Freedom to Be… (Part 5)

The Battle for the Mind
II Corinthians 10:3-5

The Freedom to Be must avoid the bondage that can occur to people, desires, drives and addictions.  The battle for freedom is not a physical battle for time, resource or position but a battle within.  The control of our lives begins in the mind.  Paul reminds us of this in our text for today.

We are freed to become the unique individual and witness God has made us to be and not be molded by others, controlled by our desires or become religious clones or victims of a belief system.

Freedom for the Christian does not mean one can be whatever they want to be but they can become what God has made them to be.

Real freedom only provides potential for victory, not protection from failure.

Freedom’s Guide is the Holy Spirit.   Galatians 5:16-17

The mind is the line of scrimmage in your life, and whoever controls that controls your life.

I. Satan Wants To Capture Our Minds - 2 Corinthians 11:3

·      The devil wants to capture, control, and corrupt the minds of men.

·      Satan knows if he can get us to think wrongly he can push us to live wrongly.

·      The devil does not care if you are religious, compassionate or intelligent as long as you are not Spirit-led.

II. The World Wants To Contaminate Your Mind - Ephesians 6:12

A. Satan darkens the mind of the sinner. - 2 Corinthians 4:4

·      Those apart from the Spirit of Truth cannot understand spiritual truth. 1 Corinthians 2:14

·      Those apart from the Spirit of Truth hate spiritual truth. John 3:19-20  

B. Satan defiles the mind of the saved. - I Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 2:1-2

III. Understand the Damage of Chemicals on the Brain - Proverbs 23:29-35  MSG

·      Drugs cause “Mind” Alteration not just “Mood” Alteration.