For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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 10:3 - 5
...and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
I hope this passage of Scripture is having the impact on you that it has had on me.
I know from what I am often told, and I suspect more than that, that many, maybe all people suffer in varying degrees, from their own thoughts. They range from moments of concern over the economy to dark bouts with depression; brief thoughts of inappropriate flirtation to compulsive pornography addiction; a flash of anger to murder; temptations are bred from momentary Earthly desires and can quickly bloom into full-grown sinful thoughts and actions. And yes, lingering thoughts themselves can be sinful. Remember Jesus' teaching (found in Matthew 5):
...Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven..."You have
heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to
judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. ..."You have
heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has
already committed adultery with her in his heart...."You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be
sons of your Father in heaven.
Our improper thoughts can cause us so much trouble! The can drive us mad when we keep them in, and they can lead to great damage when we speak them or act upon them improperly.
But friends, I have good news...and I have Good News! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
God loves you so much, that He sent Jesus to die...for you. He also sent His Holy Spirit, for you. Jesus loves you so much that He went through death and resurrection for you, and part of His mission is to be there for you, always, and to help you take control of your thought life. Can you hear that? The Son of God, Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, stands, ever at the ready, to take this burden from you. The work you do is to let Him have that burden.
...and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
You do not have to force your thoughts into obedience, you simply submit the source of your thoughts, yourself, to the one who holds the keys to death and Hell. All authority on Heaven and Earth has been given to Him. He is the Savior of the world!
He can handle your thoughts.
Give them to Him.
The battle belongs to the Lord!
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Questions:
1. What do you think of this perspective?
2. What would help you remember that you are always in God's presence?
3. What effect would that have on your life?
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Thoughts on thoughts:
"The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts; the neglected life will soon become a moral chaos; the church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption. The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray." A.W. Tozer
"The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day." E.M. Bounds
"If you read history you will find out that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next." C.S. Lewis
"God hath my daily petitions, for I am at peace with all men, and He is at peace with me, and this witness makes the thoughts of death joyful." Richard Hooker
"There is mention of a sword turning every way: parallel whereto is the Word of God in a wounded conscience. Man's heart is full of windings, turnings, and doublings, to shift and shun the stroke thereof, if possible: but this sword meets them wheresoever they move; it fetches and finds them out; it haunts and hunts them, forbidding them, during their agony, any entrance into the paradise of one comfortable thought." Thomas Fuller Fuller
1 comment:
Taking our thoughts captive are so important, especially when it comes to battling sins of coveting and lust. I wrote some posts about "renewing the mind" a while back: http://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/2008/10/15/renewing-the-mind-a-review/
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