Week Ten of Our Journey To Freedom Defeating Satan and This World

Want to make a lie seem true? Say it again and again and again. Because of the world we live in today, if we arer not soundly grounded in God's word, we start to believe the world and Satan.

Transcript

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Welcome to Walking in the Living Word Ministries, a weekly podcast with your host, Pastor Mike Butrol.

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Thank you for joining us this week with Walking in the Living Word Ministries. We're on week 10 of our journey to freedom, defeating Satan and this world. And our song this week is The Truth by Megan Woods. At the end of the video, we will post a link so you can listen to it and maybe even purchase it and add it to your library. And when you hit some of these walls to uh trying to understand what is the truth. You know, you want to make a lie seem that it's a truth, then you say it again and you say it again and again because of the world we live in. And if we are not soundly grounded in the word of God, we start to believe the world and what Satan has told us. The facts don't actually matter anymore. People appear, uh repeat them so often they believe over and over and they believe them to the point they cannot determine what is false and what is truth anymore. It's important to understand what goes into the mind will become what we believe, and what that belief is what will come out of our mind. We know all this is real because we have allowed the lies to be truth. For so many years, even when we knew they were not the truth, we had heard them and repeated them so many times we started to believe them. Satan uses lies to attack our mind, to manipulate and control us. Maybe you have been there, or maybe you're there right now. Lies can lead to negative thoughts and behaviors, undermining our faith and spiritual well-being. By introducing false information, Satan aims to create emotion uh emotions and doubts that causes us to make the wrong decisions in life. And we even fear starts to come in because we're not sure what we do believe. The enemy seeks to sow confusion and build strongholds of deception, but understanding these tactics can help us stand firm in this battle against Satan and the attempts that he tries to invade our minds. Satan's attacks against us come in various forms. He uses the ungodly world, which he controls. He's to stir up fresh fleshly lust within us that tempts us to sin. He uses the unbelieving world to attempt to deceive us with worldly wisdom opposed to God's truth. He uses false Christians to try to mislead us into false gospel centered on a false Jesus. He sometimes physically affects us, our loved ones, with sickness, uh, crime, tragedy, or prosecution. Knowing that God is the sovereign ruler of the universe, we actually naturally ask, why does God allow Satan to attack us in these ways? If we will be honest with ourselves and others, we know this is the truth because Satan is controlling this world. The Bible teaches that God allows Satan a certain amount of freedom, but that freedom is always limited. Satan cannot do all that he wishes. Satan chooses to attack God's children, and his desire is always evil. According to Scripture, Satan prowls about. 1 Peter 5:8, be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. In contrast, God's design and allowing certain uh sanctatic attacks is always good. God loves his children, and we cannot blame God for what Satan does. God, our vulnerability to Satan attacks started with Adam's choice to follow Satan's lying deception and suggestions in the Garden of Eden. As believers uh experience the attacks of Satan, they can trust the truth of Romans 8, 28 through 29. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstbornborn of many brothers and sisters. You know, God is always looking out for us. But sometimes we try to fix the problems ourselves because we believe that we can handle it. You know, so attacks from Satan along with all other tribulations can actually cause believers to love God more, resist Satan more, and practice patience and grow stronger in our faith in many other ways. Have you ever had a thought pop into your head and immediately felt scared, confused, or even ashamed? Maybe it was a violent idea, a sinful temptation, or something that just didn't feel like you. Have you wondered where did that come from? Or does this mean something is wrong with me? You're not alone. I've been there and so have many other Christians. If they will be honest, they have secretly struggled with uh these disturbancing thoughts, whether it be about themselves or others. Some people begin to ask, can the devil give you thoughts? Is Satan behind this? The shorter answer to all of it is yes, but with limits. The Dayton can influence our thoughts, tempt us, and whisper little lies into our mind. But he doesn't have full control over our mind. Only God knows our heart completely, and you still have a choice in what you accept or what you reject. Satan can plant suggestions, and he may knock on the door, but he can't force his way in. You have to open the door and allow him to come through. So can Satan give you thoughts? He can plant lies, ideas, and temptations, but you decide whether to accept or reject them. Do negative thoughts come from the devil sometimes, but not always. Some negative thoughts come from our own flesh trauma or fear, lack of sleep, poor health, stress, or overthinking the situation. Let's be real. Not every bad thought is a demon. Sometimes it's just being human. But the enemy loves to jump in and make things worse. He'll add