It's All In Your Head | Mind Games | Digging Deeper | Week of September 18th

Pastor Dave Pretlove, Lead Pastor 

Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:18-19, 22:36-37; 

2. We believe far more lies than we ever tell. 
John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5;
2 Corinthians 10:5; Genesis 3:1-7; 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Book: Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
Podcast: "How to Stop Toxic Thoughts" by Jennie Allen

1. Pastor Dave’s message was titled, “Mind Games: It’s All In Your Head.” Was there something from this message that really brought some clarity or spoke to you personally that you would like to share?

2. If you think about something enough, it can become your reality even if it is not truth. Can you think of a time when this happened to you?

3. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. What are ways you can take your thoughts captive? Do you actively do this?

4. Why is it important to take our thoughts captive?

5. Read John 8:44. The devil has tried to mess with our thoughts and twist truth from the beginning with Adam and Eve. How can we recognize the devil’s lies?

6. Read something to think about and discuss.

Growing up, my mom would ask me and my siblings this question when it seemed like we were just blowing up in our minds. She would ask, “Do you think this might just be your evil imagination?” I would be upset that my brother was being super mean to me. I would say something like, “I know he does this on purpose because he just wants to make me suffer.” And mom would say, “Honey, I don’t think that is the case. I think that is your evil imagination.” She would also use this phrase in regard to her own thoughts. She would say something like, “I hope this is just my evil imagination, but it seems like that man might steal our cows.” Her modeling this for me has been such a gift, because it has helped me evaluate my thoughts. Our thoughts are not always truth. Sometimes they are just our “evil imagination” as my mom would say. And sometimes we meditate on these thoughts to the point that they become reality to us. That is an unhealthy place to be. It allows deception in, and this is a trick the devil has been using since the very beginning. However, a wonderful thing is, we do have the gift of ultimate truth; we have God’s Word. It is a living Word and it renews our mind and provides us with truth. We also have the Holy Spirit who guides us in all truth.

I want to share with you all a simple practice that I have to use all the time. It starts with being mindful of my thoughts. If I find myself spiraling and thinking about something negative over and over, I stop myself. I think, ‘No, I am not going to let myself think about that because I am not sure it is even true. It might be my evil imagination.” Then I try to mediate on things mentioned in Philippians 4:8. A lot of times, this looks like me thinking about things I am grateful for and thanking God for them. Then, if it is something that is really bothering me and I am not sure my perception is accurate, I will ask the Holy Spirit to please speak truth to my mind and to please show me God’s truth. I do not walk this out perfectly at all. Sometimes a whole day has passed before I realize I have let my “evil imagination” run away with me. But, being mindful that this can happen to me has helped me so much in taking my thoughts captive. I am cheering for you all. Praying that the Holy Spirit will lead you this week as you are mindful of about your thoughts and work on taking them captive.

Blessings,
Christie Braun
Adult Ministries Pastor