Latest / Marriage Life and More and Bible Study / The Battle Within: Overcoming Mind Ruts in Spiritual Warfare - 160

Transcript

The Battle Within: Overcoming Mind Ruts in Spiritual Warfare - 160 · Marriage Life and More and Bible Study

• 0:02
  Daniel Moore: It is truly surprising how little attention we pay to what goes into our minds.
• 0:06
  Daniel Moore: We often tend to overlook the impact that our thoughts can have on our overall well-being and the direction of our lives.
• 0:13
  Daniel Moore: With approximately 500 unwanted and truesty thoughts bombarding our minds each day, it becomes evident that we are not always in control of the thoughts that arise within us.
• 0:23
  Daniel Moore: This week we revisit those ruts we talked about last week, how to overcome them and more.
• 0:30
  Daniel Moore: On this episode of Connecting the Gap, we continue our series, the Battle Within overcoming the Invisible War.
• 0:37
  Daniel Moore: We'll be back right after this.
• 0:39
  Daniel Moore: And a word from our sponsor.
• 0:40
  Daniel Moore: Be sure to visit my sponsor's website.
• 1:37
  Daniel Moore: The Acts Of Christ is there in that store.
• 2:06
  Daniel Moore: So again, you can check that out at connectingthegapnet.
• 2:09
  Daniel Moore: There's also lots more resources at the website and, of course, you can find out all the platforms we are on by surfing there as well.
• 2:16
  Daniel Moore: Well, this week we are into part seven of our series, the Battle Within overcoming the Invisible War.
• 2:24
  Daniel Moore: Last week we talked about ruts that get created in our minds and how those ruts can cause us to seem like we never get over doing the things that we don't like to do.
• 2:34
  Daniel Moore: Well, this week we're going to revisit that topic for a little bit and discuss how we can get out of those ruts.
• 2:49
  Daniel Moore: Have you ever made a solemn vow that you would stop doing something that created an irritation in your life?
• 2:55
  Daniel Moore: Maybe it was a New Year's resolution, such as maybe you made it a month and a half ago where a promise you made to yourself because you were just flat out tired of a bad habit.
• 3:05
  Daniel Moore: You know, I've had a few, and some of them I've never defeated.
• 3:09
  Daniel Moore: At times I never even started after I made that New Year's resolution.
• 3:14
  Daniel Moore: The problem is how we attack the problems.
• 3:17
  Daniel Moore: We focus on changing our behavior by making a commitment to stop doing something.
• 3:23
  Daniel Moore: Have you done that as well, or am I the only one that's ever done that?
• 3:27
  Daniel Moore: You know, many people try to quit biting their nails by using bitter-tasting nail polish or simply by telling themselves to stop doing it.
• 3:35
  Daniel Moore: However, if the root cause of this habit is anxiety or stress, simply addressing the behavior itself may not be enough to break that habit.
• 3:45
  Daniel Moore: Procrastination is a common habit that people often vow to quit.
• 3:49
  Daniel Moore: However, instead of addressing the underlying reasons for procrastination, such as fear of failure, lack of organization or poor time management skills, individuals may just attempt to force themselves to start tasks right away.
• 4:03
  Daniel Moore: Without understanding and addressing the root causes, the habit typically persists.
• 4:09
  Daniel Moore: People often say they want to quit emotional eating, where they use food to cope with negative emotions or stress.
• 4:16
  Daniel Moore: However, solely implementing strict diets or food restrictions without addressing the emotional triggers or finding healthier coping mechanisms usually leads to a relapse into the same behavior.
• 4:30
  Daniel Moore: Many smokers express a desire to quit smoking, but simply trying to quit cold turkey without addressing the psychological and physiological dependencies often leads to relapse.
• 4:41
  Daniel Moore: The habit is deeply ingrained, requiring a more holistic approach that addresses the root causes and offers alternative coping mechanisms.
• 4:50
  Daniel Moore: People often recognize the negative impact of excessive social media use and try to quit by temporarily deleting apps or setting screen time limits.
• 5:00
  Daniel Moore: However, if the root problem is loneliness, boredom or low self-esteem, simply addressing the behavior without finding healthier ways to fulfill those needs may lead to a relapse into excessive social media usage and some individuals struggle with overspending and frequently making resolutions to quit.
• 5:22
  Daniel Moore: However, if the underlying issue is emotional spending due to stress, low self-esteem or a desire to instant gratification, simply attempting to restrict spending without addressing those root causes often results in the habit resurfacing.
• 5:37
  Daniel Moore: Many people try to quit negativity and negative thinking patterns by just forcing themselves to think positively or practice affirmations.
• 5:47
  Daniel Moore: However, if the root cause is deep-rooted pessimism and resolves trauma or mental health issues, simply addressing the negative thoughts without addressing the underlying issues may result in a failure to break the habit.
• 6:02
  Daniel Moore: Excessive screen time, be it on phones, computers or TVs, can lead to various negative consequences.
• 6:09
  Daniel Moore: People may decide to quit this habit and set limits, but without addressing the possible reasons behind excessive screen time, such as escapism again, stress or lack of alternative activities, simply reducing screen time may not be very sustainable.
• 6:26
  Daniel Moore: Whatever your vow was, did you beat it?