guilt, shame, and even more lies like God doesn't love you anymore, or you're too far gone. The Bible calls Satan the accuser of the brethren. In Revelation 12, 10, it says, Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, Now have come the salvation, the power in the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters who accuses them before our God day and night has been hurled down. That means he loves to throw false blame and make you feel unworthy. Sometimes our own hearts produce those thoughts because we live in a fallen world with sinful desires that come through our mind all the time. Sometimes we recognize them, sometimes they just go through and we don't even recognize them because we're not paying attention to them. It's when we pay attention that they start to grow. So it's not always Satan that causes the problem. Sometimes it's just being part of a broken uh world. Parts of us that really need to be healed. That's why spiritual growth is so important in this life. The more you renew your mind with God's word, the stronger your defenses become. The lyrics of the truth by Megan Woods reflect the internal struggle with the lies that become the truth. The song's course serves as an anchor, countering the uh lies and with foundation truths. It assists the uh identity is not defined by imperfect being imperfect or the world's standards, but by being a cherished child of God. It's not how we look at things, it's how God looks at it. And we need to start looking through his eyes. The song's things uh go deeply with biblical concepts of identity and spiritual warfare, emphasizing the importance of a divine relationship and the comfort found in God's grace. It has been demonstrated through studies and research that repeating a statement increases that statement's truth value. In other words, the more often you hear a particular statement, the more likely you are to accept that statement as being true. Satan understands this, and he uses that tactic very well, and it's one of his most dangerous weapons. Satan loves to plant lies in our mind, and he uses individuals to do his dirty work as well. Most of the time, the individual doesn't even realize that Satan is using them to help separate you from God by the lie Satan has been telling you. To understand what a lie is and what a truth is, we must have a spiritual understanding of the truth. The Bible reveals truth as a moral concept rooted in God's character. He is the God of truth, and his truthfulness embraces his steadfastness, his trustworthiness, and his eternal faithfulness. The only way we know this is by being in God's word. A spiritual understanding of truth encompasses more than being simply honest. The Bible reveals truth as a moral concept rooted in God's character. In Psalms 43:3, send me your light and your faithful care. Let them lead me, let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. See, he is the God of truth. Isaiah 65, 16. Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God. Whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God, for the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. And his truthfulness embraces his steadfastness, his trustworthiness, and his eternal faithfulness. Psalms 117 2. For great is his love towards us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. You know, most commonly do discussions of the truth do with speaking the truth. Psalms 15 2, Proverbs 12, 17. All these lay out the truth about God. You know, lying is the opposite of telling the truth. Jeremiah 9:3 says, they made ready their tongues like a bow to shoot lies. It's not by truth that they try up in the land. They go from one sin to another. They do not acknowledge me, declares the Lord. And God never lies. Titus 1:2, in the hope of eternal life, which God who does not lie, promises before the beginning of time. See, the Bible says that God is not only truthful, but he himself is the essence of the truth. The reliability and trustworthiness of his being were highly significant to the biblical writers in expressing God's truthfulness. God's word come through others, and they knew what was being spoken to them where they put it on paper for us was the truth being spoken by God. God demonstrates that he is truth in the faithfulness and dependability of his words and actions and dealings. God is not a man, so he does not lie. So he does not change his mind. Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23, 19. God's word holds truth, and we can trust everything he does. The Lord is rock solid, trustworthy, foundation for life because he's entirely reliable and consistent in his character. God's laws and instructions outline the way of truth that is meant to lead people to him, not away from him. The Bible says God's word is truth. The entirety of his word is truth. Jesus walked on this earth as fully man, but he was also fully God. So everything he spoke was the truth. Jesus Himself said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14, 6. The truth of God's word also holds sanctifying power for the believer. In his highly priestly prayer, Jesus asked the Father, make them holy by your truth. Teach them your word, which is the truth. John 17, 17. You know, since the Bible is the truth, Christians ought to study it, working hard to understand and correctly applying it to their lives. As we deepen our knowledge and insight into God's word, the truth will set us free. So what do we do when Satan and the world attacks our mind? I have found three simple steps. One number one, recognize the source. Ask yourself, is this a thought from God, from my flesh, or from the enemy? God's voice brings