In Ephesians 4, Paul listed some of the strongholds; land we
gave up that needs to be reclaimed and this battleground has to do with our
thought life! Our thoughts are so
important. I am in the midst of a
study on strongholds. It has led me to further
study the thoughts we think and how these thoughts impact us so deeply. Briefly consider what the Apostle Paul says
in Ephesians 4, and then follow the two sermon series called Strongholds and
Thoughts that Transform.
Intellectual Foolishness (4:17-18) – futility of
their minds, understanding darkened It means that no discernment or wisdom is
found within them. They are alienated
from the life of God. Heaven seems as
brass. Blindness of their heart has
deceived them. Why? Because of futile thoughts!
Greed and Impurity (4:19, 22) – speaks of
uncleanness. No longer are they
bothered by the filth of society. They
have become insensitive to the sinful ways not only of others but themselves. Deceitful lusts have become their
obsession. Discrete and impurity has led
them with an understanding appetite for evil.
Dishonesty (4:25) – (the idea is one of lying)
Paul basically says to the church stop lying! Stop it, right here, right now! It has no place in the Christian's life or
heart. Satan wants to get into the area of deceit and
if he can get you to lie, he can build a stronghold in your life!
Uncontrolled Anger – (4:26)
Paul warned against a bad temper and unjustified anger. Anger can truly be a stronghold. There is anger, which is righteous anger. See
Mark 3:5 John 2:13-17. As followers of
Christ are anger must be that of righteous indignation, and not an expression
of personal pride, were sinful motives. Notice
how quickly a stronghold can develop:
“...do not let the sun go down while you're still angry.” This speaks volumes to me concerning the need
to swiftly deal with our thoughts in a godly manner.
Unforgiving Spirit -(4:26, 32) - wrath (also note 2
Cor 2:10-11)
He says that our anger can move from just being upset to a
settled wrath and it can do so in a hurry.
The only remedy we possess is to be kind to one another and
tenderhearted to one another in forgiveness just as Christ has been to us. Forgiveness is a fundamental Christian virtue
because it can destroy the enemy's foothold.
Stealing (4:28) –
Instead of robbing others for the fruit of their labor,
Christians are to work for their own living.
Paul’s point is simple: You
should work so you can give to the needy!
Do you know why there are so many needy people around us? Why are there so many needy people in our
community and world? It is because the
church of Jesus Christ is so stingy.
{Did I just write that?}
Laziness (4:28)
The Christian is never to be ashamed or afraid of hard work;
it is the duty of all of us. The
Christian motive for earning is not merely to have enough for oneself and one's
own family. We should not work merely for our own comforts and luxuries, but to
have in order to give to the needy.
Christian philosophy of labor is lifted far above the thought of what is
right and fair in the economic world is listed as the place was no room for
selfishness for the motive for personal profit of all. Giving becomes the motive for getting.
When you give place to the devil the devil will enslave you
with a stronghold. The devil wants to
so blind you that you think you are doing very well, all he wants is one place
of operation in your life and he will take it knowing that one day all the other
territory will fall.
Satan builds a fortress, a pattern of thinking that only the
power of Jesus and the blood of Jesus can overcome.
No comments:
Post a Comment