• 6:29
  Daniel Moore: My guess is probably not.
• 6:32
  Daniel Moore: And why is that?
• 6:34
  Daniel Moore: Well, it's because behavior modification doesn't work.
• 6:38
  Daniel Moore: You don't get to the root of the problem, which is the thought that started the behavior.
• 6:42
  Daniel Moore: The problem is narrow pathway that leads to the behavior.
• 6:48
  Daniel Moore: Imagine you have a tree in your yard that you want to get rid of because it blocks sunlight or poses a safety hazard.
• 6:54
  Daniel Moore: You decide to take down a branch from the tree, thinking that removing that single branch will ultimately eliminate the entire tree.
• 7:01
  Daniel Moore: However, to your surprise, the tree continues to grow and new branches sprout in place of the one that you cut.
• 7:09
  Daniel Moore: The tree represents a bad habit you want to quit and its branches symbolize the surface level behaviors associated with that habit.
• 7:18
  Daniel Moore: By only focusing on removing a single branch, you attempt to address the habit, but the deeper roots of the problem remain untouched.
• 7:27
  Daniel Moore: Just like the tree, bad habits have underlying causes that sustain their existence.
• 7:33
  Daniel Moore: These causes can be emotional, physiological or environmental factors that contribute to the habit.
• 7:40
  Daniel Moore: Unless you dig deeper and address these root causes, your efforts will be incomplete and that habit is going to just persist.
• 7:49
  Daniel Moore: To truly eradicate the tree, you must take it down from its roots.
• 7:54
  Daniel Moore: Similarly, breaking a bad habit requires identifying and addressing the underlying issues that fuel it.
• 8:01
  Daniel Moore: By understanding the emotions, thoughts, triggers or environmental factors that contribute to a habit, you can uproot it from its source and increase your chances of permanently eliminating it.
• 8:13
  Daniel Moore: Remember, just as removing a single branch won't bring down a tree, solely targeting the behavior associated with a bad habit won't effectively break it.
• 8:25
  Daniel Moore: Imagine going to the doctor to seek treatment for a persistent cough.
• 8:29
  Daniel Moore: To your shock, the doctor reveals that your cough is not just a common cold or flu symptom.
• 8:35
  Daniel Moore: It is actually a symptom of a more serious underlying condition lung cancer.
• 8:40
  Daniel Moore: The gravity of the diagnosis hits you hard and you instinctively looked for immediate relief In a desperate attempt to soothe the cough, you grab a cough drop hoping it will alleviate the symptom.
• 8:53
  Daniel Moore: However, it is crucial to understand that the cough drop only provides temporary relief to the symptom itself.
• 9:00
  Daniel Moore: It does nothing to address the root cause, which is the cancer.
• 9:04
  Daniel Moore: In order to effectively treat the sickness and work towards recovery, it becomes vital to focus on treating the cancer itself, not merely the manifestation of the symptom.
• 9:17
  Daniel Moore: If we just say I'm going to quit yelling at the kids, or I'm going to stop isolating myself to keep from fighting loneliness, or I'm going to quit overeating, we are just sawing off a branch or taking a cough drop to solve the problem.
• 9:31
  Daniel Moore: We are ignoring the real lie that we believe and the mental rut we are falling into.
• 9:36
  Daniel Moore: We are attacking the symptom and not the source.
• 9:40
  Daniel Moore: The behavior isn't the real problem.
• 9:43
  Daniel Moore: We must remove the lie at the root of the behavior and remove the neuro pathway that leads to the rut of that type of behavior.
• 9:50
  Daniel Moore: This week we are going to learn how to get rid of the rut and dig a trench to rewire our minds.
• 9:57
  Daniel Moore: The first thing we need to do is define the difference between the two.
• 10:02
  Daniel Moore: A rut is a deep track that is created in the mud after repetitive use, taking the same path.
• 10:09
  Daniel Moore: It most generally is created unintentionally and needs repaired.
• 10:13
  Daniel Moore: A trench is a different kind of rut that is intentionally created.
• 10:19
  Daniel Moore: It has a specific purpose and addresses an existing problem.
• 10:23
  Daniel Moore: The replacement principle emphasizes that the most effective way to combat falsehood, negativity or destructive patterns in our lives is by replacing them with truth, positivity and constructive habits.
• 10:36
  Daniel Moore: Just as darkness cannot be eliminated by fighting it directly but by introducing light, lights cannot be removed by simply condemning them, but by actively embracing and living out the truth.
• 10:48
  Daniel Moore: To illustrate this principle, let's imagine living in a deep rut of deception and falsehood.
• 10:55
  Daniel Moore: This rut represents a state in which lies have taken hold, negatively impacting our thoughts, beliefs and actions.
• 11:03
  Daniel Moore: One may try to escape this rut by merely willing themselves out of it or seeking validation through social media, but these approaches often fall short in bringing about significant change.
• 11:15
  Daniel Moore: Instead, to replace the rut of lies, we must create a quote unquote truth trench.
• 11:22
  Daniel Moore: This trench symbolizes a deliberate and intentional commitment to anchoring ourselves in truth.
• 11:29
  Daniel Moore: Just as a trench is dug deeply into the ground, our pursuit of truth should be thorough and unwavering.
