L M ife essage N otes
ThinkDifferent Pt. 2
“What’s On Your Heart?”
October 17/18, 2009
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
“Refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing
that sets itself up against the knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and
purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ,”
2 Corinthians 10:5 (AMP)
“… neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish
heart was darkened.”
Romans 1:21 (KJV)
“It is a question of our choice of which facts we will count upon and live by: the
tangible facts of daily experience or the mightier fact that we are now ‘in Christ’…
the matter still rests upon our making real in history what is true in Divine fact.”
Watchman Nee
“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways...”
Proverbs 14:8
“ The Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the
thoughts…”
1 Chronicles 25:9
“…The sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”
John 10:4
“Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And whatever else you
do, get good judgment.”
Proverbs 4:7 (NLT)
“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, live a life of steady goodness so that
only good deeds will pour forth... For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind
of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For
wherever there is jealousy and selfish
ambition, there you will find disorder and
every kind of evil.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is
first of all pure. It is also peace loving,
gentle at all times, and willing to yield to
others. It is full of mercy and good deeds.
It shows no partiality and is always
sincere. And those who are peacemakers
will plant seed of peace and reap a harvest
of goodness.”
James 3:13,15-18 (NLT)
“For you have been called to live in
freedom- not freedom to satisfy your sinful
nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be
summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if instead
of showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one
another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you
won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do
evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us
desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces
are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this
conflict. But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer
subject to the law.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce
these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful
pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that
everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild
parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that
anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit
in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their
sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy
Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
Galatians 5:13-25
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is
he”
Proverbs 23:7a
“A good person produces good deeds
from a good heart, and an evil person
produces evil deeds from and evil
heart. Whatever is in your heart
determines what you say.”
Luke 6:45 (NLT)
Where Do Thoughts Go?
“A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick.”
Proverbs 17:22 (LB)
How Do I Change My Thoughts?
1. Journal what you ___________.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you
into a new person by changing the way you think...”
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
2. Use biblical filters to __________ the good thoughts
from the bad thoughts.
Example: •Wisdom Filter James 3:13-18
•Spirit Filter Galatians 5:13-25
•New Life Filter Colossians 3:1-17
3. Ask what would __________ do with these thoughts?
Take every thought captive before it takes you captive.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
4. Gather all the ________ before you respond.
“He who answers a matter before he hears the facts,
it is his folly and shame to him.”
Proverbs 18:13 (AMP)
5. Influence those around you in a way that ___________
Jesus.
“Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe
yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and
patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person
who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what
binds us all together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of
one body you are all called to live in peace. And always by thankful. Let the words
of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his
words to teach and counsel each other…”
Colossians 3:12-16 (NLT)
Today’s message is available for $5 in the Lobby.
Growth Group Questions
Topic: Guard your heart, guard your thinking.
Key Scripture: Proverbs 4:23
1. Why is the mind the battleground for all that happens in
your life?
2. What would be the ideal filter for our thoughts and
attitudes?
3. What can I do with every thought?
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