I know I have mentioned this before but felt compelled to talk about it again. We are instructed to take captive our thoughts.
2 Corinthians 10:5 New International Version (NIV)
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Have you ever asked yourself why that is?
Let me ask you this, have your thoughts ever gone to a dark place?
- You thought someone was going to do something and you prepared yourself for your responses.
- You thought someone cheated on you.
- You thought about all the bad things that were going to happen.
The other day, I was preparing myself for all the bad things that were going to happen. We were traveling and there is a lot of construction. When people approach this area, they slow way up. On the order of 15-25 miles below the posted speed limit and it just frustrates the snot out of me.
My wife asked me if my getting so worked up before we even got to the area could be the cause of my aggravation/frustration? Great question and I told her no, but it was a way to prepare me for what was to come.
This got me to thinking about us taking captive our every thought. Why did God tell us to do this? Because of exactly what I did.
If we let our thoughts take us captive, then it will lead us down a path that is contrary to God’s will for us. This is why people cheat, commit murder, hate others, steal, divorce, and generally do as they please without any regards for the consequences that follow.
Now if we take captive our thoughts and make them obedient to Christ, then we will be more inclined to do God’s will. We will not be ruled by the flesh nor will be as susceptible to Satan’s lies.
I like so many others need to change how we handle our thoughts. My thoughts I am sure, have led me astray of God’s will for me and I need to bring them back.
To take our thoughts captive:
- We need to read and study the Bible
- We need to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior
- Subject our thoughts to scrutiny and take responsibility for them
- Pray to God and ask the Holy Spirit to work in us
- Instead of instantly reacting to a problem, think it through first
- Make your thoughts focus on the right things that would please God
It is hard work to take captive of your thoughts. So do not put off until tomorrow what you can start today.