• 11:37
  Daniel Moore: The most powerful source of truth is found in the Word of God, which provides guidance, wisdom and a moral compass for navigating life's challenges.
• 11:45
  Daniel Moore: Embracing and internalizing the truth within sacred scriptures can help reshape our thinking, beliefs and behaviors.
• 11:53
  Daniel Moore: While social media can have its benefits, it is often filled with a multitude of voices and opinions, making it easier for lies and half-truths to thrive.
• 12:04
  Daniel Moore: Relying solely on social media for truth and God forbid Google, it can be misleading and perpetuate falsehoods.
• 12:12
  Daniel Moore: Instead, turning to trusted and reliable sources, such as spiritual text, enables us to discern truth from falsehood more effectively.
• 12:22
  Daniel Moore: By immersing ourselves in the Word of God and surrounding ourselves with the truths that impart, we replace the lies that have held us captive, allowing genuine transformation and a path towards living a more authentic and virtuous life.
• 12:38
  Daniel Moore: Psalm 11911 states I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
• 12:42
  Daniel Moore: This verse offers valuable insight into the power of God's Word as a weapon in the fight for truth.
• 12:49
  Daniel Moore: By internalizing and treasuring his Word within our hearts, we equip ourselves with a powerful tool to combat falsehood, temptation and sin.
• 12:59
  Daniel Moore: When we hide God's Word in our hearts, we commit ourselves to memorizing, understanding and internalizing its teachings.
• 13:08
  Daniel Moore: This act of hiding serves as a metaphorical weapon, an offensive and defensive tool that guards against the attacks of falsehood and sin.
• 13:18
  Daniel Moore: The more familiar we become with God's Word, the better equipped we are to discern truth from deception.
• 13:25
  Daniel Moore: It acts as a guiding light, helping us differentiate between what aligns with his teachings and what leads us astray.
• 13:32
  Daniel Moore: In times of confusion and decision-making, god's Word acts as a guiding compass, providing wisdom, counsel and direction.
• 13:41
  Daniel Moore: It offers practical insights and principles for navigating life's challenges with integrity and truth.
• 13:48
  Daniel Moore: By wielding God's Word as a weapon, we enter into spiritual warfare armed with truth, righteousness and the power of God's presence.
• 13:56
  Daniel Moore: It helps us combat the lies and temptations that seek to lead us astray and empowers us to actively live out our faith.
• 14:04
  Daniel Moore: The second tool is the rewire principle Rewire our brains and renew our mind.
• 14:13
  Daniel Moore: In last week's episode, I told you about my financial rut and the fear it would bring when I would have a trigger to put me back in that rut I had created and couldn't get out of.
• 14:22
  Daniel Moore: You know, we all have those triggers and we need solutions.
• 14:27
  Daniel Moore: The Bible provides solutions to all of those problems.
• 14:31
  Daniel Moore: What does the Bible say to my problem?
• 14:33
  Daniel Moore: Well, in Philippians 412, it says I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty.
• 14:39
  Daniel Moore: I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
• 14:50
  Daniel Moore: In Zachariah 813,.
• 14:51
  Daniel Moore: Just as you, judah and Israel have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you and you will be a blessing.
• 14:58
  Daniel Moore: Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.
• 15:02
  Daniel Moore: In Acts 2035,.
• 15:04
  Daniel Moore: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said it is more blessed to give than to receive.
• 15:16
  Daniel Moore: In 2 Corinthians 9, 8,.
• 15:18
  Daniel Moore: And God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need and you will abound in every good work.
• 15:27
  Daniel Moore: In Philippians 419,.
• 15:30
  Daniel Moore: My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
• 15:36
  Daniel Moore: From all these scriptures I put together a declaration In other words, that is what I declare to be true about the trigger I have and the rut that it puts me in.
• 15:45
  Daniel Moore: The short version of my declaration for my scriptures would be Money is not, nor never will be, a problem for me.
• 15:54
  Daniel Moore: I can be content in my situation or in any situation, because God will provide for all my needs and bless me abundantly, empowering me to help others and be a blessing to the world.
• 16:05
  Daniel Moore: For the old neural pathways we used to live in, we have to create a new neural pathway to replace it with.
• 16:13
  Daniel Moore: Let's look at some of the other scenarios we were using last week.
• 16:18
  Daniel Moore: For those that binge eat during times of trauma or when they are hurt or angry, you can use 1 Corinthians 620, john 635 and Jeremiah 1619.
• 16:28
  Daniel Moore: I declare that my worth and value are not defined by food or emotional eating.
• 16:33
  Daniel Moore: I am fearfully and wonderfully made and my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
• 16:39
  Daniel Moore: I will honor God with my body and seek His comfort and satisfaction.
• 16:43
  Daniel Moore: I will find everlasting fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the bread of life, and rely on His strength to overcome the urge to binge eat.
• 16:51
  Daniel Moore: I will turn to God in times of sadness, hurt and anger, knowing that he alone can heal and satisfy my soul.
• 16:59
  Daniel Moore: I surrender my emotional eating habits to God, trusting in His promises of peace and fulfillment found in Jeremiah 1619, where it says O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of affliction.
• 17:14
  Daniel Moore: Also, if you are old Brett, you saw yourself as a victim.
