We focus on the chains but if we focused on the growth, the growth breaks the chains.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Galatians 5:16-18 NKJV
- We saw in Thessalonians: spirit, soul, and body
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
Handles
- Works vs. Fruits
- Spirit bears witness with my spirit.
- There’s a God side and a man side. He will guide you.
- Conscience: The voice of your spirit.
- It’s not about following “rules” – It’s about being transformed into the image of Christ.
Pruning
- Lifts up
- God prunes you through His word
- Conviction means convinced, not condemned
- Conscience: the voice of your spirit
Abiding
In John 15:5-8 we saw that:
- Forms and strengthens
- A disciple is a learner
Love
In Corinthians 13:1-13 we saw that:
- Agape. Choice. Yielding your will to His will in their life
- Gifts are no indication of maturity
- Never gonna be finished maturing until Jesus comes back
Galatians 5:24-26 NKJV
HOW TO CRUCIFY THE FLESH
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
HOW TO RENEW THE MIND
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
IDENTIFY. QUENCH. CAPTURE.
IDENTIFY
Each thought has life OR death attached to it.
Every thought, every idea, every suggestion—no matter how innocent, how simple, or how casual it appears—must be investigated.
QUENCH
- We fuel thoughts through attention.
- Quenching an attacking thought requires turning our attention away from that thought, and on to the Word of God
- The renewal of your mind through the transformative Word of God will build a foundation of Biblical truth that the attacking thoughts of the enemy can’t overcome
CAPTURE
…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
II Corinthians 10:5 NKJV
BY LEARNING HOW THOUGHTS CAPTURE YOU, YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO CAPTURE YOUR THOUGHTS