The digital world is more connective than it has ever been. However, because of our easy access to information and stimulation, our thoughts can become chaotic and confusing. These confusing thoughts can consume our minds and impact our habits, mental health and our faith. It can even begin to feel like our thoughts are broken when we struggle to get them back on track.

Key Takeaways

You can’t get peace without practice.

Though it was written far before the digital age, the Bible has a lot to teach us about fixing our thoughts. God’s Word instructs us to replace thoughts that discourage or distract us with thoughts that are good and true and help us to see God more clearly. This is not a quick fix, but something we can practice everyday and in all situations, especially the ones that would normally send us into a storm of negative thinking.

Instead of our own reason, we can use God’s weapons, like his word and truth, to knock down mental strongholds that are waging war in our minds. When we fix our thoughts on what is honoring to God and put into practice what we have learned we will experience the peace that God has for our minds.

Pray

Prayer is our time to talk to God. Let this prayer and Philippians 4:8-9 inspire your conversations with God this week.

Father, please forgive me for allowing what this world shows me to become my reality and consume my thoughts. I don’t want to be deceived. I want my mind to be filled with what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise. Help me keep meditating on your word, which stands forever.

I know that what I see and think is not always what is true. Please show me your way to deal with what I experience. Reveal to me how to use the weapons you gave me to resist the devil, so he flees. I want to be holy because you are holy.

Jesus you are the way, truth, and the life. Please show me where the enemy has a foothold in my life, which causes me to live by my flesh and not your Spirit. I cast down those strongholds. I repent and change my direction now in Jesus Name, amen.

Worship

Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot and praise God for his promises.

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4 NLT

• Faithfulness – Lakewood Worship
• Move of God – SEU Worship
• Deliverer – North Point Worship

Learn

This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.

Read

• Philippians 4:8-9
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
• Winning the War in Your Mind

Watch

• Book of Philippians Overview from Bible Project

Listen

• Philippians 4 from Through the Word

Reflect

Reflect on these questions during your Slot and Spot/discussions with others.

In this digital age there is no shortage of information that can influence how we think.

• Have you ever felt overwhelmed or confused by too much information?
• What has your experience been with social media, media, and/or entertainment? Would you describe it as a mostly positive or negative presence in your life? How has that affected your thoughts and habits?

What is something that has occupied your mind that you know isn’t healthy for you?

• In what ways have you tried to gain control over this pattern of thinking?
• How can you see it as an opportunity to practice shifting your thoughts to something that is honoring to God?
• Name three good and true things that you can think about instead.

Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Paul reminds us that God has some mighty weapons for us to use that break down mental and spiritual strongholds.

• Have you ever struggled to escape from a cycle of negative thinking?
  • In those instances, how do you typically try to gain control? Through your own strength or God’s?
  • Were you able to break free from that stronghold? What change did that have on your life?

Next Steps

• Take time to practice taking your thoughts to God. Commit to practicing a slot and spot every day this week. Don’t worry if you feel a little rusty. Just keep practicing and he will meet you there.
• God wants to work in and through you. Lead a J-Group in the upcoming semester and create an environment where you can point yourself and others to the God who loves us.