• 17:19
  Daniel Moore: You would use Romans 837, romans 831, and Romans 828.
• 17:26
  Daniel Moore: Your declaration would be I declare that I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ, who loves me no matter what challenges, obstacles or adversities I face.
• 17:35
  Daniel Moore: I am confident in the victory that is already mine.
• 17:38
  Daniel Moore: God is on my side and if he is for me, who can be against me?
• 17:43
  Daniel Moore: I believe that in all things, god works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
• 17:49
  Daniel Moore: Therefore, I trust in His divine plan and purpose for my life.
• 17:53
  Daniel Moore: I declare that every setback, every trial and every disappointment will ultimately be turned around for my benefit and for His glory.
• 18:02
  Daniel Moore: I walk in faith and confidence, knowing that nothing can separate me from the love of God, and I am assured of His constant presence and unfailing love.
• 18:11
  Daniel Moore: I declare this truth over my life, standing firm in His promises.
• 18:17
  Daniel Moore: You know, maybe your rut is lust.
• 18:18
  Daniel Moore: Your scriptures could be 1 Corinthians 618, romans 612, philippians 4-8, and 2 Timothy 2-22.
• 18:27
  Daniel Moore: Your declaration could be I declare that I will flee from sexual immorality and refuse to let sin reign in my body.
• 18:35
  Daniel Moore: I will set my mind on things that are pure, lovely and worthy of praise.
• 18:40
  Daniel Moore: I will pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, running away from evil desires and pursuing a life that honors God.
• 18:48
  Daniel Moore: I am a new creation in Christ, called to walk in purity, self-control and the freedom that comes from living in obedience to God's Word.
• 18:57
  Daniel Moore: By His grace and with His strength, I declare victory over lust in Jesus' name.
• 19:03
  Daniel Moore: The whole essence is draw truth from God's Word and make it your own.
• 19:10
  Daniel Moore: Learn by studying the Bible with a desire to understand its meaning, context and the intended message.
• 19:16
  Daniel Moore: Read and reflect upon the verses or passages.
• 19:19
  Daniel Moore: Meditate on those words, allowing them to penetrate your heart and your mind.
• 19:23
  Daniel Moore: Approach your study with an attitude of humility and openness, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide you.
• 19:30
  Daniel Moore: Ask God to reveal His truth and wisdom as you delve into His Word.
• 19:35
  Daniel Moore: Pray for discernment and understanding.
• 19:38
  Daniel Moore: Consider how the truth in the verse or passage applies to your personal life and circumstances.
• 19:44
  Daniel Moore: Reflect on the areas where you may need growth, transformation or encouragement.
• 19:49
  Daniel Moore: Look for ways to align your life with the principles and teachings of Scripture.
• 19:54
  Daniel Moore: Memorize key verses that resonate with you.
• 19:57
  Daniel Moore: This helps imprint God's truth in your heart and mind, making it readily available when facing challenges or making decisions.
• 20:05
  Daniel Moore: You can also do this by placing Scriptures in places where you can see them if you need to.
• 20:11
  Daniel Moore: Repetition will dig your trenches deeper and deeper until your new pathway will be easier and more accessible.
• 20:18
  Daniel Moore: Doing some of this may seem strange to you, but remember it's never easy at first.
• 20:25
  Daniel Moore: Don't give up and don't get discouraged.
• 20:28
  Daniel Moore: Press in to make God's truth your truth.
• 20:33
  Daniel Moore: Going to the gym without considering nutrition is like buying a high performance car but be neglecting to fill it with quality fuel.
• 20:40
  Daniel Moore: I mean sure you may rev the engine speed down the road and feel temporarily powerful, but ultimately, without the right fuel, the car will sputter and struggle to perform optimally.
• 20:52
  Daniel Moore: Similarly, hitting the gym, pumping iron and exerting strenuous effort may give an immediate adrenaline rush and make you feel strong and invincible.
• 21:01
  Daniel Moore: However, without nourishing your body with a balanced diet, vitamins and proper hydration, your physical health will eventually suffer.
• 21:10
  Daniel Moore: But it doesn't stop there.
• 21:13
  Daniel Moore: This is what we fuel our bodies with affects our physical well-being, while we feed our minds affects our overall life.
• 21:21
  Daniel Moore: We consume a constant stream of information, ideas and thoughts that shape our mental and emotional landscape.
• 21:28
  Daniel Moore: If we nourish our minds with positive, inspiring content and engage in meaningful experiences, our mental health thrives.
• 21:36
  Daniel Moore: However, if we immerse ourselves in negativity, toxic relationships and destructive thoughts, the health of your minds diminishes, leading to a cascade of negative consequences in your life.
• 21:47
  Daniel Moore: It is truly surprising how little attention we pay to what goes into our minds.
• 21:53
  Daniel Moore: We often tend to overlook the impact that our thoughts can have on our overall well-being and the direction of our lives.
• 22:00
  Daniel Moore: With approximately 500 unwanted intrusive thoughts bombarding our minds each day, it becomes evident that we are not always in control of the thoughts that arise within us.
• 22:11
  Daniel Moore: These intrusive thoughts, lasting around 14 seconds each, can accumulate to almost 2 hours of our day spent dwelling on thoughts that we didn't consciously choose.
