This week at City Central, we had a powerful Youth Takeover service as high schooler Claire Mock brought an inspiring word! She reminded us that God desires each of us to live a full and abundant life in Him. However, our thoughts can either lead us closer to God or draw us away as the mind affects the decisions we make, our values, and our lifestyle. In Jesus, we’ve been given the authority to take control of our minds and our thoughts, which ultimately shape our lives and relationships. Claire encouraged us to be intentional in training our minds to dwell on the things of God, allowing His truth to transform us from the inside out.
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Abundance is an overflowing amount of something.
For Believers, this means a full and overflowing measure of God’s love, peace, joy and all the life God wants to give us through Jesus. Our lives and minds should be filled with this abundance, but we know that’s not always the case. Our thoughts can so easily be filled with anger, loneliness, and fear. So, what is the disconnect?
Guarding our Mind
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
The bible makes a clear distinction between a guarded (controlled) and unguarded
(uncontrolled) mind/heart.
– Uncontrolled mind/heart- evidence of the flesh (Romans 8:6)
– Controlled mind/heart- evidence of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God’s peace transcends all understanding. In our minds it may seem impossible not to be anxious. However, when we know who God is and how good He is, we can trust that His peace will surpass all the natural possibilities of the world and bring a true peace in the middle of the storm.
Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV)
“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?’”
It didn’t make sense to feel at peace, but Jesus understood that the peace of God is bigger than all human understanding, and He allowed God to bring peace to the situation.
The peace of God is often misunderstood. It does not mean nothing in life will rock your boat, but it does mean you can choose and declare a SUPERNATURAL PEACE in hardship.
When we live in bondage to negative thinking, we can no longer live in abundance. If fear, jealousy, anger, bitterness, etc. is allowed to marinate in your thoughts, that becomes how we live and see the world. It doesn’t lead to abundance!
Understanding and Walking in Your Authority Over the Mind
- Authority comes at salvation
Ephesians 1:19-22 (ESV)
“And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church…”
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
If a thought aligns with the things of God and the fruits of the spirit, let it remain in your mind and build you up. However, if it aligns with the enemy take those thoughts captive and make it subject to Jesus because the things of the enemy lead to all forms of death.
- Repent and Believe the Truth
Philippians 2:10-11 (ESV)
“So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
When you realize your thoughts have not been in alignment with God, repent for agreeing with the lie and kick it out of your mind in Jesus’ name. Then, choose to dwell on the truth of God’s Word.
Discussion Questions:
- How does the uncontrolled mind hinder the abundant life that Jesus offers? What does it look like in your current season to live an abundant life?
- What do you think Jesus was teaching his disciples when He calmed the storm in Matthew 8:23-27? How does this relate to our ability to have peace during life’s storms?
- Ephesians 1:19-22 says that Christ is far above all rule, authority, and power. How does understanding your authority through Jesus change the way you face challenges?
- Why is repentance important for walking in the abundant life God promises?
- What is one Bible verse that has helped you combat negative or fearful thoughts? Why is that verse significant to you?
Application questions:
- What are some specific ways you can begin to guard your heart and mind in your daily life?
- What is one thing you feel God is calling you to repent of or believe more deeply in this week in order to experience more of His abundant life?