“WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE – A SOUND MIND”

Dr. Kenneth Jones

Pastor, Practical Living Ministry

You were “Built to Last:” However Sin and Separation became the deteriorating factor

It’s hard to separate one’s spiritual identity, walk, and development from one’s pattern of thinking. That is why the Apostle Paul writes to us in Romans 12:2, to renew our mind as part of our spiritual service and

obligation to God

Taking care of your “Self” is not a bad idea as long as you accomplish it through God’s principles

▪ We were made in the Image of God (Genesis 1:26-28) – What does it mean to be an image?▪ The image in Ancient Middle East terminology is not a copy, but a representation, not of

form, but of action

▪ Two Hebrews words that describe “image & likeness:” tselem and demuwth▪ Demuwth means to be like God, to act like God – Genesis 1:2 that God has control over

the darkness and the chaos of the world. We are supposed to be able to operate above the chaos, representing God in this world

▪ Tselem means to share in the same purpose of God. Man is supposed to rule and have dominion.▪ When is a candle a candle? Although it has form and substance, it is not a candle until it is lighted.

Man is not truly “human” until one serves one’s purpose.

▪ The purpose of Salvation is not to get to Heaven (Actually God wants to bring heaven to us), but to become “Human,” fulfilling the purpose God has called us to

▪ To be God’s completed person (Genesis 2:7), you need to make choices to fit the designed pattern you were created to be. To make the right choices with consequences that will lead you on the path towards being “human”

▪ To be “Wicked” involves a long course of decisions that put you on a path away from God and what God has designed for you to be

2 Corinthians 10:4 - For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;

▪ The Church, and the Christian acting solely in Christ's name, does not wage war in the same manner as the world.

▪ God has provided us with spiritual weapons to win this fight when it comes to pulling down detrimental emotional, spiritual, and mental strongholds and thoughts that can take us captive

▪ The Word of God is our Primary Weapon Against the Enemy▪ “It is Written..” – Jesus, when tempted of the devil who attempted the same attack as in the

garden of Eden, spoke the Word of God to the enemy until he departed

▪ Exercising the Word of God in authority through our prayers and speaking the Word of God▪ Jesus taught as one who has authority – Matthew 7:29

▪ The early church spoke the Word of God with boldness – Acts 4:34

▪ Revelation 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

▪ Psalms 107:20 - He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. ▪ God’s Word has power to deliver, heal, save, set free, strengthen against enemy attack

▪ What’s make it difficult is the fact that many don’t know the Word or Trust in the Word

▪ “Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth” (John 17:17).▪ The truth from God’s Word is the means by which our minds are renewed and transformed

(Romans 12:2); from the ignorance and deception of our unsaved condition, to the renewed mind which thinks in accordance with God’s Word and His ways

▪ Abiding and Continuing in the Word of God – The Word of God needs to be in us and guiding our thoughts and actions.

▪ John 8:31 - Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

▪ John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

▪ The Blood of Jesus – We “plead” our case for ourselves and for others on behalf of the blood that was shed by Jesus Christ

▪ Revelation 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

▪ The blood of Christ represents redemption from which we can operate from a guiltless mindset/conscience because Jesus paid the final price for our sins -

▪ You can’t spiritually plead the blood of Jesus or cover unbelievers with the Blood of Jesus in order that they one day become saved. We can approach God in confidence on behalf of the blood being shed to ask for His protection and power to overcome when we are attacked by the enemy

PRAISE IS OUR WEAPON – PSALMS 8:2

▪ Psalms 8:2 - Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained (established) strength (praise) because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still (terminate; destroy; cause to fail) the enemy and the avenger. (Note: based upon definitions from blue letter bible)

▪ Psalms 16:11: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence isfulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.▪ If God’s joy is His Strength (Neh 8:10), then in God’s presence is fullness of strength

▪ Loins Girded About with Truth – It begins with tying up the “loose straps” of your mind and thinking.▪ A soldier must be not be “entangled” with this world and its affairs in order to please the One

who chose him to be a soldier (2nd Tim 2:3,4)

▪ Too many soldiers can’t find because their minds are caught up in the cares of this world

▪ Pull of the straps and discipline your mind to fight – God’s Word is the truth you need to meditate upon and cast down imaginations

▪ When we put on the belt we are prepared for action and have a battle frame of mind

▪ Breastplate of Righteousness – The breastplate covers your most vital organs.▪ Righteousness represents not only right standing, but right thinking – It is sound and right

thinking, coupled with proper training that protects you in battle.