• 22:21
  Daniel Moore: It's as if we are passengers on a bus bombarded with unsolicited advertisements and billboards that hijack our attention.
• 22:31
  Daniel Moore: Just as we filter what we consume for our physical health, we must also actively filter and monitor the thoughts we allow to our minds.
• 22:39
  Daniel Moore: By being attentive to the content we expose ourselves to, whether through media conversations or even our own imaginative tendencies, we can ensure that our minds are nourished with positivity, growth and inspiration, rather than being swept away by the influx of unwanted thoughts.
• 22:57
  Daniel Moore: We have the power to steer the course of our minds towards more intentional and fulfilling thinking patterns.
• 23:03
  Daniel Moore: Through mindfulness, self-evaluation and consciously choosing our mental stimuli, we can create an environment in our minds that fosters well-being, creativity and personal development.
• 23:15
  Daniel Moore: We're going to take a break here for a moment.
• 23:18
  Daniel Moore: When we come back, we're going to continue this discussion this week on how we can reform these threats in our minds, using truth trenches, changing out the bad thoughts and the negative thoughts with the positive thoughts of God's Word.
• 23:32
  Daniel Moore: We'll be back right after this.
• 23:51
  chataboutjesus.com: Many people often define themselves in terms of the clothes that they wear, the things that they buy, the friends they have, the job they work or the person they date.
• 24:00
  chataboutjesus.com: God cares about each of those choices, but doesn't define you by those things.
• 24:05
  chataboutjesus.com: God looks into the heart to see who you really are.
• 24:08
  chataboutjesus.com: He knows you truly won't be satisfied unless you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• 24:14
  Daniel Moore: If you'd like a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, call or text us at 888-NEED-HIM.
• 11:31
  Daniel Moore: No-transcript.
• 25:13
  Daniel Moore: Minds and the impact of our thoughts on our lives.
• 25:16
  Daniel Moore: In Romans 8, verses 5 and 6, the apostle Paul addresses this concept, says those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
• 25:32
  Daniel Moore: The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
• 25:38
  Daniel Moore: In this passage, paul highlights the connection between our mindset and the outcomes we experience in life.
• 25:46
  Daniel Moore: He emphasizes that when our minds are preoccupied with fleshly desires, we align ourselves with destructive patterns and detrimental consequences.
• 25:55
  Daniel Moore: Conversely, when we align our minds with the desires of the Spirit, we cultivate a mindset that leads to life and inner peace.
• 26:02
  Daniel Moore: This biblical principle underscores the importance of being intentional about what we expose our minds to.
• 26:09
  Daniel Moore: If we consistently immerse ourselves in negative, toxic and worldly influences, our thoughts will naturally tend to reflect those influences, leading to negative attitudes, choices and outcomes.
• 26:22
  Daniel Moore: On the other hand, if we deliberately focus our minds on things that are uplifting, noble and aligned with the teachings of the Spirit, we cultivate a mindset that promotes life, positivity and an awesome inner peace.
• 26:36
  Daniel Moore: Just as the Law of Exposure suggests, the thoughts we allow into our minds will ultimately come out in our lives, shaping our attitudes, our actions and the impact we have on ourselves and others.
• 26:48
  Daniel Moore: We need to be diligent about what we allow into our minds.
• 26:52
  Daniel Moore: What consumes our minds controls our lives.
• 26:57
  Daniel Moore: So I live in some declarations that I've made about myself.
• 27:01
  Daniel Moore: Number one according to Psalm 13914, I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
• 27:07
  Daniel Moore: According to Colossians 312, I am chosen and loved by God.
• 27:11
  Daniel Moore: According to Ephesians 1-7, I am forgiven and redeemed through Jesus Christ.
• 27:17
  Daniel Moore: According to John 1-12, I am a child of God.
• 27:21
  Daniel Moore: In 2 Corinthians 5-17, I am a new creation in Christ.
• 27:26
  Daniel Moore: In Romans 837, I am more than a conqueror through Christ who strengthens me.
• 27:31
  Daniel Moore: In Ephesians 1-3, I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
• 27:37
  Daniel Moore: In 1 Peter 4-10, I am a vessel of God's love and grace to others.
• 27:43
  Daniel Moore: In Acts 1-8, I am capable and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
• 27:48
  Daniel Moore: In James 1-5, I am guided and directed by God's wisdom.
• 27:53
  Daniel Moore: What do I do with these statements?
• 27:56
  Daniel Moore: Well, I meditate on them by writing, thinking and confessing these daily to myself, replacing those ruts in my mind with personally dug trenches to fix the ongoing problems in my life.
• 28:08
  Daniel Moore: I am allowing God to renew my mind with His Word.
• 28:12
  Daniel Moore: I identify the rut, create a new trench of truth with God's Word, write a declaration, I think it and I confess it until I believe it.
• 28:22
  Daniel Moore: This isn't an easy thing to do and it will take some work, but by the grace of God you can overcome.
• 28:31
  Daniel Moore: When you change your way of thinking, it will change your life.
• 28:36
  Daniel Moore: In the small town of Evergreen there was a man named David.
• 28:39
  Daniel Moore: David was a highly respected Christian known for his leadership qualities and his dedication to serving his community.
• 28:46
  Daniel Moore: He served as a church leader and held a prominent position on the church board.
