My Identity in Christ – Part 6

Understanding the Conflict Within Us

Plan A — living God’s way.
Plan B — living according to our own understanding.

The more we rehearse our own plans, the less we naturally seek God’s.(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

Scripture says:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
— Proverbs 3:5–6(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

• The strength of Plan A depends on conviction — how deeply we truly trust God’s plan.
• The strength of Plan B depends on attention — how much time and energy we give to thoughts that oppose God’s truth.(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

Where Does Plan B Come From?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

The Flesh — the old patterns of thinking formed before we knew Christ.
The World — a value system shaped apart from God and influenced by the evil one.
The Devil — whom Jesus called the father of lies, constantly tempting, accusing, and deceiving.

(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down strongholds of human reasoning and destroy false arguments… We capture rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
— 2 Corinthians 10:4–5

(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

This is offensive warfare. God’s truth advances. Lies are torn down. Strongholds fall.
And thoughts are taken captive. Imagine a game of capture the flag. The objective is to take back territory occupied by the enemy. The territory in this battle is your mind. God is reclaiming how you think.

Tearing down Strongholds–(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

we need to deal with the lies that they are built out of. that’s why Paul says the second line about taking thoughts captive

Taking thoughts Captive–(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

• We capture their rebellious thoughts (Noema) and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Cor 10:5)
• Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds (Noema) of those who don’t believe. (2 Cor 4:4)
• so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes (Noema).
  2 Corinthians 2:11 – NLT
• (3) But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion (Noema) to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.
  2 Corinthians 11:3 – NLT
• (MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

Every believer is called to a renewing of the mind:

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
— Romans 12:2(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

Transformation does not begin with feelings.
It begins with thinking.

(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

when our thinking is not aligned with truth, our feelings will not reflect reality.

We must learn to recognize lies — whether they come from the flesh, the world, or the devil — and intentionally replace them with God’s truth.

(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)Recognizing Lies — Replacing Them With Truth

Spiritual growth is not just resisting sin; it is retraining belief.
The enemy plants lies. Scripture supplies truth. Transformation happens when truth is consistently believed and applied.

• 1. Lie: “I am defined by my past.”
• (flesh + shame + accusation)
• Truth: In Christ, I am a new creation. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Application: Your history explains you, but it no longer defines you.

• 2. Lie: “I have to earn God’s acceptance.”
• (worldly performance mindset)
• Truth: I am accepted by grace, not performance.“God saved you by his grace when you believed… it is a gift from God.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
• Application: Obedience flows from acceptance — it does not create it.

• 3. Lie: “I will never really change.”
• (flesh + hopelessness)
• Truth: God is actively transforming me.“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” — Philippians 1:6
• Application: Sanctification is a process powered by God, not self-effort alone.

• 4. Lie: “My worth comes from others’ approval.”
• (world system — comparison & validation)
• Truth: My identity comes from being chosen by God. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” — 1 Peter 2:9
• Application: When identity is settled vertically, you are freed horizontally.

• 5. Lie: “I am alone in this struggle.”
• (devil — isolation & discouragement)
• Truth: God is present and provides strength.“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5
  “God is faithful… He will provide a way out.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13
• Application: Isolation is a strategy of the enemy; connection is God’s design.