2 Corinthians 10:5 “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
One of the greatest battlefields is our mind! In our minds, we have a battle for what we will be thinking. Our thinking has to be controlled as 2 Corinthians 10:5 teaches for while our thinking can be incredibly creative and constructive as well as having compassionate thoughts toward others we can have evil and corrupt thoughts. Our thinking can be cruel toward others. What we allow our mind to think about matters as wrong thinking can lead to wrong actions. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Reminding us of why what we think about matters Emerson wrote:
Sow a thought reap an action;
sow an action reap a habit;
sow a habit reap a character;
sow a character reap a destiny.
In Philippians 4:8 the Apostle Paul teaches us how to think with these words: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
How is your thinking? Are you minute by minute winning the battle of your mind? To help us win we find a great strategy in 2 Corinthians 10:5. It tells us to cast down or demolish those arguments against Christ and His teachings. Like the military breaking down a fortification, we demolish those arguments that are incorrect, that are wrong about Christ.
The military analogy continues as we now take captive thoughts. To take captive is to have control over. Your thoughts are now to be considered a prisoner. You don’t answer to them. They answer to you! Those who are captive are removed from the battlefield.
A third action then takes place as our thoughts are obedient to Christ. The NIV says, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” This means His will and His ways are right and are to be followed!
So, how is your thinking? What are you allowing your mind to think on? Does God see a clean mind or a corrupt mind?
Are you controlling your thoughts or are your thoughts controlling you?
Up close question: Have you memorized Philippians 4:8 so that you might use Philippians 4:8 as a filter for what you will think about?
Continue Strong with thinking on Right Things!
And remember to DATE The Word