"A State of Surveillance (Pt. 3)"
TEXT: Mal. 2:13-16; 1 Peter 3:7; Eph. 4:25-32; Isa. 58:6-9
TRUTHS:
1. Every Christian needs to learn how to identify and reject thoughts that originate from our flesh, the world, and the devil. We often will find ourselves having a thought that, if we put action behind it, will lead us away from righteousness and obedience to Christ. We cannot identify with such thoughts. Meaning, our core identity is formed through our union with Christ and not our fallen, unrighteous thoughts.
2. Christian men cannot be passive. Our culture desperately needs to see a version of masculinity that has been informed and shaped by the Word of God. The version that is primarily being offered to young males currently is either overly effeminate or overly domineering. Jesus desires to use Christian men to show young males a 'better' version of masculinity.
3. God desires that His children, especially fathers and husbands, strive to be peacemakers. Followers of Christ don't create chaos and unhealthy anger, but rather infuse environments with peace and hope. And God answers the prayers of peacemakers!
4. The way a believer speaks to, relates to, and serves their spouse is an extremely important matter. Why? Doing the above in sinful and selfish ways will hinder your prayers. And all believers should seriously and humbly consider the consequences of their prayers not being answered.
5. Contrary to popular heretical teaching, we cannot control God with our words. Practicing "name it and claim it" doctrine opens you up to deception and to the work of the enemy. The powers of darkness are aware of what we are saying and, more than likely, deliver "answers" to prayers in order to deceive people into thinking that what they are practicing is biblically true. No child of God should ever think that they can control the physical and spiritual worlds through specific phrases and feelings. We are more than conquerors through Jesus, not our own works.
6. Receiving and adhering to false doctrine makes one "drunk." And we must be sober-minded, or our prayers will be hindered.
TALK TO EACH OTHER:
1. How can a believer identify (and reject) which thoughts come from the world, the flesh, and the devil?
2. What are the 'things' that Christiam men cannot be passive about?
3. What are some practical ways for believers to be peacemakers?
4. Consider and describe what it would impact for your prayers to be hindered. What exactly would suffer as a result of such a hindrance?
5. How is this "prosperity gospel" being packaged in our current context? Is the current package different from the package it previously came in?
TALK TO GOD:
Pray as you feel led concerning the following areas:
To be peacemakers, especially in our homes
To recognize and repent of false teaching
For Christian men to be full of the Holy Spirit