TO KNOW AND SPEAK

Table of Contents

1. Opening Worship and God Dwelling Within Us
2. God Is Not Concerned with Getting It Perfect
3. The Truth About Prayer and Relationship
4. No Condemnation in Christ
5. The Problem with Man-Made Additions to Scripture
6. Testimonies and the Power of Focus
7. The Mind Is Wired for Good
8. Philippians 4: Living Without Anxiety
9. Guarding the Heart and Mind with Peace
10. Thinking and Speaking: A Powerful Connection
11. Instructions Without Condemnation
12. Identity: Seeing Ourselves Through Christ
13. Scientific Confirmation of Thought and Speech
14. Six Key Takeaways for Living Victorious

Opening Worship and God Dwelling Within Us

The message begins with worship, glorifying God and acknowledging His presence within believers. Pastor Leonard emphasizes that God now dwells within His people, declaring that believers are temples where God resides. This sets the foundation for understanding identity and relationship with God as something internal and personal.

God Is Not Concerned with Getting It Perfect

Pastor Leonard shares that God is not concerned with whether people “get it right.” He reflects on conversations about prayer—whether one must pray to the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit—and highlights that God is not rigid or legalistic about such things.

He illustrates this with a personal story about telling his wife that “Jesus is not all I need,” explaining that God Himself said it is not good for man to be alone. This demonstrates relationship and humanity, not rejection of God. He emphasizes that God is not offended by imperfect expressions and does not reject prayers based on technical correctness.

The Truth About Prayer and Relationship

He challenges the idea that prayers must be perfectly structured to be accepted. He explains that God is not waiting to reject prayers because they were not said correctly. This mindset, he says, comes from man, not from God.
He reinforces that much confusion and struggle in life comes from man-made rules rather than God’s nature.

No Condemnation in Christ

Pastor Leonard highlights the core truth of the Gospel:
John 3:17: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

He then connects it with Paul’s teaching:
Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus."

He explains that man has added conditions to this verse, inserting phrases like “who walk not after the flesh,” which creates confusion and conditional thinking. He emphasizes that the truth is simple—there is no condemnation for those in Christ.

The Problem with Man-Made Additions to Scripture

He explains that many teachings have been altered by human additions, which lead to guilt, fear, and misunderstanding. These additions cause believers to think freedom is conditional, when in reality it is not.
He reflects on how much of his own past struggles came from accepting man-made teachings rather than God’s truth.

Testimonies and the Power of Focus

Pastor Leonard shares his personal testimony of surviving life-threatening cancer and uses it to teach about testimonies. He explains that while testimonies are powerful, focusing too much on negative details can rewire the mind toward sickness and struggle.

He contrasts biblical healing testimonies, in which people declared, “I was blind, now I see,” without dwelling on suffering. He teaches that excessive focus on negative experiences can impact the mind and body.

The Mind Is Wired for Good

He explains that the human mind is designed for good thoughts, good beliefs, and positive focus. Constantly revisiting negative experiences works against how God designed the mind. This reinforces the need to align thinking with God’s design.

Philippians 4: Living Without Anxiety

He introduces the central passage:

Philippians 4:6-9- "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

He emphasizes that believers are instructed not to be anxious, worried, or fearful, regardless of circumstances.

Guarding the Heart and Mind with Peace

He explains that when believers turn to prayer with thanksgiving, their focus shifts from problems to God. This shift allows the peace of God to guard their hearts and minds.
He describes this peace as a protective force that keeps negativity from penetrating the mind and emotions.

Thinking and Speaking: A Powerful Connection

Pastor Leonard teaches that thinking and speaking are directly connected. What a person thinks will come out in what they say, and what they say reinforces what they think.
He explains that speaking life and truth is essential for maintaining peace and health, both spiritually and physically.

Instructions Without Condemnation

He makes it clear that his teaching is not meant to produce guilt, shame, or condemnation. Instead, it is loving instruction meant to guide believers into a better way of living.
He compares correction to adjusting a baseball swing—helpful and beneficial, not punitive.

Identity: Seeing Ourselves Through Christ

He emphasizes that God sees believers through Jesus. Therefore, believers are righteous, accepted, and loved.
He challenges the idea that “none are righteous,” explaining that through faith in Christ, believers are made righteous.

Scientific Confirmation of Thought and Speech

Pastor Leonard shares research showing that thoughts and speech directly affect physical health. He explains that negative thinking increases stress and weakens the body, while positive, compassionate language promotes healing and resilience.
He connects this scientific understanding back to Scripture, showing that God’s instructions align with how the body functions.

Six Key Takeaways for Living Victorious

He concludes with six key principles:

1. This is how God thinks about us—perfect, righteous, and good.
2. This is how we should think about others—with love and forgiveness.
3. This is how we should think about ourselves—with acceptance and righteousness.
4. Thinking and speaking are deeply connected.
5. Changing how we think and speak changes how we live and feel.
6. We may need to change what we listen to and read.

He emphasizes that avoiding negative influences—including harmful teaching—is crucial for maintaining peace and health.

We hope this article blessed you and helped you see the power of thinking and speaking in alignment with God’s truth. Share this teaching with others so they, too, can experience freedom from condemnation and walk in peace, righteousness, and victory.