Message Library

Take Every Thought Captive

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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

What a blessing it would be if we could take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. We could control our thoughts and destroy sinful thoughts, fearful thoughts, angry thoughts, or any negative thoughts. Do we realize how much our worldly thoughts control us when we are created to filter the world through the Spirit? If we make the habit of taking everything we see, hear, or think, to the Spirit, it will enable us to overcome the world.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. (Proverbs 16:32 NKJV) This verse is telling us to control our emotions rather than letting our emotions control us. Our thoughts are accompanied by our emotions, and Satan will use our emotions to accept sinful thoughts.  We are not created to live by our emotions or feelings; we are created to live by the Spirit. Therefore, when we capture our sinful or negative thoughts to the obedience of Christ, be aware of the power of the emotion. We take our sinful thought and emotion and know it is Satan calling us into darkness.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) There is no temptation that we cannot escape because it is a promise from God. We pray for the escape and for the Lord’s power to overcome.

Remember that Satan will tempt us and we may not even be aware of it. For example, he may make us impatient and cause us to rush through our day, or he may make us fearful of the future.  The Lord wants us to live with rest for our souls by slowing down inside, putting our trust in Him, and being comforted knowing our home is in Heaven.  He doesn’t want us to rush, be fearful, or get angry; he wants us to live everyday with peace and joy and with a heart of love.

To live with peace and joy, we must take control of our thoughts and emotions, then we are controlled by the Spirit and not by the world. There is great satisfaction in capturing our thoughts to obedience of Christ and overcoming Satan’s evil attacks.  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 ESV) Call on the Lord when capturing thoughts and Satan will flee.

Today, carry everything to the Spirit and let your heart agree with the Spirit. Let the Lord continue to make your heart more like the heart of Jesus, and let your heart control your thoughts. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) Don’t a be slave to the world, choose freedom in Christ.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to capture every thought to your obedience and to not be a slave to the world. Guide me in the Spirit to be free with a heart filled with your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.