Dealing With Thoughts

Shaul (Paul) writes in 2 Corinthians 10:5: We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (RSV) We are instructed to take every thought captive to Yeshua (Jesus). "Take every thought" is a present active participle. This means that continuous action is required. This is not something you do once like being born again. It is something that needs to be done on a continual basis. The active mood means that the subject is performing or causing the verbal action. This means that taking thoughts captive is something you do. While it is proper to ask God's help, it is something that you have to do for yourself. You take thoughts captive.

The Greek word for taking captive is aichmalōtizō and it means to take a prisoner, or captive. Further, it is to lead something into captivity. By implication, it is to subdue, or bring into subjection. Sometimes prisoners will try to escape. The way you stop them is to keep a guard on them. The guard we are to use is the Word of God. We are to keep our thoughts in line with God's Words. If the thought tries to step out of line, we force it back into place by speaking God's Word on the subject. This is an ongoing battle. The present tense means that this is something we must constantly be doing as long as we live. However, the good news is that the longer you take every thought captive, the easier it becomes.

Training the thought life is a continual process. Begin today to make it a daily practice of being very aware of what you are thinking. Ask yourself, where do I think this thought originated? John 10:10 is the dividing line: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (RSV) The thought that brings the abundant life comes from Yeshua; if the thought will lead to stealing, killing, or destruction, it is from the thief. Seek the abundant life by taking your thoughts captive to the One who brings abundant life.