Sneaky thoughts

Last week we started talking about peace and we were meditating on John 14:27. You may have been wondering, “What else can we do when we start to feel fear or anxiety brewing in our hearts?”

We will look at the first thing we do this week, and it comes from 2 Corinthians 10:5 which says, “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.”

What we need to understand is that our mind is a battlefield. When our thinking is off it can affect our whole being. Which is why it is important that we submit ourselves to the process of having or minds renewed (Romans 12:2) so that our thinking can align with the word of God. When our thinking is aligned with the word of God, we can quickly recognise thoughts that are not of and not from God. We take captive every thought that comes against us or the word of God or those thoughts that try to manipulate, deceive, trouble or cause fear in us.

This requires that we take inventory of our thoughts. We need to be aware of what we are thinking. If you are not sure what you are thinking, listen to the words you are speaking. Matthew 15:18 says, “But what comes out of your mouth reveals the core of your heart…” Your words let you know what you are thinking.

In order to know whether our thoughts align with the word of God or not, we need to know the word of God. And not just in general. It is good to know the logos, written word of God but we have a relationship with God which means we can get a rhema word from God. Much like when God highlighted John 14:27 to me when I was feeling anxious and the scripture came alive in me, God can do the same for you and give you the scripture, the word you need to fight whatever battle you are in.

Once you know what God says about the situation, any thought that comes at you that doesn’t align with the word of God must be taken captive to the obedience of Christ. You will be surprised how many battles you save yourself just by being aware of your thought patterns and taking your thoughts captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. This doesn’t mean I am a pro at this, some things slip under the radar but when I realise that, I remind myself of 2 Corinthians 10:5 and start again. The devil is sneaky, not every thought is obviously “devilish” that’s probably why the bible tells us to take captive every thought not some thoughts. The point is, just because we don’t always get it right does not mean we get to quit.

If you start to feel troubled, fearful or anxious, check your thoughts, align your thinking with God’s word over you and over the situation. God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power love and a sound mind, 2 Timothy 1:7. Take note, God has given you a sound mind. A peace filled mind. Not a chaotic, confused or restless mind.

2 Corinthians 10:5 in the Passion Translation says, “We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.” We are in a fight and God has given us the tools to win.

I’ll leave you with this; instead of being imprisoned by your thoughts, you make the firm decision to imprison them instead and insist they bow in obedience to Jesus Christ.

Love and blessings,

Melissa Tsingano