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mrs violetThe Bible teaches us that our mind, or rather our thoughts should be taken captive to the obedience of Christ. What?? Hold it right there lady, what are you trying to say?
I don't know about you, but if your mind is anything like mine in a day, my thoughts sometimes seem more numerous than the grains of sugar in the donuts display case of your local Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donut. I would like to think that all of them were as sweet as well, but in reality some of them are down right wrong. Yet here it is, plain as day;
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
I did a bit more reading about this passage because I wanted to try and understand what Paul was saying to the people at Corinth. Apparently Paul was having a bit of an image problem. The people of Corinth were being led astray by a false teacher/apostle and this false prophet was pointing at Paul's human weaknesses as a way of undermining his ministry.
Paul then goes on to challenge the Corinthians about their minds. He urges them, that in the midst of false teaching, as well as in the everydayness of life, to examine their thought life.
One
commentator says this about what Paul is saying.
Paul's first application is towards the carnal, worldly thinking of the Corinthian Christians that made them despise Paul and his "weakness," doubting his apostolic credentials. But Paul's principle has a much broader application. We are not helpless victims or recipients of our thoughts. We can choose to stop our thoughts, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Thoughts of lust, thoughts of anger, thoughts of fear, thoughts of greed, bitter thoughts, evil thoughts they are part of every thought that may be, must be brought thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Someone might object: "I don't want my thoughts to be captive to anyone. I don't want my thoughts to be captive to Jesus. I want my thoughts to be free." This is wrong on at least two points. First, you belong to someone no matter what; ultimately, we either serve Jesus or Satan. Second, if you are a Christian, you are a purchased possession of Jesus Christ. You belong to Him. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 puts it this way: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's-David Guzik.
Wow, a pretty radical concept in today's world. The Bible tells us we can control our thoughts, and we are able to make them obedient to Jesus and His teachings.
Have you ever made a conscious decision to examine your thought life? How successful was this for you?
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Comments (32)
Yes, I have. We can't stop a thought from going across our brain, but we can decide which ones we dwell on. When I'm struggling with recurring thoughts, I pray Scripture.
I think that's a pretty evil concept. It sounds like thoughtcrime from 1984.
I examine my thought life almost everyday. It's very difficult and you would be surprised about some of the superficial things you dwell upon and they way you internalize feelings and emotions.
praying to scripture and talking to someone is a good idea
"Temptation is like a bird flying over your head; you can't stop it
from flying over your head, but you can stop it from making a nest in
your hair."
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - Is there something about the teachings of Jesus you believe would be bad to submit too?
@Pickwick12@xanga - me too, it is a good technique, and the way Jesus dealt with temptation when faced with Satan after his 40 days in the wilderness.
@mrsviolet - Even regardless of that, I think it's evil not to entertain other thoughts. Otherwise, how can you really be sure in your faith? Just considering one worldview is dangerous and unhealthy. Obviously, you can always believe in Christ, but you have to consider other thoughts and ideas as well, at least once.
To answer your question, yeah. I think that belief in supernatural miracles would be a pretty bad thing to submit to, but that's just my personal perspective. I think most everyone would, if the ideas were presented independently of the religious message, reject at least one piece of the teachings of Jesus.
Saw a bumper sticker that said
"DONT ALWAYS BELIEVE WHAT YOU THINK"
Love it!
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - Ok I see what you are saying. I don't believe that is what this verse is saying thought. One of the keys to the bible is keeping things in context not just with the passage being read but with other passages in the bible. So knowing that, I can pretty safely assume that is NOT what this verse means.
Rather, it isn't saying not to question or 'think' about things, but rather to bring wandering/mindless thoughts back to the teachings/obedience of Christ.
An example of this may be this taken from Matthew 5
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery. 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
If I look at a man, and begin to have lustful thoughts, I have a choice to make. I can dwell on those thoughts, entertaining them, being enticed by them and even revealing in them. To the 'average' woman out there, this is pretty normal behavior, to fantasize about other men.
To me- biblically, based on the passage above, it is out of line with God's expectations of me. Instead I bring my mind back from my own fantasies of another man, and nip that thought in the bud right there and then.
Does that make sense?
I heard this quote in church today: “Seek for the real things, not the artificial. Seek for the everlasting truths, not the passing whim. Seek for the eternal things of God, not for that which is here today and gone tomorrow. Look to God and live.”
My experience has been that the more I do as the Lord has asked and asks now, the more His Spirit is with me and sanctifies and purifies my thoughts.
@mrsviolet - Yes, I can understand that. Though I take a somewhat different approach (evaluating a certain thought by my own ethical standards), I try to do essentially the same thing.
It's just really important to stress that considering an idea is not wrong. For instance, if you entertain the thought of communism, and try to explore why people believe in it, its causes and consequences, etc., then I don't think that's wrong or unethical, even if you think believing in communism is unethical. In a case like sexuality, or when you're attempting to avoid culpability for behaviour you know is wrong by acting it out mentally instead of physically, then yeah, I can definitely see where this is applicable. But a misinterpretation of this (which I'm imagining many Christians, too, take) can be deadly.
So yeah, I see your point now. Hopefully, you also see my concern. Even if you didn't intend for people to take it that way, I guarantee you there are some people who would - I've met them! And it's absolutely frightening for me, as a non-Christian, and makes the whole Christian message that much less attractive. So it's dangerous for the people holding the misconception, it's dangerous for anyone they happen to attack for "thought crime" and it's dangerous for the souls of non-Christians who might otherwise stand a better chance of being saved.
