How To Drop Negative Thinking
Ephesians 4:17-23
Every event in our life is attached to a story. Some stories are great! Some stories are reminders of hurt. The story of hurt from past events often keeps us from living in the future that God has for us. How do you ‘drop it’ to move forward? This week, we are discussing the idea that the only way to change your feelings is to change your thought patterns.
1. What stood out to you in the message this week?
2. Read Ephesians 4:17. Gentiles live without God involved in their lives. How do you suppose Christ followers live without God involved in their lives?
3. Read Ephesians 4:18. Paul is saying that separation from God begins through the hardening of our hearts. Share some examples of how a hardened heart might affect one's perception of God and spiritual matters. What steps can you take to prevent the hardening of your heart toward God, ensuring an open and receptive spirit?
4. The tragedy is that we can’t live in the fullness of all God has for us if we are separated from the life God has for us. What is the difference in facing a situation knowing that God is sovereign and in control or feeling hopeless about life after watching the evening news?
5. Read Romans 12:2. Our thoughts and beliefs define our identity; you feel a certain way about yourself based on your thoughts and beliefs. Often, our thoughts and beliefs are based on lies. How can we identify the lies that we believe about ourselves?
6. Think back over your life. Can you recall a time when your heart was hardened towards God (living as if God does not exist)?
7. Have you ever seen God do something awesome for the wrong person? What lie can come with that, and what feelings follow? How does this turn out to be destructive in your own life?
8. If your life is moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts, are you excited about where your thoughts are taking you? How can you identify and challenge the lies you believe about yourself, especially those that hinder your self-esteem and instill fear?
9. Read Ephesians 4:22-24. To change how we feel, we need to change the thought patterns in our lives. Here's how the renewal process works: a) The Holy Spirit brings the truths of God’s word into our minds, and b) We rewrite the story we tell ourselves by believing it and applying it. How would you tell a friend to renew his/her mind?
10. Read Philippians 4:8. Every time you have a thought that brings you down, lowers your self-esteem, or makes you fearful and hesitant, there are questions to ask yourself. The following questions help us see if these thoughts are from God or not.
- Is it true
- Is it helpful?
- Is it worthy of praise?
How might incorporating these questions into your daily reflections help you maintain a mindset aligned with God's principles?
11. Read 2 Corinthians 10:5: "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." What ability do we have in Christ? What does that mean to you?
Pastor James concluded his message by saying we need to, “Rely on Christ to author your story.” Here are the verses he shared that remind us of some of the promises we get from Scripture.”
• "I am deeply loved by God, for Christ died for me even while I was a sinner." - Romans 5:8
• "I am fearfully and wonderfully made, a marvelous work of God." - Psalm 139:14
• "I am granted wisdom by God when I ask, for He gives generously without finding fault." - James 1:5
• "I am saved by grace through faith, a gift from God, not by my own doing." - Ephesians 2:8
• "I am alive with Christ, loved and shown mercy by God, even in my imperfection." - Ephesians 2:4-5
• "I am known and understood by God; He perceives all my thoughts and ways." - Psalm 139:1-2
• "I am protected by God's unfailing love and mighty power." - Psalm 91:1-4
• "I am precious and honored in God’s sight, loved dearly by Him." - Isaiah 43:4
• "I am God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to fulfill the good works He prepared for me." - Ephesians 2:10
• "I am completely forgiven and purified from all unrighteousness when I confess my sins, for God is faithful and just." - 1 John 1:9
• "I am set free in Christ, released from bondage and granted new life." - John 8:36
• "I am a new creation in Christ; the old has gone, and the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17