written by: Carissa Waggoner
Have you often struggled with your thoughts? Thoughts of self defeat? Thoughts of the flesh and sinful images? Thoughts of anger or harm? Thoughts of fame or fortune? Thoughts of an ex or someone that is toxic? Thoughts of hating yourself? Thoughts of doubt or confusion?
Everyone of us have thoughts. At times they can be intrusive and consume us. They can be a stumbling block, blocking our path forward. They can initiate our behaviors and actions. They can define our beliefs and be our worst enemies.
How do we fight our own worst enemy? God knows how our thoughts are created. God’s word says that we have the power, authority and dominion over our thoughts. His word has quite a bit of information for how to do this.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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.
We are not victims of our thoughts. God makes a way for us to take hold of our thoughts and test them against God’s word, the Truth. We are not to be held captive by our thoughts but to hold them captive. We can’t do this on our own. We have within us the divine power to demolish strongholds, arguments and every lofty opinion that is against God’s truth. We are not fighting just a war within us but that war was started by an enemy who wants to throw us in confusion, doubt, fear, and misconceptions. He deceives us. He is the source, the father of lies.
I would like to mention first how to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to our thoughts. To stop them before they take a hold of us. To hold them captive instead before they try to claim us.
We must test everything. Whenever we hear someone say something, whenever someone treats us in a disrespectful way, whenever we sin, whenever we have doubt or confusion, we must look at the source. Is this something from God or of the enemy?
1 John 4:1-6
4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Take every thought captive by measuring it against God’s Word of Truth.
If it is not of God cast it away. If it continues to return there are steps to take that God gives us to be overcomers of these intrusive thoughts.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
There are several factors that need to be aligned first.
The Holy Spirt. We have to recognize that it is not in our power alone to hold our thoughts captive. We need to lean on the Holy Spirit and surrender our thoughts to Him, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, (the Holy Spirit) which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The Word of God. We have to be continuously in God’s word. Memorizing scripture is a good way of putting God’s truth in our thoughts.
Joshua 1:8
8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Our Deposits. What are we feeding our eyes and ears with? Today there is so much in the world that is in direct opposition to God’s ways. The movies and tv shows we watch. The things we watch on social media and the songs we listen to all serve to desensitize us towards what is good and pleasing to God.
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Prayer. Researchers are now discovering how prayer changes the brain and how it functions in thought process. I love how science proves God’s existence. Prayer is not just asking for things, it is communion with God. Being silent in His presence while listening for Him to speak. Prayer takes us away from where we are and puts us directly before the throne of the Great Almighty. There are benefits of prayer. We become closer to God. We can hear the Holy Spirit speak to us God’s truth. It’s been proven that we become less confused, anxious and more confident.
Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Repentance. Repentance helps us hold thoughts captive. We can come before the Lord and repent acknowledging our inability to stay away from sin on our own. It reinforces our reality and it frees us from guilt and shame. There is a sweet surrender in repentance. It clears our conscious and gives us freedom and peace.
Acts 3:19
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord
Romans 8:5-7
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
Thanksgiving. When we contemplate all that we are thankful for it is more difficult for our minds to wander to places they shouldn’t. As we praise the Lord for all His goodness and mercies, all of our negative thoughts seem to disappear. The Psalms are full of thanksgiving. God’s word even states that instead of crudeness offer thanksgiving.
Psalm 95:2:
“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
Ephesians 5:4
4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Your Identity. There is power in knowing your identity and where it comes from. Your identity should not be founded on anything in this world. Not success, fame, fortune, what people say or how they treat you, should define you. You are not of this world any longer. You were bought and paid for and now you belong to Christ Jesus and are heirs with Him in the inheritance of His Kingdom. As Jesus stated He is not of this world, neither are you.
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Your Focus. As we are intentional of screening our deposits we also have to be intentional of what we focus on. This world will pass away and we only live a short time here, but eternity, well, its for eternity that we live with Christ. Our focus should be that of Kingdom focus.
Isaiah 26:3
3You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Colossians 3:2-4
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Psalm 16:8
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Abide in Christ. All of these things mentioned above are ways to abide in Christ. Leaning on the Holy Spirits divine power within you, Meditating on God’s Word of Truth, Guarding what we deposit in our minds, Prayer, Repentance, Thankfulness, Knowing who you are in Christ, and Keeping the Lord as your focus. Abiding in Christ is surrender, receiving and trusting in Him for all things. It is having Him as your only Hope. Abide in His love, rest in His presence, and trust your life into His hands. Abide in other translations also refers to remain. Remain in Him in obedience.
John 15:4-5
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:9-10
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
God doesn’t abandon us to be captive to our thoughts. He gives us so much to battle against them. He, Himself within us by His divine power is fighting for us. He knows we struggle with the flesh and it’s desires. He knows the enemy prowls like a lion around us speaking lies. He knows at times we struggle to hold on the the Truth. God can help us from our thoughts going wild. God gives us all that we need to hold every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:20-24
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Philippians 4:4-9 Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for your Holy Spirit that dwells in us and has the divine power to overcome anything we face. Thank you for the Truth, your Word, your presence to abide in you and you in us. We thank you that we no longer have to be captives by our thoughts that we can hold them captive and expel the ones that are in opposition to your truth. We can test all spirits and keep from falling into the enemy’s lies. You equip us with everything we need, Lord. May we keep our focus on you, your goodness, your truth, your love. May we be intentional of what we invite into our minds through our eyes and ears. May we put your Word on our hearts and minds to meditate on them day and night. May we rest in our trust in you. May we always know our identity in you that it can not be shaken by this world. Thank you Lord for meeting us where we are. We ask for the power to hold every thought captive and the discernment of spirits. We thank you and we praise you, In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
Becoming His 
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