• 28:51
  Daniel Moore: People looked up to David as a role model, and his charming personality and charismatic presence made him well liked by many.
• 28:58
  Daniel Moore: However, david had a secret burden that he had kept hidden behind closed doors when he began, innocently enough, with small lies, little white falsehoods that he thought would not harm anyone, he started exaggerating his accomplishments or withholding certain truths to create a better image of himself.
• 29:18
  Daniel Moore: Over time, these small lies grew more significant, intertwining into his everyday life.
• 29:25
  Daniel Moore: Unfortunately, as the web of deceit expanded, david's authenticity and integrity began to crumble.
• 29:31
  Daniel Moore: With each lie, guilt weighed on his conscience.
• 29:34
  Daniel Moore: Seeking refuge from his inner turmoil, he jumped into an online world of pornography, hoping to escape the reality of his own hypocrisy.
• 29:43
  Daniel Moore: This lustful habit morphed into an addiction, consuming his thoughts and distorting his view of intimacy and love.
• 29:50
  Daniel Moore: Unbeknownst to David, his secret life started seeping into his marriage.
• 29:57
  Daniel Moore: His wife, sarah, noticed a change in his behavior, a growing distance and emotional unavailability.
• 30:03
  Daniel Moore: She confronted him, sensing something was amiss, but David skillfully lied his way out of every situation.
• 30:10
  Daniel Moore: Sarah, trusting her husband, chose to believe his words.
• 30:14
  Daniel Moore: Unaware of the darkness that clouded David's soul.
• 30:17
  Daniel Moore: However his lies tend to do, they eventually unravel.
• 30:22
  Daniel Moore: One night, david's secret world collided with reality and he was found out.
• 30:27
  Daniel Moore: The weight of his duplicity crushed him.
• 30:30
  Daniel Moore: As his wife discovered the extent of his infidelity and his addiction to pornography, the pain and betrayal she felt was indescribable, leaving their once stable and loving marriage broken and fragile.
• 30:42
  Daniel Moore: Shattered by the devastation that he had caused, david reached his breaking point.
• 30:48
  Daniel Moore: He longed for redemption, desperately seeking reconciliation with his wife and, most importantly, with God.
• 30:55
  Daniel Moore: Recognizing that he had allowed little lies to grow into monstrous ones, he resolved to face the consequences of his action and start the difficult journey of rebuilding trust and restoring the honor he had lost.
• 31:08
  Daniel Moore: The question is, how did David get to this point?
• 31:12
  Daniel Moore: It all comes back to one thing that created a retina's life Lies.
• 31:18
  Daniel Moore: We've talked some about the armor of God in previous episodes this week.
• 31:23
  Daniel Moore: We gird our loins with truth.
• 31:25
  Daniel Moore: In ancient Rome, soldiers would gird their loins with truth as they prepared for battle.
• 31:30
  Daniel Moore: This phrase, often mentioned in biblical texts such as Ephesians 6-14, carries a metaphorical meaning that holds significance for both the spiritual and physical aspects of a soldier's life.
• 31:43
  Daniel Moore: In a physical sense, guarding one's loins involves securing the flowing robes or tunics worn by the Roman soldiers.
• 31:51
  Daniel Moore: They would gather the loose fabric and tuck it up into their belts, allowing for greater freedom of movement during combat.
• 31:58
  Daniel Moore: By doing so, they ensured that nothing hindered their ability to fight effectively and maneuver swiftly on the battlefield.
• 32:06
  Daniel Moore: When the battle cry sounded, the soldier would raise his robe and tuck it into his belt, whereas sword would hang and his shield would be attached.
• 32:15
  Daniel Moore: The belt was central and a lot depended on it being secure.
• 32:20
  Daniel Moore: During colder seasons, the Roman soldiers faced additional challenges.
• 32:25
  Daniel Moore: Instead of girding their loins to increase agility, they would sometimes let their robes hang down to provide warmth and protection against the elements.
• 32:32
  Daniel Moore: In this case, the purpose was to ensure their physical well-being and endurance in harsh weather conditions.
• 32:40
  Daniel Moore: However, beyond its literal meaning, girding the loins also carries a metaphorical significance related to truth and readiness.
• 32:47
  Daniel Moore: In a spiritual context, girding one's loins with truth symbolizes the act of preparing oneself morally and mentally for the battles of life.
• 32:56
  Daniel Moore: Just as a soldier secures their garments to enhance their combat skills, girding one's loins with truth involves embracing honesty, integrity and moral principles as a foundation for navigating life's challenges.
• 33:10
  Daniel Moore: Truth here represents not only the absence of deception, but also the embodiment of authenticity and righteousness.
• 33:18
  Daniel Moore: By aligning oneself with truth, individuals are better equipped to face and overcome adversities.
• 33:25
  Daniel Moore: This commitment to truth enables them to move freely, without the burden of deceit or dishonesty, and grants them the agility and flexibility needed to make decisions rooted in wisdom and discernment.
• 33:39
  Daniel Moore: Truth serves as a vital weapon in our arsenal against Satan's number one tactic deception.
• 33:44
  Daniel Moore: Throughout history, satan has consistently employed deceit as a means to lead humanity astray and separate us from our relationship with God.
