Take every thought captive
Often, one of the most important and sometimes overlooked areas in a Christian’s walk is their thought life. It sounds bold in one sentence—but let’s dig in on it for a moment.
When it comes to our thought life, we are often told to take our thoughts captive (2 Cor 10) without learning a consistent strategy. The apostle Paul also talks about renewing our minds (Romans 12, Eph 4)—and reminds us again to focus on pure and lovely things that are praiseworthy and excellent. (Phil. 4:8) But how do we shift our thoughts and mindsets?
In today’s day and age, there is a constant barrage of information and entertainment that can influence our thoughts on top of spiritual warfare. But, we are also empowered within the Word about what we carry as believers so that we do not have to submit to every thought and temptation that the world offers. Reading into 2 Corinthians 10, it’s important to realize that though we live in the world, we don’t wage war the same way. (v. 3) We hold the authority of Jesus and have the Holy Spirit in us—greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world! The missing step is often what to do once you have taken a thought captive—and the best thing you can do is to put it on trial. Shine light on it! If it’s a lie slipped in by the enemy, there usually isn’t any evidence that can support that thought. If there’s no evidence, no roots of things like shame, rejection, or condemnation can enter your mind. The more you can rebuke the lie, the quicker it can be pulled from your mind before it even takes root.
We know that there is often complexity that comes when facing trauma, deep wounds and circumstances in your life and this strategy is not created to dismiss those aspects—simplicity, especially when you are just beginning to learn how to take your thoughts captive is the most helpful for truly making a path for healing and change. What you have survived in your life does not make it any less possible for you to succeed. When examining your thoughts, you may often have to ask yourself questions like: “Am I viewing this thought/situation from the lens of an old wound or experience I’ve had?”
You are human—and there is grace as you learn. Learning to speak truth as you unravel lies and change your mindset means that you can learn God’s voice and how He speaks to His children. God’s voice is:
Compassionate
Gentle
Kind
Encouraging
Loving
Holy
Just
Knowing the truth and what’s written in the Bible is a major key to continual freedom and having a renewed mind. Making a habit of speaking kindly to yourself and having daily affirmations or declarations are a great place to start. The Lord desires you to walk in joy, confidence and freedom!
Taking thoughts captive:
Catch a thought. (Ex: “You have no purpose.”)
Put it on trial. (What evidence disproves this thought? Ex: We know that Ps. 139:14 says—“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” And God is loving and intentional. He made us with purpose!)
Rebuke the thought. (You can say something like: “That is a lie, I rebuke you and command you to leave.”)
Refill yourself with truth and the Holy Spirit. Invite Him in. Quote scripture or speak affirmations/declarations that are founded in scripture.)
We included three affirmations for you to try, and we want to challenge you to take just a week of speaking one or all of them each day and see if your thought life begins to change.
