle with God's help? [01:12]
2. What specific thoughts or attitudes do you need to renew in your life to align more closely with the teachings of Ephesians 4:21-23? How will you implement these changes? [03:49]
3. Identify a weakness in your life that you have been reluctant to embrace. How can you allow God's power to work through this weakness, as described in 2 Corinthians 12:9? [17:11]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of daily quiet time with God. What changes can you make to ensure you spend consistent time in prayer and Scripture reading each day? [08:03]
5. Think about a recent situation where you needed to repent. How did changing your mind and perspective help you align more closely with God's ways? [12:24]
6. How can you actively seek out and participate in a real community that supports and challenges you in your spiritual growth? What steps will you take to join or form such a community? [27:10]
7. Reflect on a time when helping others led to unexpected blessings in your own life. How can you continue to sow seeds of love and support in your community? [39:38]
Devotional
### Day 1: Renewing Your Mind
Description: The battle for spiritual victory begins in the mind. Proverbs 23:7 states, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." To change our actions, we must first change our thoughts. This involves daily quiet time with God, reading Scripture, and listening to worship music. Repentance, which means changing our mind, is also essential for spiritual renewal. [04:32]
Bible Passage: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." — Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Reflection: What specific thoughts or attitudes do you need to renew today to align more closely with God's will? How can you incorporate daily quiet time, Scripture reading, and worship music into your routine to facilitate this renewal?
### Day 2: Embracing Weakness
Description: God's power is perfected in our weakness. Paul’s experience with his "thorn in the flesh" teaches us that our weaknesses can be avenues for God's grace and power to manifest. Embracing our weaknesses allows God to work through us, turning our perceived liabilities into strengths. [17:11]
Bible Passage: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life that you have been reluctant to embrace? How can you invite God to work through this weakness today?
### Day 3: The Power of Repentance
Description: Repentance is not just about saying sorry; it’s about changing our mind and turning from our ways to God's ways. This involves a shift in how we see ourselves, God, and others. Repentance leads to spiritual renewal and aligns our thoughts and attitudes with the Spirit of God. [12:24]
Bible Passage: "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." — Acts 3:19-20a (ESV)
Reflection: Is there a specific sin or mindset you need to repent of today? How can you actively turn from this and align your thoughts and actions with God's ways?
### Day 4: The Importance of Community
Description: Lasting change requires honest, intentional community. We need people who will tell us the truth and support us. Being part of small groups, serving teams, and other community settings helps us share our burdens and receive mutual support. Authentic community helps us grow and overcome challenges that we cannot face alone. [27:10]
Bible Passage: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." — Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support and accountability? How can you be more intentional about building honest and supportive relationships within your church or small group?
### Day 5: Helping Others
Description: When we start helping others, God often takes care of our problems. The law of the harvest states that whatever we sow, we will also reap. By loving and supporting others, we create a cycle of mutual blessing and growth. [39:38]
Bible Passage: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." — Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can help or support today? How can you sow seeds of love and kindness in their life, trusting that God will also take care of your needs?
Quotes
1. "The truth of the matter is the main battles in your life and the main battles in my life almost always begin as a mental battle. Amen? This little space in between your ears, it starts in the mind. It starts with your thinking. The game really is won or lost there. Proverbs 23, verse 7, says it this way, As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. And the way you think really determines how you feel, and the way you feel is what determines how you act." [04:32] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you want to change the way you act, don't change your actions. Change the way you feel. And if you want to change the way you feel about something, you've got to change the way you think. We can't get the cart before the horse. In other words, let me just say, and a little more simply, thoughts produce feelings which results in actions. Your thoughts produce feelings in your life that result in the actions that you take." [05:08] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Repentance literally means I'm changing my mind. I'm turning from death to life. From sinfulness to faithfulness. Amen. From bitterness to forgiveness. From guilt to peace of mind. I'm turning away from just my way toward God's way. You know, a lot of people think repent is a bad word. It's a hard word. It's a word with a negative connotation. Not at all. Repentance is a good word. It's a positive word. Change the way you think about it." [12:24] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Spirit of God renews my thoughts and my attitudes when I repent. Most of us have smartphones, don't we? Most people today carry a smartphone. How many of you would be honest enough to admit you cannot live without your Maps app? Let me get it. Let me get some. There was way more honest people at 9 o'clock. 'all need to repent right now, amen. Amen. Well, I'm just going to tell you, I can't live without my Maps app." [13:41] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you want to be a winner, stop fighting against your weakness and embrace your weakness. Whatever it is in your life. Amen. Now I'm not talking about your tendency towards sin. I'm not talking about embrace your sinful tendencies. But I'm talking about the weak areas of your life. The things that you don't think you're strong in. Let God shine his grace through you. His grace really is all. What you need. Amen. Paul even said, I boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me." [20:45] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "God's word gives us some challenges. And we got to acknowledge, man, these things are impossible to do in your own strength. Things like resist the devil. How's that working out without Jesus? Right? Things like walk in the spirit. Things like come out from among them. How about this one? Love your enemies. It's hard enough to love our friends sometimes. Right? Much less love your enemies. How do we do this? The Lord says you got to lay down your weapons. You got to quit trying to be self-sufficient and strong. I am your weapon. I am your strength. Amen." [22:54] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Christians who struggle the most are the ones who think they can do life all by themselves. Without exception, I can tell you this from experience. People that struggle with addictions, guess who struggles the most with their addictions? People who are trying to battle their addictions all by themselves. You know who struggles the most with depression? People who go home and won't talk to their parents. They won't talk to anybody about it, and they pull the curtains down, and they won't talk to a counselor. They won't talk to a friend at church. They won't even go to church." [34:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "You know what else I've noticed? When I start helping other people, it just seems like God starts taking care of some of my problems too. I think it's the law of the harvest. The scripture in Galatians says that whatever you sow, you're also going to reap. I feel like when I love on people, somehow, eventually, it all comes back. And people are there in my moment. So you know what? Start helping other people with their goals. Start helping other people with their goals. Show love. Give yourself away." [40:21] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You haven't been going to groups because you don't think you need them. Guess what? They need you. Man, I've been doing this for so many years. I got this down. Great. Go help somebody who doesn't have it down. Come on. Share how you've been able to do well financially. Share how you've been able to be married for 30 years. Share how you were able to raise your kids. Share how you got through your depression. And, you know what? Amen? Share how you broke your addiction to alcohol or drugs. Come on. Share how you conquered your suicidal thoughts." [40:55] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You know when Job, I won't tell this whole story. Some of you are Christians, you know Job. For those of you who are not Christians, Job was a guy in the Old Testament who lost everything he had. Now when I tell you he lost everything, I'm talking he lost his health, he lost his family, he lost his kids, he lost his wealth, he lost it all. But at the end of the book of Job, guess what? The Bible says he got it all back. It says he got it all back double. Right? Now you might say, how did Job get it all back? Here's what it says. After Job prayed for his friends." [43:01] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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