Capturing Your Thoughts

2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Daily thoughts bombard your mind. Many of the thoughts you didn’t invite; they just popped into your head. As so many Bible teachers have shared, the battlefield for believers is in our minds. I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase you can’t stop the birds from landing on your head but you can keep them from building a nest. You can’t keep some of the unwanted thoughts from coming into your mind, but you can keep them from lodging there and continually plaguing you.

That’s what Paul is talking about in 2 Corinthians 10:5. He says that those things not based in God’s love and grace are to be cast down. Captured. Brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. If the thought(s) do not line up with the finished work of Jesus, cast it aside—throw it out. If the thought(s) stir up dismay, fear, failure, condemnation or guilt, don’t allow it to reside in your mind.

What happens many times to us is that a thought comes to our mind that isn’t based in God’s Word because the enemy loves to drop his lies into our thinking. If we allow those thoughts/lies entrance, they can soon build doubt and unbelief. His strategy hasn’t changed from the Garden of Eden when he approached Eve with the question (thought), did God really say.

If the enemy can put a negative thought into your mind (which is usually a lie), he’s hoping that you’ll take the bait and start thinking about it. Ignore the enemy and his negative thoughts and focus on Jesus as Phil Drysdale says. If the thought doesn’t line up with the Word of God, don’t give it a place—cast it away.  Picture yourself riding an old-fashioned children’s carousal. The faster it goes, the tighter you hold on; otherwise the momentum of the spinning will send you quickly off the carousal onto the ground. That’s the picture of casting down those thoughts and imaginations that don’t line up with the Word. By allowing those thoughts to stay in your mind they’ll build momentum that will eventually affect your actions. Take control and replace those thoughts by focusing on Jesus. Victory and freedom are just a thought away. Say, I’m focusing my thoughts on Jesus and His Word.