2 Corinthians 10: 5
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.
It is one thing to familiarize oneself with the scriptures, but quite another to find its application in everyday life. So easy, it is, to agree with the theology of today’s scripture but quite a different matter to live it when we walk away from our prayer closet. Recently our Father showed me how this isn’t just a nice piece of theology, but rather something He wanted me, and indeed all of us, to learn how to use in our daily walk.
First, though, look again at the scripture and see that we are to take our every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. What does that even mean? The God’s Word translation reads, “We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.” In other words, our every thought is to be shaped so that it is obedient to Christ. That means that it must be obedient to his Word and to what he has told us about our lives.
Beautifully, Father gave me a real life example to guide me. A little background first. I have begun a training program. Every day is specifically designed, even down to rest days. It began easily enough, 30 minutes riding while keeping my heart rate low rather than riding hard or fast. Okay, simple enough but honestly, a little boring. It was so short and so easy that I found myself saying, why even put on workout clothes for this? So, what I want you to see is that right from the beginning, my mind, my thoughts, were a challenge. The exercise schedule progressed until and within a few weeks the program called for 90 minutes on the bike, going easy. Now, there was a whole new challenge.
In the meantime, I was in conversation with others. One person said she couldn’t do that because she would get bored. Another lady that I often see at workouts told me that her joints bother her sometimes. She saw that I was wet from having been in the pool. She said, “I know I am going to end up in the pool sometime, but I just hate the thought of getting undressed, getting wet, having to shower and then dress again. I was having my own challenges with thoughts, so these two people’s statements went off in me. The latter stated that it was the “thought” of having to change clothes, etc. that was stopping her. Even though she believes the pool would be good for her and help her, the thoughts are stopping her. The other person lets the thought of being bored stop her from even considering certain exercises or programs. Her mind is limiting her because she isn’t taking those thoughts captive.
So, here I was with a goal and task ahead of me and the benefit of other’s challenges to warn me. I know God gave me this exercise schedule but how do you sit on a indoor bicycle for an hour and a half without getting bored? In my heart I knew that I could not afford the luxury of boredom. I was just going to have to find a way to overcome it. Once I took that thought captive, everything became easier.
Once I realized this was a battle in my mind and that I had the ability to choose the outcome, the battle was over. The thought of being bored was vanquished and my mind eagerly sought solutions. It is really quite amazing how willing our minds are to serve us when we take authority over them and give them direction. I put it to the task of solving the problem instead of making up excuses and I immediately found my solution.
That is what it means to take a thought captive. That thought of being bored was not obedient to the overcoming authority of Christ. It was not obedient to the program Father laid before me. God gave me a schedule that would help me. The first thing that happened, though, were excuses. In the beginning it was too short and too easy. Then it was too long. However, by taking these thoughts captive, I have been able to adapt to everything I have encountered. I don’t need excuses. They aren’t going to help me be healthier. I need victories and so do you.
So here is the thing. We are still in the first month of the year and there are, no doubt, things you wish to accomplish this year. Don’t let the devil steal your victory by filling your mind with a myriad of excuses. They will be there but just take them captive and make them be obedient to goals God has given you. Don’t allow yourself the luxury of excuses. Flush whatever one is working for you right now. As soon as you say, “No” to it, your mind will find the solution you need. And don’t forget about prayer. Talk to Dad. Ask Him to help you with whatever the challenge is.
The scriptures are not only about our spiritual life. They are about our life. In fact, Father would have us not separate our spiritual life from our physical life. They are integrated to Him and that is what He wants you to see in this Word of the Day. Taking thoughts captive and making them obey Jesus has everything to do with what we do when we wake up tomorrow until the moment we lay our heads on our pillows. There is nothing you can’t do. You are not too old, not too broke, not too uneducated, not too bored. All those lies Satan has been feeding you, spit them out. He has held you captive long enough. As long as a particular excuse works, he will keep feeding it to you. It is up to you to take those lies captive and send them back to hell from where they came.
Come on team! Let’s go for the gusto! Let’s grab the brass ring. Let nothing stop you. Fulfill your destiny. Be the testimony of God’s glory. As always, if I can help you, please reach out. We have coaching available and always words of encouragement. Be blessed!
