Well, today I’m beginning a new series that the Lord has placed on my heart. The series is called «It’s in the Air,» and ultimately my heart is this: I want you to be productive, I want you to be effective, and I want you to be accomplished—continuing to excel in what I believe is a pretty toxic season that we are currently in and entering into in our country and our world. If you take a cursory look at the news, there are so many things to be discouraged and frustrated about, leading to a great deal of toxicity in the air. However, that toxicity doesn’t undermine the fact that God has called you to do great things. Are you tracking with me? In fact, the Scripture says, «Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.» So, as it relates to this series, I’m calling it «It’s in the Air.» When I talk about air, I am referring to the reality of the atmosphere we have. Atmospheres and environments are critical and powerful, so I want you to understand how important they are. If you’re taking notes, I want you to write this down: The battle is in the air and for the air. I will explain in just a second, but the battle is in the air and for the air. So much so that in Ephesians 2:2, the Scripture describes Satan as the enemy of our soul. He is called the Prince of the Power of the Air. Isn’t it interesting? We know that the enemy of our soul is a strategic foe, and in being strategic, he has laid claim to the air. This text indicates that the air is powerful; he is called the Prince of the Power of the Air or the Prince of the Power of the Atmosphere. The enemy of our soul infiltrates atmospheres in an effort to control us. Are you tracking with me? Just tell your neighbor, «You’re going to have to stay tuned today. Stay tuned, stay tuned, stay tuned in; stay tapped in!» Yes, he’s called the Prince of the Power of the Air. You know, I was thinking when Jesus came, the Word says that He came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, remember? He said, «Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.» That word «repent» doesn’t mean just changing what you do; the fruit of repentance is indeed changing what you do, but repentance itself means changing how you think. So when Jesus comes to the earth, His only message is that the Kingdom is here—the reign and rule of God is here. If you would allow me to say, the air of God has shown up. In order for you to even recognize this is happening, you’re going to have to change your thinking because right now your thinking is being governed by the Prince of the Power of the Air. Turn to your neighbor and say, «I have contact!» Just—oh, hold on… I better not get too personal; that’s a little too personal. So let’s talk about what atmospheres are. If you’re taking more notes, write this down: Atmospheres are comprised of thoughts. You might also say, «Well, I think words create atmospheres,» and that is true, but thoughts are more powerful than words. Thoughts are more powerful than words! For even as you might say, «Well, the Bible says that death and life are in the power of the tongue,» and that is true: the tongue can build or destroy. But watch this: thinking determines reality. Thoughts are powerful. Even biology understands the power of the air. There’s a term in medicine called «airborne.» You’ve heard that before, right? It typically refers to the threat of disease or contaminants that, watch this, can’t be seen, but prevent the body from functioning optimally and can sometimes even lead to fatal situations. So even in science and medicine, there’s an understanding of the power of the air. Likewise, there are contaminants in our atmosphere affecting our mental and spiritual state, ultimately limiting us, controlling us, and keeping us from being all that we were created and born to achieve. Are you tracking with me? Turn to your neighbor and say, «The atmosphere is powerful!» These contaminants in the air affect our ability to perceive accurately and hinder us from showing up in the world appropriately. That’s why Paul educates us on our actual warfare and the powerful weapons in that war. You know where I’m going; let’s go to 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Can I teach today? Paul says, «For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.» Strongholds—I’ll come back to that word. Stronghold literally means a fortified argument, an argument that has become so fortified, it’s almost like a castle; it takes something to shatter it and break it. Or we are left living in a reality that’s not real because we have embraced or fallen victim to an argument that has been in our head and in our fathers' heads, and in our grandfathers'…
