How to Hear God Over Your Own Thoughts Every Day

Summary

The script explores the internal struggle between the old and new natures within a believer, highlighting the emotional toll of trying to live a righteous life by sheer willpower. It discusses the conflict between one's sinful nature and the desire to follow God's will. The solution, according to the script, is not willpower but the Holy Spirit's power working within a person. Key steps for overcoming the internal battle include deepening one's understanding of Christ, confronting lies believed about oneself, and declaring struggles to others for support and accountability.

Takeaways

• 😀 The emotional toll of trying to live a righteous life through one's own power is exhausting and leads to burnout.
• 😀 Christians struggle with two natures: the old nature (the flesh) and the new nature given through Christ. These natures are in constant conflict.
• 😀 Willpower alone is not enough to overcome the battle with the old nature; knowledge and effort don't guarantee lasting change.
• 😀 The Apostle Paul describes the agony of this internal conflict, feeling defeated by his old nature even though he desires to do good.
• 😀 The key to victory is recognizing that the answer to this battle is not a principle, but a person: Jesus Christ.
• 😀 To win the battle against the old nature, we must deepen our understanding of Christ and make Him the Lord of our lives, not just a resident.
• 😀 The idea of 'freedom from this body of death' illustrates the ongoing struggle with sin, akin to carrying around the decay of our past mistakes.
• 😀 Detecting and disarming the lies we believe, whether from Satan or ourselves, is crucial for overcoming self-defeating behaviors.
• 😀 Deception, especially self-deception, is the root cause of many personal struggles. To overcome them, we must stop lying to ourselves and face the truth.
• 😀 Sharing our struggles with another person, an accountability partner, is a vital step in healing and breaking free from destructive patterns.
• 😀 True victory comes when we stop relying on our own power and instead allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, empowering us to live as Christ intends.

Q & A

What is the main struggle described in the message?

The main struggle is the inner battle between the believer's old nature, which is sinful and self-centered, and the new nature received through faith in Christ, which desires to do what is right.

Why is willpower alone not enough to overcome the old nature?

Willpower is not enough because human strength cannot defeat the old sinful nature. Real change requires the power of the Holy Spirit working within a believer, not just personal determination or knowledge.

What does Paul mean by 'the body of death' in Romans 7?

Paul uses the phrase 'body of death' to illustrate the burden of sin. In Roman times, a murderer could be chained to the corpse of their victim, symbolizing the weight and decay of sin that one carries until freed by Christ.

What is the first step in God’s battle plan for victory over the inner conflict?

The first step is to deepen one’s understanding of Jesus Christ—knowing not just who He is, but what He accomplished on the cross and allowing Him to be the Lord, or 'president,' of one’s life.

What does it mean for Jesus to be 'president' rather than just 'resident' in one’s life?

It means that Jesus should not merely occupy a place in one’s life but should lead it completely—making Him the CEO, the one in charge of all decisions and actions.

How does deception play a role in a believer’s ongoing struggle with sin?

Deception, whether from Satan or self-deception, causes believers to minimize or rationalize sin. The message emphasizes that every self-defeating act is based on a lie that must be exposed and replaced with truth.

What is the second step to overcoming the inner battle according to the message?

The second step is to detect and disarm the lies one believes—recognizing self-deception and Satan’s falsehoods and confronting them with the truth of God’s Word.

Why is confessing one’s struggles to another person important?

Confession to another believer provides healing and accountability. While confessing to God brings forgiveness, sharing with another person helps in actual change and recovery through mutual prayer and support.

What distinguishes Romans 7 from Romans 8 in the context of victory and defeat?

Romans 7 depicts a defeated Christian life focused on 'I, me, and my,' while Romans 8 portrays victory through reliance on the Holy Spirit, who is mentioned repeatedly as the source of power and transformation.

What is the illustration involving the dead seagull meant to show?

The dead seagull represents a person trying to live a good life by self-effort. Without the Spirit’s life and power, one may have all the right 'equipment' but still cannot rise or live victoriously.

How does the message suggest a believer should respond when they feel spiritually defeated?

The message encourages believers to 'give up' trying to live the Christian life by their own strength and instead let Christ live through them by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What prayer is suggested at the end of the message?

The prayer asks God to deepen understanding of Christ, reveal self-deception, provide courage to confess struggles, and empower the believer through the Holy Spirit to live a victorious new life.