April 3, 2020
Today’s Promise
I Can Take Every Thought Captive
2 Corinthians 10:5
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Control Your Thoughts, Control Your Actions
Now more than ever it’s important to control your thinking. It is so easy to fall into fear and worry. God has given you the promise to take every thought captive.
One of the most frequent battlegrounds for spiritual warfare is your mind. Just as Satan deceived Eve through his words, Satan is always whispering deception and lies into your ears.
Your thoughts are the beginnings of actions. Every sin begins with a thought. Every temptation begins in the mind.
Because you have the mind of Christ, you have power over your thoughts. God commands you to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Here are five things to remember about taking every thought captive.
1. Monitor your thoughts.
Thoughts left to run freely, rarely produce positive results. How many times has a simple little thought taken you down a path of disobedience? Check your thoughts to make sure that what you are thinking is in line with scripture.
2. Capture your thoughts early.
That little thought left unchecked grows and spreads to actions and habits. Before you know it, that small thought becomes the focus of your thinking. Capture your thoughts early before they grow into habits.
3. Submit your thoughts
A great question to ask your self is, “Is what I am thinking right now honoring to Christ?” If not, submit it to the Lord and allow Him to lead your thinking.
4. Redirect Your Thoughts
Our thoughts tend to follow pathways. Once a thought goes unchecked it goes down that same path it has traveled before. Soon the thought has developed a superhighway through in your brain. Once started it goes the same direction each time. The best attack is to knock it off its track by thinking of something else. Redirecting your thoughts is often the fastest way to take them captive.
5. Transform Your Thinking
Meditating, or thinking about God’s word is a powerful way to build a godly mindset. Read God’s Word daily, then think on what you read throughout the day. Allow God’s word to transform your thinking.
As followers of Christ, you can take every thought captive.
Look at that promise again.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5
Confess this with me.
- I have the mind of Christ in me.
- I am taking every thought captive.
- I am capturing every wrong thought early.
- I am transforming my mind by dwelling on God’s Word.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Every thought that takes you away from walking in obedience to Christ must be captured and restrained just like a prison of war.
With the weekend here, why not touch base with a few friends and church members. Give them a call to let them know you love them and encourage them with a promise from God’s Word.
What is the greatest challenge in taking your thoughts captive? Share in the comments below.
Thanks Billy, stay safe and healthy
Keeping my thoughts of fear worry and anxiousness at bay when there is such a climate of fear in the world right now. You are constantly hearing and seeing things that invoke fear and anxiety about your health and your finances and your mental well-being that it can overwhelm your thinking. Your message today makes me realize that it is a deliberate intentional and active process to take your thoughts captive when they don’t align with God’s Word. I have to do better ??
A mind that is not focused on God is vulnerable to the world, the flesh and the devil
Gloire à Dieu