• 33:52
  Daniel Moore: From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden, satan approached Eve with cunning words, distorting the truth and sowing seas of doubt regarding God's command.
• 34:02
  Daniel Moore: By questioning and distorting reality, he enticed Eve to believe falsehoods, ultimately leading to disobedience and the entrance of sin into the world.
• 34:11
  Daniel Moore: Recognizing this pattern, the Apostle Paul urged believers to put on the armor of truth to combat deception.
• 34:19
  Daniel Moore: In Ephesians 6-14, he encourages us to gird our loins with truth, emphasizing the importance of embracing and embodying God's truth as a means to counter the deceitful tactics of the enemy.
• 34:32
  Daniel Moore: When we internalize and uphold God's truth, we are equipped to identify and challenge the lies and deceptions that Satan presents.
• 34:40
  Daniel Moore: The truth becomes a shield, guarding our minds, hearts and souls from succumbing to the cunning schemes meant to lure us away from God's intended path.
• 34:50
  Daniel Moore: In this spiritual battle, let us remember that truth is not only a defensive weapon, but also an offensive one.
• 34:57
  Daniel Moore: As followers of Christ, we are called to be ambassadors of truth, shining a light in a world darkened by deception.
• 35:05
  Daniel Moore: Through our words, actions and lifestyles, we can boldly bear witness to the truth and dispel the lies perpetuated by Satan.
• 35:14
  Daniel Moore: As Christians, satan relentlessly tries to deceive us with various lies in an attempt to undermine our faith in relationship with God.
• 35:22
  Daniel Moore: Here are some common lies that Satan often uses.
• 35:26
  Daniel Moore: The first lie you are not good enough.
• 35:29
  Daniel Moore: Satan tries to convince us that we are unworthy of God's love and forgiveness.
• 35:34
  Daniel Moore: He seeks to make us doubt our worth and question our ability to be accepted by God.
• 35:39
  Daniel Moore: Satan also tells us God doesn't love you.
• 35:43
  Daniel Moore: Satan aims to distort our understanding of God's love, making us believe that his love is conditional and based on our performance or worthiness.
• 35:51
  Daniel Moore: This lie seeks to separate us from experiencing the depth of God's unconditional love and grace.
• 36:00
  Daniel Moore: Another lie you can't change.
• 36:01
  Daniel Moore: Satan tries to discourage us from seeking personal growth and transformation.
• 36:06
  Daniel Moore: He whispers that we are trapped in our flaws and shortcomings, persuading us to believe that change is impossible and that we are stuck in our old ways.
• 36:15
  Daniel Moore: Another lie you're all alone.
• 36:19
  Daniel Moore: Satan aims to isolate us, making us feel disconnected from God and from fellow believers.
• 36:25
  Daniel Moore: He wants us to believe that nobody understands us or cares about our struggles, leading us to separate ourselves from the support and fellowship of the Christian community.
• 36:37
  Daniel Moore: Another lie your past defines you.
• 36:39
  Daniel Moore: Satan seeks to remind us of our past mistakes and sins, convincing us that they define us and disqualify us from God's plan and purpose for our lives.
• 36:49
  Daniel Moore: This lie aims to hold us captive to guilt and shame, hindering our ability to move forward in God's grace.
• 36:57
  Daniel Moore: And a final lie God's promises are not for you.
• 37:02
  Daniel Moore: Satan tries to distort our understanding of God's promises, making us doubt his faithfulness and goodness.
• 37:08
  Daniel Moore: He wants to steal our hope and convince us that the abundant life and blessings promised in Scripture are way beyond our reach.
• 37:16
  Daniel Moore: Well, the remedy for this is the belt of truth.
• 37:20
  Daniel Moore: Where has your belt slipped?
• 37:23
  Daniel Moore: In what ways are you playing games, blaming others and hiding from God?
• 37:30
  Daniel Moore: When we reach a point in our lives where we genuinely acknowledge our faults and shortcomings before God and open our hearts to Him with honesty and sincerity, we can experience a life changing encounter with a loving and forgiving Father.
• 37:43
  Daniel Moore: God's nature is one of grace and mercy, and he longs to provide us with a sense of peace and help us overcome the persistent negative patterns in our minds.
• 37:53
  Daniel Moore: Through this humble surrender and authentic confession, we allow God to work in our lives.
• 37:59
  Daniel Moore: He can begin to heal our wounded hearts, mend our brokenness and guide us toward a path of transformation.
• 38:06
  Daniel Moore: God's love is unconditional and His forgiveness is boundless.
• 38:11
  Daniel Moore: When we come to Him with true repentance, he offers us forgiveness and sets us free from the burdens of guilt and shame.
• 38:18
  Daniel Moore: In this intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father, we can find truth and peace.
• 38:24
  Daniel Moore: God's presence can fill the empty spaces within us and bring a sense of wholeness and restoration to our minds.
• 38:32
  Daniel Moore: Through prayer, meditation on His Word and seeking His guidance, we allow Him to shape our thoughts and align our thinking patterns with His truth.
• 38:41
  Daniel Moore: As we submit ourselves to God's loving care, he can help us break free from the negative ruts in our minds and replace them with thoughts of hope, joy and positivity.
