A Kingdom to be Ruled

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 King James Version)

I wage a war many times throughout every day. If I am not careful I will be defeated and left in a heap. The war is waged within my mind. I have a choice to either allow my thoughts to dominate me or for me to take charge. At no point am I a helpless victim.

Some of you know what I am talking about for you battle your own thoughts and wonder how to rule them instead of allowing them to rule you. Two of the most destructive thought patterns for me in the past and present have been impure thoughts and negative thinking. Both have root causes and the ability to be strongholds. Both can be controlled, reduced, eliminated, and transformed.

There was a time in my life when impure thoughts dominated me. They were thoughts that brought shame and a relief that no one could read my mind. Two things helped greatly. First, I learned the power of bringing the thoughts out into the open to God. I admitted to Him what I was thinking and realized His readiness to forgive. Then I began to go back and recall where the thoughts were allowed to enter. What events and people were instrumental in planting the seeds of impure thoughts in me? Where had they gained access? As I identified the origins, I renounced them all. I came against them with the blood of Christ and today they no longer govern me. There is freedom!

Negative thinking is my present daily battle. How quickly the lies, distorted reality, and misperceptions can reinterpret events and personal relationships for me. If I dwell on them long enough they spiral me down to a pit I would rather not be in. My answer is once again to bring them out in the open to God and compare them to what His Word says. To expose and renounce them. Then replace them with truth and dwell on that.

Casting down imaginations and bringing them into captivity imply destruction and confinement. They are military terms and denote a deliberate act. May I handle each assault with seriousness and determination.

Father, purify my mind and transform my thoughts. May I not follow the trail they want to take me on. I choose Your path of meditation. Amen.