How Do I Do That?

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (New American Standard Bible)

I find great difficulty in doing something that I don’t understand. For years I have heard I should take my thoughts captive but failed to understand exactly what that meant and how to go about doing it. I would hear illustrations, like when a cowboy ropes a calf or when a soldier takes a prisoner hostage, but the pictures didn’t show me HOW. I had learned the source of my damaging thoughts and imaginations was myself and the enemy but I was finding myself with more failure than victory in the area of “taking the thoughts captive.” It seemed for a while I would guard myself against the thoughts entering but if the enemy remained persistent I usually ended up dwelling on wrong thoughts and going down a mental and emotional trail that led to pits, dungeons, and prison cells of great proportion. Then the thoughts of hopelessness and “you will never change” would set in and defeat would be the only picture that hung over my horizon.

God knows better and He desires better for me! First, He began assuring me that He was exposing this area in my life to show me what He wanted to transform and then He reminded me that He always finishes what He starts. What eventually came to me was a very simple yet powerful prayer that WORKS every time I speak it and it comes right from today’s verse. At first, when a thought came to mind that I knew was not of God and not good for me, I simply said, “I take that thought captive to Jesus Christ.” And instantly the thought was gone! Now I have begun adding to that phrase and finding joy in the anticipation that it will work every time. I have prayed it several times already this morning and want to share with you an example of what my prayer now entails.

“I take that thought captive to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is based on a lie rather than truth. I choose to think on what is true. I have the mind of Christ and God’s Spirit living in me. Purify my thoughts and my motives, Father. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Whether the thought is based on lies, jealousy, insecurities, feelings of abandonment, suspicion, or any number of things, I know now to identify it and state the victorious opposite. May this help others as much as it has helped me.

Father, it is so essential that I handle my thoughts in the right way. Dwelling on the right things and taking captive the wrong things is one huge key to victory for me. Thank you for continuing to transform my life and my walk with You. Amen.