▪ Knowing that you have right standing establishes you in your relationship with Christ having access and acceptance by the Father. Right thinking helps us make right decisions, and right choices leading to positive consequences in our spiritual walk.

▪ Right thinking also comes from a Renewed Mindset

▪ Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace▪ It is the peace of God that will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:

▪ Preparation means a “prepared foundation.” The gospel of Christ provides the footing for everything we do. No matter how powerful we may think we are, if you are wounded in the feet, you are easy prey for the enemy.

▪ On the shoes: “Josephus described them as ‘shoes thickly studded with sharp nails’ . . . so as to ensure a good grip.

▪ The idea of preparation is really readiness. We must be mobile, flexible, and ready with the truth

▪ Shield of Faith – This shield covers the whole body, protecting us from the fiery darts of the wicked one▪ Fiery darts – persistent efforts of demonic foes to weaken us through fear, unbelief,

thoughts, imaginations, and lies. The shield of faith refutes the lies of Satan and turns him back

▪ Helmet of Salvation – Protecting the most essential part of the body (the mind) –seat of our emotions, passions, and thoughts▪ 1st Thessalonians 5:8 describes the helmet of salvation in connection with the hope of

salvation.

▪ The helmet protects us against discouragement, realizing that not only are we already saved, but that we will be saved as long as we serve as Triumphant God

▪ The Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God▪ The Spirit of God, through the inspiration of Scriptures, provides us with an offensive

weapon, the Word of God

▪ Just as Jesus wielded the Sword of the Spirit, combating Satan in the wilderness

▪ Praying with all Prayer – Provides the spiritual strength we need to operate in this armor and fight with the weapons God has provided▪ Jude 1:20 says also “praying in the Holy Ghost,” builds our faith as prayer aligns us with

the Father’s will and purpose.

2nd Timothy 1:7: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Amplified version:

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given

us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

2nd Chronicles 15:1-5:

And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: 2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be

found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. 3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a

teaching priest, and without law. 4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought

him, he was found of them. 5 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in,

but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.

▪ Last Week, we talked about the spirit of this age and the course of this world

▪ We said that this course and the spirit is Anti-God

▪ Because of this, the world is in chaos like never before

▪ We are having wars and rumors of wars as Jesus described in Matthew 6

▪ So much adversity, anger, fightings among ourselves

▪ Chaos in our environment, families falling apart, while the church is compromising

▪ Without a “teaching priest” meaning the Word of God is not being preached properly in many churches and communities

▪ “The priests’ teaching role was vital to the moral and spiritual quality of national life (cf. e.g. Leviticus 10:11; Deuteronomy 33:10; Malachi 2:7; 2 Chronicles 17:7-9), but when it was neglected, the truth about God declined and the fabric of covenant society was undermined.” (Selman)

▪ King Asa took “Courage” – He could not respond with a spirit of “timidity”▪ If things are not right in your life, household, church, or community, you cannot respond with a spirit of fear.

Fear has torment (1st John 4:18), BUT A LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER CAN REMOVE FEAR FROM OUR LIVES AND WE CAN RESPOND WITH LOVE, POWER, AND A WELL DISCIPLINED MIND

▪ Just as David “encouraged” himself in the Lord – Asa called upon the Spirit of God to empower, strengthen, give him courage, and align himself with God

▪ In order to restore “order” he had to first “order himself”

▪ King Asa also “renewed the altar” – He reestablished worship in his kingdom

▪ The Scripture also says the “people gathered with him” when they saw his courage and commitment – Don’t expect your family, your church to follow you if you are not committed and sound▪ Vs 12: And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with

all their soul

▪ NLT: vs 15: All in Judah were happy about this covenant, for they had entered into it with all their heart. They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. And the Lord gave them rest from their enemies on every side.

▪ No nation came to make war with them – vs. 19

Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish (lose restraint); but he

who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

• The “WORLD” uses fear to manipulate us and cause us to behave in such a way that is contrary to God’s

will for us

• Even “Religion” uses fear to create dependence upon the church rather than God

Psalms 50:23 - Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of

God.

