This Means War

FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

Pastor Hope Flask

October 26, 2025

Main Scriptures: John 8:31-47

Additional Scriptures: James 4:17, Jeremiah 17:9, 1 John 4:18, Psalm 51:6, John 8:12, Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:59, 61-62, Matthew 5:8

POINTS:

• ChatGPT’s response, “If I were the devil,”: convince you there is always time; “You can turn to God, just not today”, “You’re too busy”, “You’re not ready”, “Maybe later”

• Procrastination: the voluntary delay of an important task despite knowing it will lead to consequences; self-defeating behavior; an inability to manage negative moods or emotions.

• Excuses are how we deflect from the sin of omission in our lives.

• Integrity: honesty in the core of who you are.

• Breaking promises breaks you.

• Excuses: how we lessen blame that is due to us by deflecting or lying.

• We call our excuses “reasons” so that we never have to confront our self-deception.

• Excuses come in the form of “When I”, "When they”, “You made me”.

• Excuses are the walls we retreat behind.

• Excuses originate from a fear of punishment.

• You can’t say Jesus is Lord and crown your excuses.

• Light will expose the excuses we’re hiding behind.

• Blind Spots: The view of ourselves that is obstructed by our walls of excuses.

• Freedom comes from knowing the truth in our innermost being.

• Jesus is the Light who invites us to be exposed, redeemed, and made new in the covenant of His grace.

• Repentance: “Lord, shine a light on my excuses”, own our mess through confession, and let go of our excuses and cling to Christ.