Take Every Thought Captive
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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. -2 CORINTHIANS IO:4-5
The Word of God points us to the Kingdom of God-a reality that surrounds us and that is in us! It's a totally new way of thinking, different from the way our carnal, fleshly minds think. So as we work to move our flesh and our minds toward Kingdom living, we must align every thought with the Word of God. Over and over again every day, we should ask ourselves, What does God have to say about this?
Every thought that is contrary to God's way must be "taken captive." Then we can toss that thought out and replace it with God's truth. His truth then becomes our activation point or our weapon.
The apostle Paul in his letter to Philippians says Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus ( Philippians 2:5). It is important for us to think of ourselves the way christ thought of Himself.
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
Our thoughts are important. So important that Paul gave us clear guidelines: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever ever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8).
Your thoughts have power. Consider the things you are thinking ing about. Test them against the Word of God and then make the necessary changes. You will be amazed at the changes in your life as your thoughts become more like the thoughts of God.
Additional reading
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Colossians 3:2-5
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Prayer
Dear God I come to you today and submit myself as a living sacrifice. I pray that you will help me not to conform to this world but have my mind renewed by your word. Your word is life. I pray that the mind that was in Christ Jesus will also be in me, that whatever is good, lovely, true, noble, just, pure, of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there’s anything praise worthy will be the object of my mediation in your name Jesus. I cast every stronghold of the mind, every arguments, and high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and I bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. In Your name Jesus I pray. Amen