from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church https://ift.tt/2XJjDj9
via IFTTT Take every thought captive. Man is a three part being, just like God. Body, soul, and spirit. The soul is the intersection of body (this evil world) and spirit (the indwelling presence of a holy God). The soul is, therefore, the land of serious battle. Warfare. The body is hopelessly evil. The spirit is eternally saved (speaking of a Christian). So the soul is the site of our struggle. The soul is the place of conscious thought. And those thoughts, are the articles of warfare. Satan presses hard on our thoughts. he brings anxiety, fear, rebellion, desires, doubt, all the things against God. These things come often in the form of fleeting thoughts. It is no wonder then that Paul says this about "taking thought captive" right after speaking of spiritual warfare. It is in fact a war within our own minds. A war of thoughts. What does it mean to "take a thought captive"? There are many aspects to this. First, the notion that we CAN! We can control those thoughts. We would not be commanded to do something impossible to do. No. It is because we CAN take thoughts captive that Paul says this. That anxiety, that temptation, that evil desire, it can be taken captive! Secondly, captive implies chains, prison, locking away. We have the ability to throw a chain around a thought and remove it from our mind. Put it away out of site and influence. Removing the thought from our life permanently. But how? When it first arrives! We are in a war, a daily battle. It would be wise to recognize that and never put our guard down. Constantly check every thought against written scripture. Every one. Is it like Jesus? Does this thought bring us more holiness or less? What would Jesus do? Question every thought. If thoughts are found that are contrary to scripture, then prayerfully and willfully take that one captive. Recognize it as an enemy attack and repent of allowing such evil into our minds. Immediately replace that evil thought of doubt or rebellion with thoughts of scripture holiness and love. God given conviction and humbleness, holy spirit power and boldness. Push the evil thought out by replacing it with good thought. "Think on the good things, the holy things, the things of good report" Yes, you are in fact in control of your thoughts. Capture them, control them. Turn on the light of Christ within your mind and darkness flees. If it is difficult, turn to prayer. Ask for help. Jesus promised He would be with us always, so call on Him. Confess the evil thought of anxiety, worry, doubt, anger, whatever as sin and ask forgiveness. Meditate on the word, the written word and the calming voice of the Holy Spirit. Memorize scripture for just such an occasion. Have a library of verses in your head ready at a moment's notice to battle the enemy. This is war. A war inside. A personal battle. But it is a battle that you can and must win. Turn to Jesus, and win the battle.
