https://www.facebook.com/Encountertexoma/videos/483201659545431
Sunday December 01, 2019
KEY VERSE FOR TODAY
2 Corinthians 10:3-5- “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.”
The problem is that many Christians don’t wage war at all! Satan is assaulting us with evil!
He’s delivering blows of deception and bombarding us with lies.
STRONGHOLD- The Giant in your Promised Land. That one area maybe two that will not let you go. God has provided freedom for you through Jesus Christ, but it’s that area that just won’t seem to let you go.
It’s that GIANT that you stare at every day. IT’S A STRONGHOLD!
It may be in your emotions, it may be in your relationships, it may be an addiction or habit, it may be in your spending, it may be anger, who knows!
But you have an area, maybe it’s lust, it’s in your mind, your thoughts, your words, negative thoughts, negative emotions. BUT YOU JUST CAN’T SEEM TO BREAK FREE!
STRONGHOLD- A prisoner locked by deception.
It feels like it has power over you but it doesn’t! It’s a lie. You think it it has more power in your life than it really does.
STRONGHOLD- Living Life by something that is not true! Some of you can break free but don’t believe you can break free! You’re convinced your “stronghold” is true! (Zar)
STRONGHOLD- “Anything that exalts itself in our minds, pretending to be bigger or more powerful than our God!”
SYMPTOMS OF STRONGHOLDS:
Lack of Focus! I’m easily distracted.
Causes us to feel controlled. This is who I am. I’m an alcoholic. I can’t get over this. That’s a a lie.
Consumes our emotional energy. Hopelessness, depressions. You’ve bought into a lie.
Distracts us from our purpose. The devil doesn’t mind you going to heaven he just doesn’t want you taking anyone with you. Every time you pray it’s just for you and not the world. Every time you come to church it’s all about you and not about them. That’s okay with the devil. Distracted from your purpose.
Robs you of abundant life. You’ve lost the idea that this is even possible. I’m in survival mode. You’ve believed a lie. God has abundant life for you!
SO I RECOGNIZE I’VE GOT A STRONGHOLD IN MY LIFE!
To win the battle for our minds, we must engage, because there is no other way for us to defeat evil. The days of being neutral must be over!
HOW DO I FIGHT THIS BATTLE! HOW DO I OVERCOME STRONGHOLDS
- Surrender My Thought Life
Romans 8:5-6 – Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
Romans 12:2 -“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
I’ll never change my life until I change the way I think!
II. Speak God’s Truth
Where do you find God’s truth? The Bible!
Hebrews 4:12- “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Mark 11:23- “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”
Proverbs 18:21- “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
There’s something to be said about the power of my words!
Now I join the power of God’s Word with the power of my words, that’s POWERFUL!
III. Silence the Liar
John 8:44 (NLT)- “….for (the devil) he’s full of nothing but lies—lying is his native tongue. He is a master of deception and the father of lies!
When we expose the lie with the truth we defeat the liar.
James 4:7- “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
CONCLUSION:
The devil has power but he has no authority! YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY! When we believe the lie we empower the liar!
Nothing is too difficult for God!
Nothing is bigger or more powerful than God!
I surrender my thought life to God. Speak God’s truth and silence the liar!
Ephesians 1:19-20- “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”
That’s incredible! The same power that raised Christ from the dead. Let that sink in! (Snow Illustration)
You have supernatural, resurrection, roll the stone away power at hand to change you mind, transform your thoughts and win the war!
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?