▪ To the person who “prepares the way” by aligning one’s life to God’s principles and Word, allows God opportunity to show one His saving power

▪ Interesting that this begins with a pure praise life

▪ You can’t experience God’s delivering power without a submitted life unto God and by allowing Him to show you His salvation

▪ God gave them peace round about – Remember the fact that “God Gives.”(2Chronicles 15:15)▪ For God has not given us - This phrase reiterates again Who the gift is not from.

▪ Fear has torment – It “TAKES” us out of faith and from trusting in God

▪ “Spirit of Timidity” - means lack of mental or moral strength, timidity (lacking courage, self confidence, boldness or determination). A shameful fear that is generated by weak, selfish character

▪ If you are finding yourself in fear, then consider whether or not you are finding yourself in the face of God.

▪ Consider what you are trusting in if you are struggling with fear

▪ The path to a sound mind is rejecting what Satan provides and accept what God gives

▪ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18)

▪ Did you know that what you think affects your life? When you think evil things you are tempted by evil things. But when your mind is clean, you are able to “think straight”; you are able to make right decisions, and enjoy the peace of God.

▪ Fear results from a pattern of negative thinking and mindset. There is also a “spirit of fear”

▪ While fear is essential as a survival technique – fight or flight, however, when people live in constant fear, whether from physical dangers in their environment or threats they perceive, they can become incapacitated by fear

▪ Impact of Constant Fear▪ Physical health. Fear weakens our immune system and can cause cardiovascular damage,

gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, and decreased fertility. It can lead to accelerated ageing and even premature death.

▪ Memory. Fear can impair formation of long-term memories and cause damage to certain parts of the brain, such as the hippocampus. This can make it even more difficult to regulate fear and can leave a person anxious most of the time.

▪ Brain processing and reactivity. Fear can interrupt processes in our brains that allow us to regulate emotions, read non-verbal cues and other information presented to us, reflect before acting, and act ethically. This impacts our thinking and decision-making in negative ways, leaving us susceptible to intense emotions and impulsive reactions. All of these effects can leave us unable to act appropriately.

▪ What is this Power?▪ The Greek word uses “dunamis” which means “explosive power”

▪ For the Hebrew text, “Power” takes a more comprehensive meaning (Skip Moen)▪ lo hassiyr. This means not lacking, not being deficient or not having poor quality.

▪ Hayil is used to describe strength, wealth or an army. This is influence, whether financially, numerically or militarily. By the way, the same word is used to describe judging righteously.

▪ In the days where Jews were being persecuted, power was also linked to “influence” where one has the ability to ensure that one’s needs were met

▪ Power means being able to move at your own will

▪ Power also dealt with the removal of guilt so that one can act freely

▪ Life is still terrifying. Bad things can still happen. You are still not in control.▪ Fear causes instability – It can lead us to be doubleminded and uneasy

▪ God’s power does not change the structure of consequences in the fallen world. Power does not replace fear. Power overcomes fear.

▪ The fearfulness that resides in my soul is simply part of the human condition. As long as I am in this world, I will experience fear. But, as Jesus said, “Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.”

▪ God’s Power is God’s gift.

▪ Someone defined “Fear” as False Evidence Appearing Real.

▪ The feeling of fear is real, but the evidence that supports the fear is false.

▪ I really feel it, but it has no substantial reality to it. That’s because God is in control

▪ Proverbs tells us that wisdom, understanding and instruction all go together to bring us into alignment with the character of God.

▪ It is not simply mental activity – Sound mind comes from the word, “sophronismos”▪ A Sound mind is “spirit” empowered discipline to behaved proper under stressful

circumstances

▪ Wisdom (hokma) is about right action.

▪ Understanding (bine) is about distinguishing good from evil (and making the right choices)

▪ Instruction (musar) is about correction and chastisement when necessary.

▪ All of these ideas are present in the Hebrew view of a sound mind. None of them are primarily about thinking.▪ Even in the midst of chaos and fear, God gives us a gift to discern, direct our actions, and

correct faulty thinking and actions

▪ God gives us a spirit that reveals right behavior, correct moral discernment and necessary chastisement. God shapes how we live and what we do, not just what we think.

▪ Knowledge is not my problem. Acting is my problem. So many times we know exactly what we should do. We just don’t do it. God gifts us with sophronismos so that we will be able to execute obedience.