“Battlefield of the Mind”

Matthew 6:13

Getting to Know God: The Lord’s Prayer - Part 5

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13

A. The sources of our thoughts. (Romans 7: 21-25)

1. Our spiritual nature. (Matthew 16:13-17)

2. Our human nature.

3. Our spiritual enemy.

“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.” 1 Chronicles 21:1 NIV

“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.” John 13:2NIV

B. How do we test our thoughts?

“Test everything. Hold on to the good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 NIV

1. Is it biblical?

“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 NIV

2. Does it display the character of Christ?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

3. What kind of fruit will result if I act on this thought?

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 NIV

2 Corinthians 13:10, John 10:10

4. Ask God to confirm it.

a. Through His godly people.

“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.” Proverbs 15:22 NLT

b. From within through His Spirit. (John 10:2-5)

C. If the thought is not of God.

1. Reject it.

“I reject this thought as being wrong. I know that it is not of God and therefore it must be from my own human nature or from the enemy. In the name of Jesus Christ I resist and rebuke this thought.”

2. Replace it with God’s truth.

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV

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