Take Your Thoughts Captive

"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."
2 Corinthians 10:5

If you want to renew your mind and take back your thought life, you need to practice taking your thoughts captive and making them obedient to Jesus. What does that mean? It means we refuse to let any lies about God or negative thoughts about ourselves take up residence in our heads. Instead, with the truth of God’s Word and the power of His Spirit on our side, we go to war with the lies and the negativity by admitting what’s true, and replacing what’s false.

The thoughts that cause the most harm are the ones that are partially (or even mostly) true. Because most of us are smart enough to ignore the stuff that is obviously false. But because those thoughts are at least somewhat true, we don’t overcome them by pretending it’s all a lie. We have to have the courage to acknowledge the part that is true, and the wisdom to replace whatever isn’t.

For example, if you often find yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough and because of that nobody will love me,“ or, “I’m not as outgoing as they are so I won’t ever have great friendships,” or, “I’m not smart so I’m never going to make it in life,” start by admitting what’s true, and then replace what’s false.

“I may not be the best at this, but that doesn’t change the fact that God loves me and made me in His image.”

“I may not be the most extroverted person, but if I put myself out there, I can make friends.”

“I may not be naturally talented in this subject, but if I work hard I know I can get better.”

The practice of taking our thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ by admitting what’s true and replacing what’s false is a step in the journey to experiencing God’s peace.

James Meehan | Youth Pastor
www.life.church