Taking Our Thoughts Captive

Have you ever had a problem with keeping your heart pure, free from evil thoughts?   You’re not alone, so don’t feel embarrassed if you’ve tried but yet failed. Consider your thoughts as a battlefield. Every day you’re engaged in spiritual warfare, your weapons to fight, and your victory to win is in Jesus Christ.   

In God’s Word, we find wisdom to help us manage our thought patterns. 2 Corinthians 10:5: “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.”  

Some years ago, I worked in a stressful and pressured job. I had stress on both sides of the fence, working with customers, management, and responsibility of family. When I experienced a bad day at work, those problems followed me home. The situation was always forefront in my thinking, those hardships encountered during the day. When I retired at night, I took it to bed, and it kept me awake most of the night. It was all I could think about, and my thinking was out of control.

One night, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, God brought a Scripture verse into my heart. It was one I had memorized years back, but it stood out so vividly, Psalm 4:8, In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Like David, who suffered at the hands of His enemies, trusted in Christ and found peace for His troubled soul, I did likewise. I gave my thoughts to Christ, and He gave me victory.

Why Is This Important?

Our thinking shapes the world around us. It becomes a practice and involves our decisions and behaviors. When we’re thinking negative, it leads to depression, anxiety, and a sense of hopelessness. Positive thinking is just the opposite. It uplifts the spirit, gives hope, peace and resilience. When we place our thoughts on positive things, including God in them, He gives us power to overcome any negativity. It is God who transforms our lives and brings us closer to Him.

Here Are Tips To Take Thoughts Captive

1. Be Aware

I try to keep track of my thoughts throughout the day. When I stumble upon a negative thought, being fearful, or untrue ideas, I find Scripture verses. Those that relate to fear, anxiety, falsehood, I replace with a truth from God’s Word. Memorization of Scriptures is one of my weapons to fight the battle of my mind and to focus on God’s promises.

2. Pray

One of the pieces of the Christian Armor is prayer (Ephesians 6:17). Prayer helps to fight our battles and to win victory, so become a prayer warrior, and pray diligently. Ask God to help in recognizing and overcoming negative thinking. Pray for a renewed mind filled with peace and truth.

3. Practice Being Grateful

The first thing I do is set aside a quiet time in the morning. In the early morning, before starting the day, I pray and worship. In those solemn moments, I make it a habit to list those things that I’m grateful for each day. This is a good practice, because it takes my focus off any problems, and gives me a positive outlook to begin my day. When I’m praising God in thanksgiving, I give no room for the enemy.

4. Bad Company Corrupts Good Manners

Be wise in keeping the right company. Choose friends by God’s guidance. Ask God to bring into your life a friend you can trust, rely upon, who sticks with you through the good and bad. A friend who encourages and prays for you.

In my own life, I’ve chosen wrong friends. I’ve learned through mistakes to surround myself with friends who love, who will pray and encourage me.

5. Engagement With Social Media And TV Is A Huge Influence

God blesses with technology as a means of communication. It is user-friendly and can serve as a tool to share the gospel, grow a business, and many other facets. Social media is one area that influences our positive and negative thinking as well as what we see and hear on television. Most TV shows have language and graphics unsuitable to dwell upon. Choose those with deep consideration.

6. Never Lose Hope Because It’s A Process

God’s work of transforming our lives isn’t a one-time event. It is a continuing process that requires patience, diligence, and perseverance. Never lose hope because other believers are experiencing the same battle. God will provide strength and guidance every step of the way.

Final Thoughts

2 Corinthians 10:5 helps us control our thoughts and change our lives. Keep in mind to pray, be grateful, and have good influences. We find mental peace and grow closer to God, living His will, on this journey.

Come with me as we take each thought captive and submit it to Christ. As we do this, our lives can be full as God intended.