peace, not confusion or fear. 2 Timothy 1:7. For the Spirit of God gives us, does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and discipline. Two, reject the lie. If it doesn't line up with God's word, don't entertain it. Cast it down. Casting down uh imaginations and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10, 5. We demonstrate arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to be obedient to Christ. You know, number three, repeat the truth, speak scripture out loud, fill your mind with what God says about you. Try this one. You will keep in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. Isaiah 26, 3. I come to realize through studying God's word that I am not a bad Christian for having bad thoughts. Let me be clear. Having a bad thought does not make me or you a bad Christian. It means we're in a battle. Spiritual warfare thoughts are part of the fight that we face. Paul himself said, For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do. This is I keep on doing. Romans 17, 9. In other words, the Apostle Paul struggled. And if he struggles, we're not alone. If you're struggling with dark and unwanted thoughts, here's some good news. You don't have to stay stuck there. Here's some simple biblical ways to get rid of those thoughts. One, speak God's word out loud. The devil hates the truth. When evil thoughts come, respond with verses like John 4 7. Submit yourself then to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Philippians 2.5. In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus and keep speaking until peace returns. You can even say, I reject this in Jesus' name. Number two, praise and worship. Praise changes the atmosphere. Darkness can't stay where Jesus is lifted up high. Put on worship music, sing along, and even if you don't like it, praise silence the end. Number three, use your authority in Christ. You are not helpless. If you're saved, you have God's spirit inside of you. Speak with boldness, speak out loud. In the name of Jesus, take the authority over every evil thought. My body belongs to God. Satan in the world's lies, evil thoughts are meant to lead you away from God's truth. But just because they show up doesn't mean you're guilty or have to believe them. Let's be real. They're going to come. Satan and his evil demons will send them, and your flesh will produce them, and the world will throw them at your face. What matters most is what you do with those thoughts when they come. Martin Luther once said, you can't stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair. Don't let guilt and shame take over just because something nasty flashes through your mind on someone planet alive. Human thoughts come from several sources. Um God's spirit, he guides us into truth. Our mind, based on memories, desires, our imagination, our flesh, sinful nature. The devil, when he tries to influence or deceive us. So, in other words, our thoughts can come from God, our own mind, our flesh, or the devil. The Bible says, do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will. Romans 12, 2. Your mind is a battlefield. Renewing it daily with scripture is how you win that battle. Here's some final arguments for you to put in your battle plan. You're not alone. If your mind feels like a battlefield, you're not crazy, and you're definitely not alone. Spiritual warfare thoughts are real, but so is God's power to help you stand strong. You are loved, you're not your thoughts, you have the mind of Christ. For the Spirit of God gives us uh that does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. In 2 Timothy 1:7. We need to understand the freedom of Jesus offers a spiritual freedom from the bondage of sin. That is release from lifestyles of things that we do all the time that is wrong, that we've done them for years, and we can break those chains with the freedom that Jesus gives us. If we become disciples of Jesus, we would know the truth of our condition and the truth about Christ. And Jesus would set us free. As believers, we will be freed from our bondage and brought into the family of God. Jesus is the truth, John 14 6. Knowing the truth will set one at liberty, free from sin. Free from condemnation and free from death. Romans 6 22 8 1 through 2. Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives. Luke 14, 18. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2.16. And here's a heartfelt prayer for you. Heavenly Father, I want to thank you that my mind and all believers' minds belong to you. Help me and others to recognize lies, replace them with your truth. When the enemy whispers fear, help all of us to remember your love. When I and other believers feel overwhelmed, let your peace flood our thoughts. Give all of us strength to stand, wisdom to resist, and grace to grow. In Jesus' name we ask this, Amen. Folks, this is how we break those chains. We get in the word and we listen for God and not the world, not Satan, and our own flesh. So as you go through this week, think about how you can change the way you think, how you change your thoughts, and how you can reflect God in your mind by being in his word more. I thank you again for joining us this week in Walking in the Living Word. We look forward to seeing you next week as we continue our journey in defeating Satan in this world.

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Thanks for joining us today on this edition of Walking in the Living Word with Pastor Mike Futrol. We pray that you've been inspired and equipped to fulfill the plan that God has for your life. Subscribe to this podcast, share it with a friend, and let's partner together to walk in the living word.