• 38:51
  Daniel Moore: In this journey of honesty and vulnerability with God, we discover that he not only forgives and restores us, but he also equips us with His peace.
• 39:02
  Daniel Moore: This peace surpasses human understanding and guards our hearts and minds, as is stated in Philippians 4, verse 7.
• 39:09
  Daniel Moore: Trusting in God's faithfulness, believing in His promises and embracing His grace, we can find truth, strength and transformation.
• 39:20
  Daniel Moore: If you find yourself today living in a rut, if you know that you are not right with God maybe you knew Him at one point in time, but you slipped away or maybe you've never even experienced a relationship with God I invite you to go visit my website at ConnectingTheGapnet.
• 39:36
  Daniel Moore: There's a page there on how to get saved.
• 39:38
  Daniel Moore: There's just a few simple steps.
• 39:40
  Daniel Moore: All it takes is believing in Jesus Christ, asking forgiveness for your sins and accepting that redemption that he gave when he died on that cross.
• 39:48
  Daniel Moore: After you've done that, I'd love to hear from you.
• 39:51
  Daniel Moore: You can email me at Daniel at ConnectingTheGapnet or there is a contact form on the contact page.
• 39:57
  Daniel Moore: I'd love to hear your testimony or if you have any further questions about being a Christian, how to get over these ruts replacing the lies with truth.
• 40:05
  Daniel Moore: You can send me a message about that as well.
• 40:07
  Daniel Moore: If you need a Bible, let me know that I'd be happy to get you a Bible and to supply one to you.
• 40:13
  Daniel Moore: We always want to make sure that we can equip you the best that we can to be the best Christian that you can possibly be in the life that we live here with Christ.
• 40:23
  Daniel Moore: Well, I'm out of here for this week.
• 40:24
  Daniel Moore: That's going to do it for this episode.
• 40:25
  Daniel Moore: Next week we come back.
• 40:27
  Daniel Moore: We're going to have episode eight of this series, the Battle Within overcoming the Invisible War.
• 40:32
  Daniel Moore: And don't forget to visit my sponsor's website at WeAreWarriorsApparelcom and check out our merch link as well at our website at ConnectingTheGapnet.
• 40:44
  Daniel Moore: Also, one thing I wanted to drop here this week we talked a lot about Satan over the last few weeks with the previous episodes that we've been through, as we've been working our way deeper into this study on spiritual warfare, and I want to recommend another podcast to you.
• 40:59
  Daniel Moore: If you go visit Luke Taylor's podcast, he has a couple of them actually that I want to tell you about.
• 41:05
  Daniel Moore: One of them is Cross References and the other one is Weird Stuff in the Bible.
• 41:08
  Daniel Moore: Oddly enough, he and I have been on the same subject matter this year after January.
• 41:15
  Daniel Moore: His studies that he's been doing took him into a study of Satan about the same time that ours did, and so if you'd like some more in-depth information on Satan who he is, how he works in your life, luke approached a few different aspects of it that I did not touch, so if you would like to learn more about that, please check out his podcast Again.
• 41:35
  Daniel Moore: That's Cross References podcast and Weird Stuff in the Bible with Luke Taylor.
• 41:40
  Daniel Moore: So go check those out and that'll be some more resources you can have as you're trying to fight this battle and understand who Satan is, why he deceives us, why he's even here, why we have to fight this battle.
• 41:52
  Daniel Moore: Maybe all those why questions and what?
• 41:54
  Daniel Moore: Four questions can be answered between the episodes that I'm delivering here in this series and then combined with what Luke has been talking about here recently.
• 42:03
  Daniel Moore: So go check that out.
• 42:04
  Daniel Moore: Well, I'm out of here Until next week.
• 42:06
  Daniel Moore: Don't forget that God's Word never fails us.
• 42:08
  Daniel Moore: God's Word has stood the test of time and, through Jesus' death on the cross, he has connected the gap.
• 42:14
  Daniel Moore: You've been listening to Connecting the Gap podcast.
• 42:17
  Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore, the host for this podcast, and I personally thank you for listening.
• 42:21
  Daniel Moore: Each week In this world there are many disconnects that cause chaos in our lives.
• 42:26
  Daniel Moore: This podcast is births from the desire to share hope and restoration of the power of the gospel by being transparent and open in our biblical walk with God.
• 42:34
  Daniel Moore: Each week we take a few moments as we navigate God's Word and peer into other people's testimonies and encourage each other to connect the gap.
• 42:41
  Daniel Moore: We upload a new audio podcast every Thursday and a video version of it on YouTube and Rumble.
• 42:46
  Daniel Moore: We are also on the Christian podcasting app, edify.
• 42:49
  Daniel Moore: You can subscribe to our podcast on many of the available podcasting platforms, such as Apple Podcast, deezer, spotify, google Podcast, amazon Music, iheart Radio, tunein Radio and many more.
• 43:02
  Daniel Moore: We are also available on your Alexa-enabled devices.
• 43:05
  Daniel Moore: If you would like to give us feedback or would like to contact our ministry for any reason, including prayer, visit our contact page at wwwconnectingthegapnet and send us a message.
• 43:16
  Daniel Moore: We hope you are blessed by this ministry.
• 43:18
  Daniel Moore: This is a production of Connecting the Gap Ministries.