You are what you think? Yes as it is written Proverbs: 4:23 says "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." This bible study explains that there is power in your thoughts and how to control them. Colossians 2:8 says "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. We are susceptible to a gradual process of giving in to the values and priorities of our culture The process is like molding clay around what everyone else thinks or does and Satan is deliberately eroding your Christian values. Paul wrote about this "Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind", Romans 12:2
God's Thinking Cap as described to transform our thoughts as part of the armor that God provides us as "helmet of salvation" in Ephesians 6:17. "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 10:5 Tools that are useful to combat stinky thinking of anxiety, depression, hopelessness, loneliness and other toxic thoughts. One of the tools is to practice picky thinking which is discernment of what is true or actively helpful like deleting scam texts on your phone. Immediately delete it from your mind, do not allow it and set boundaries. Another tool is to screen against false narratives that distort what we believe about ourselves and can cause us to overreact in disproportionate ways. When confronted with false narratives, use the Scripture to uproot it and replant with God's truth.
Getting Unstuck from Anxiety and Guilt is to pray for peace and trust that he will provide it. For it is written "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight", Proverbs 3:5-6 Pray to God and thank him for his unending love and ask for help to confess any and all sins to be removed from you. Believe that he has done this when Jesus died on the cross. As in 1John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins an purify us from all unrighteousness."
Finding Joy and Avoiding the Lure of Lust is the ultimate reward of the longing for intimacy and connection with others. Yet we can avoid the bait by finding joy in Christ, as your strength. Worship him, pray and seek his presence Believe that joy is possible, but not tied to an outcome of greed. For it is written, John 15:9-11" As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Fathers commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete". So in your joy do not be turned towards lust and in it go beyond the temptation into sin. It may take much more effort to tame the thoughts of sex and sexuality that can start out slowly and then be easily explained and eventually grow into an event that would destroy a marriage.
Navigating Overwhelming Situations and Pain is described in Psalms 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Think that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, which means I am equipped to handle anything God brings my way. Use positive thinking and pray to him when awakening, and at the end of the day. Praise him during the day and meditate on his Word. Understand although there are trials in life, God will use your suffering for his glory. Remember God's goodness and mercy, meditating on his greatness and truth.
Facing Rejection and Dissatisfaction as an example of Paul's life ended rejected and imprisoned after spending decades planting churches and training disciples. Our culture encourages us to always want "more", where Paul was good at embracing "enough". We must face our thoughts of wanting more and replace them with thoughts of having enough and that God is our provider. Know that you do not earn your way to salvation, for it is written "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Seek contentment i times of need and in times of plenty as Paul says "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13. So as we were mad in his image, our thoughts are meant to resemble and reflect God's thoughts. As Paul described in 1 Corinthians 2:16, "the mind of Christ".
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Bible Study
Questions from Session One:
How much pressure do you feel to conform to a worldly way of thinking (moving away from a godly way of thinking) in the areas of work? social media? family? or friends? How can you change your thinking? How do we find a way to stop stinking thinking?
Answers to Session one:
Yes, I feel pressure to think in ways to be absent of thinking in a godly manner. There are some places that you find will make you want to play the game to get ahead, keep silent when something needs to be said or ignore truth that needs to be addressed. Social media can be a place where anything goes, and it can be totally disgusting behavior of people who do not remember their manners or how God wants us to be respectful and treat each other. Families or friends can have feuds that will crush us if we allow it to continue. Know God's word and turn to it daily to put on the helmet of salvation. This comes from God as he transforms our mind as it is written "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" Ephesians 6:17 and also to be assured God knows our needs as is said :Do not conform to the patters of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will." as is written in Romans 12:2 So when there are disagreements or temptation to cheat your brother, remember what stinky thinking is and how to change it by reading God's word and think of what is good as it is written in Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Questions from Session Two:
How do you practice picky thinking? What is the concept of a mental stronghold? How do you identify untruths (UFOs)? How can unoccupied area of your mind be dangerous if not replanted with his word?
Answers to Session Two:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says "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 this 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." This means to practice picky thinking by not allowing thoughts that carry weight that are harmful to receive attention in your mind. Thoughts that can go beyond a scam that is obvious, it can be spiritual attacks on how we think to react to stressful situations or become consumed with anger and overreactions . Refuse to allow thinking into your mental perimeter that is untrue and reject it. Be alert to lies that Satan tries to plant by being alert to this and keep a mind that is fully sober and not distracted needlessly.
Questions from Session Three:
How have you been impacted by anxiety over the different ages? What are you anxious about? Do you trust that God can save you and defend you? Do you feel alone facing your problems? When chaos and turmoil surrounds you, do you turn to the Lord and pray for his help? Do you sometimes create false truths that can become overreactions. Are you stuck in thoughts of guilt and need to confess to God the reality of your situation? do you accept his forgiveness? Can you move beyond the grip of guilt in your life?
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