"4 Key Points; 1 Main Point"

INTRODUCTION
          For this sermon series there are a few verses that we need to “keep in our back pocket” (have them readily available to be accessed and utilized). One is our key verse from last week from Philippians 4:8-9 (AMP) - “For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].”
          The proverb, “we are what we think,” is appropriate for this sermon series. That may be good or bad news, depending upon the frequency of our toxic thoughts. The best news is this, “we can take control of our thought life.” When we begin to think like Christ, then we will subsequently also commence to talk like Christ, feel like Christ, make decisions like Christ, and act like Christ, which is our goal as followers of Christ.
 
FOUR KEY POINTS
          This next verse is likewise crucial if we expect to seize control of our thought life. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NCV), “We do live in the world, but we do not fight in the same way the world fights. 4 We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments 5 and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” There is so much to unpack in these verses in order to achieve victory in our thought life. Let us dive right in!
          There are a handful of simple truths that I would like to emphasize in order to be certain we have laid the proper groundwork for our dissection of this passage.

1. According to verse three, although we live as physical human beings in the midst of a fallen world like everyone else on planet earth, we do not fight our battles in the same manner as the rest of the world without Christ. In other words, our strategies for victory are entirely different than those of the world.
2. Empowered by Christ and His Spirit, we as Christians do not brandish the same weapons as the world utilizes. In other words, our methods for victory are different than the world.
3. We employ spiritual weapons which are energized by the power of God.
4. These spiritual weapons are far more powerful than the weapons or methods used by the world to survive or solve their problems or succeed in life.

 
ONE MAIN POINT
These four key, foundational points clearly reveal one important consideration regarding victory over the enemy of our carnal minds. We do not gain victory in this world by employing the same methods and weapons and strategies as those who are not living for God. So, get this, if you are tackling your problems and hopelessness and melancholy and fears and anxiety and boredom and trials in the same manner as the majority of the people around you, you are doomed for failure. As a follower of Christ, why would I choose a slingshot over an M-1 Abrams tank??
Yet that is precisely the weapon of choice for most of us and is also the exact reason many of us fail to achieve victory. We are wielding the same impotent, useless weapons as those in the world that do not have the Power of God at their disposal.
           We attempt to gain victory in our relationships by wielding the weapons of anger, bickering, negativity, verbal abuse, winning others to our side, bullying, false kindness, sympathy, gossip, stubbornness, inflicting emotional pain, manipulation, estrangement (separation), the silent treatment, cutting words, using our children as weapons, money, lies, secrecy, and so forth. Folks, these are not only worldly, carnal, harmful, and selfish, but they are also ineffective.
          Most of us as Christians are wielding worldly weapons and losing. In order to triumph, though, we must toss those weapons and methods in the dumpster. This is more difficult than we might imagine. These are the weapons we have utilized for most of our lives. In order to turnover our complete arsenal we must first be convinced that the new armory is more powerful than our former cache.
         Folks, this is faith! If we truly believe the word of God, then we will accept it as truth and determine to follow it. This means that we must make some big changes to the way we see our present circumstances. This means that we must make some big changes to the way we approach our problems. This means that we must make some big changes to the way we fight our battles. This means that we must make some big changes to the way we think!
          So what do these spiritual weapons energized by God’s powerful Spirit actually accomplish? This passage lists three general, obtainable achievements. Note in verse 5 that these weapons are extremely powerful. Our word “dynamite” is derived from the same Greek word for “powerful.” Another application of this Greek word means “able or capable.” Consequently, these weapons are powerful enough to do what is intended or necessary.
          Note also that the word translated “spiritual” or “divine” when describing these weapons is the Greek word “Theo” which is the word for “God.” These weapons are used “by God” or “for God.” In other words, they come with a guarantee by God Himself. For our humanly, earthly view of this spiritual battle, “by God” is probably the most appropriate phrase. With this artillery God partners with us to actually choose the perfect spiritual weapon and deploy them at the perfect time.