Thanks for clarifying!
Chris Thurman's book "The Lies We Believe" does a good job addressing the thought battle.
Some changes I make when I wake up thinking bad thoughts:
1) I don't read the local newspaper first thing in the morning 2) I put on classical or (when I need to really get going), upbeat music that I know won't depress me.
I struggle with thoughts of jealousy and envy a lot, (and sometimes when I don't, then I beat myself up for not being content or forgetting that everyone has "the half they're not showing.") No offense intended there, folks. I lament what I don't have one minute, and then catch myself asking "Why would I really want it, though? To satisfy others' expectations, (when the likelihood is high that once I get it tchances are they'll find something else to be dis-satisfied about anyway?)
My point is, I'm not going to get things just to get things unless for the most part, they are pretty darn practical things.
Funny how often our thoughts can contradict themselves.
(Sorry about the rabbit trail, folks)..
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - you know I have learned so many things through the comment boxes. When somebody brings up something I haven't heard before, an idea I don't know about or mentions somebody I haven't come across, I google it.
Recently I wanted to to know what 'religion' Hitler claimed to be, because of a post I had been reading. It took me on quite an interesting rabbit trail of thoughts and opinions.
I think education is a good thing, ideas are good things, it is what we do with those and how they impact and change our life for good or how we learn from them that is important.
I can absolutely see your concerns, when you read about so many brain washing cults. And if someone doesn't understand the theology behind the verses, it could very easily be perceived as the same thing.
When really it is to do with moral/spiritual code. You obviously have your own that you live by and when you do/think something outside of that, I would imagine you try and see how it fits within your own schemata. If it does you integrate it, if it doesn't you take what you can learn from it and discard the rest.
This is what I for the most part try to do with the things of God.
@WLCALUM@xanga - rabbit trails are very welcome!
@lomal@xanga - I can certainly agree with that.
@mmmish@xanga - oh I think I need that one!
@sirnickdon - nods... yup!
@MCTCanadian@xanga - I wouldn't be surprised, for the most part my thought life leaves a lot to be desired, but I am sure you, like me are slowly getting there. I agree scripture is very helpful.
@mrsviolet - Awesome, then we're completely on the same page.
Just out of curiosity, did you ever find any conclusive evidence in your search about Hitler's religion? I've always been curious.
I do examine my thoughts and can so see how my desire to sin stems from my sinful, selfish thoughts or misconceptions about God.
The battle to run the Christian race begins in our minds. Satan is the father of lies. We need to saturate ourselves in the Word of God, in the truth (e.g.-see Psalm 1). Only when our minds are right will the rest of our lives fall into place. It's a constant battle.
Psalm 119:11-12: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not
sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
I Peter 1:13a Gird up the loins of your mind...
Matthew 4:4: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Ephesians 6:12-17: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...
The best ways I have found that improve my thought processes are through positive music, reading scripture, and not letting myself be a slave to my emotions. Also, a lot of our negative thoughts can be blamed on our laziness and selfishness, so if we stay active and put others first, its harder for those thoughts to hold us captive.
Thoughts are hard to control. I'm not going to say anymore than this until tomorrow, so until then...
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - The info that I found was more about what he wasn't but had often been accused of being.
People think he was a Christian- but he often used the church for propaganda and spoke out about various Christian truths.
People think he was an Atheist yet it seems he did have a belief in some higher being.
He also seemed to take ideas from anything that suited him at the time.
From what I read (and I didn't read very deeply) it was more about using or being whatever helped him achieve his aims.
@naphtali_deer@xanga - Great comment.
@WaitingonHim@xanga - I certainly get the not being a slave to emotions, learning to belief truth rather than emotion has been an on going battle for me.
@ChildofGod86@xanga - look forward to it.
I love that passage, thx for the great reminder. I have been dealing with my thought life for quite a while now. I am further encouraged that you have written about this.
@WLCALUM@xanga - I completely agree with you. Thanks for your input!
ultimately, we either serve Jesus or Satan.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!! Satan!? Are you serious? You ARE kidding, right? *shakes head* I thought the year was 2008, and not the 1300's. Incredible.
Sorry, but my mind is free from dogma and superstition. And Satan, your god, or the tooth fairy have nothing to do with anything.
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - "I think that's a pretty evil concept. It sounds like thoughtcrime from 1984."
Wait, what? In what way do you believe that checking one's own motives, and judging your thoughts, words and actions is a bad thing?
I'll tell you what's evil and Orwellian; political-correctness thought police which so very many in this country are becomming today. They act like elitist caste system school children, persecuting and judging anyone who disagrees with The Majority's popular opinions and beliefs. Its like an unofficial social form of nazism; for now anyway.
And then there's the psychic aspect of it...
@In_Reason_I_Trust@xanga - "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!"
Let me ask you, do you believe in angels/angelic beings? Because the majority of Amercians do. Further, most religions (including new age) believe in evil angelic beings as well.
They believe in angels (or angelic beings) but not in God. How hypocritical is that?
Kind of like when they say that evolution, not intelligent design is responsible for life on this planet. -Despite the fact that this religion they put so much faith in; says that in fact there is not only room for Intelligent Design, and the appearance of it, but it might even be a necessary and integral part of Evolutionary theory.