New Song Church

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Questions that Plague the Mind

1. Who am I?
2. Where am I from?
3. Why am I here?
4. What can I do?
5. Where am I going?

Proverbs 4:23 NLT “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Whatever has found its way into our hearts is what will determine our response.

Where you are is based on the choices you’ve made on the pathway to the present.

Proverbs 23:7b NKJV “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Thoughts are the gateway to the heart.

"Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny."

Heart = Leb

Matthew 15:19 NKJV “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”

Thought = Dialogismos

What we think, imagine, believe, or guess sets boundaries to what we can will or choose, and therefore to what we can create.
Dallas Willard

REALM OF THOUGHT:

1 - Ideas
2 - Images
3 - Information

Romans 12:2 AMP “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”

INFLUENCES IN THE REALM OF THOUGHT:

1 - The Flesh

INFLUENCE

Galatians 5:19-21 NIV “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

HOW TO OVERCOME

1 Corinthians 9:27 ASV “but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.”

2 - The World

INFLUENCE

1 John 2:15-17 NIV “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

HOW TO OVERCOME

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

Luke 8:18 NKJV “Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

“Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason——I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other——my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen Here I stand - I cannot do otherwise.”
Martin Luther

3 - The Devil

INFLUENCE

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

HOW TO OVERCOME

James 4:7-8 NIV “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Guarding our heart is guarding our mind.

Renovating the mind involves being guarded against the things we think.

Philippians 4:8 NIV “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Think - Logizomai