TAKING THOUGHTS CAPTIVE

A few weeks ago, I was visiting family and friends in Oregon. I was debating whether I should stop in at the fire department where I had served for roughly 25 years. I was leaning towards “Why bother.” I was thinking that surely, they have moved on in the past three and a half years and wouldn’t want to see me. This thinking led me down the path of, “Did I make a difference in the lives of these dear people?” As you can see, my own insecurities were directing my thinking. The lie I was allowing to guide my choices was the lie that these relationships were based in performance rather than in faithfulness, that my stopping to see them was about me rather than about being used by God to encourage them.

Praise God He is bigger than me, greater than my insecurities. As I was driving by the department, I saw three friends standing in front of the station. I couldn’t just ignore them, so I stopped. And surprisingly, everyone on shift that day was a part of the “old Guard.” It was a wonderful time of catching up. I am glad God intervened, but I also was reminded of a very important principle we find in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Not all of our thoughts, or our feelings, are accurate. Because this is true, we need to take our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.

What does it look like to take every thought captive? Recognize that all of us do, at times, have thoughts that are based in a lie.

When we have a particular thought evaluate it against the backdrop of God’s revealed Word, His truth.
Learn to reject false hood. Anything that opposes God’s word should be discarded by faith immediately.
Do not allow your mind to simply run wild. When your mind wants to go to “worst case scenarios” bring it back to truth by going to God’s word for help and hope.
If you know you have an area of weakness, memorize truth to combat that weakness. Rewrite the tape that your brain is playing.
Be proactive in filling your mind with TRUTH. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12).
Trust instead of worry. Trust the One with a proven track record. Do you know God’s track record?

What are some of the thoughts we need to imprison? Friends, when it comes to defining the thoughts we need to take captive, the reality is any thoughts that do not honor or glorify God need to brought into alignment with His Truth. One final word of encouragement- replace the unhealthy or sinful thought with truth that combats that area of struggle.

Here are a few common thoughts to take captive and truth that replaces them.

I’ve sinned one too many times. / God’s mercies are new every morning.
If people knew who I really was no one would love me. / I am fearfully and wonderfully made created in the image of the Living God.
I have nothing to offer. / God has gifted each person as He desires. We are all members of one body, and each one has a unique role, and all are equally valued and needed.
No one will care if I’m not there. / Jesus said that He desires that we be with Him…
I really want (insert desire) and they have so much it doesn’t matter if I take what is theirs for myself. / Godliness with contentment is a means of great gain.
One look won’t really matter. / Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery in his heart.