Take Thoughts Captive!

November 16, 2023

Take Thoughts Captive!

The thought of sin always proceeds the act of sin.

Let me say it another way; the temptation to sin is not the same as the performance of sin.  The temptation to sin begins in our thoughts.  This is why the Apostle Paul tells the church in Corinth to “…take every thought captive…”

In II Corinthians 10:5 Paul writes; “…and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.”  If I want to trust and obey and love and serve Jesus, I will need to keep the obstacles out of the way.  Those obstacles begin in our thoughts. 

Sin is the thing that stands in the way of my growing relationship with Jesus…and my healthy relationships with other people.  There are all kinds and sorts of sin that keep me distant from Jesus. 

The problem with sin is that when you are engaged in the act of sin, you probably do not have the desire or the ability to stop.  In order to interrupt the cycle of sin in your life, you begin with your thoughts not your actions or your words.  Paul tells us to “…take every thought captive…”

The things upon which we focus our thinking makes a big difference in our relationship with Jesus and with our ability to resist sin.  The power sin holds in our life, the health of our relationships with other people, and the peace in our own soul are all impacted by how well we hold our thoughts captive.

Here are four texts in the Bible that remind us of the power of our thoughts.

Genesis 6:5

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of humans was great in the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.”

Psalm 94:11

“The Lord knows our thoughts, that they are but an empty breath.”

Psalm 139:23

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.”

Matthew 9:4

“But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?”

Long before our choices lead us into trouble, our thoughts are already thinking things that will separate us from God and cause pain in our relationships with other people.  We must take our thoughts captive! 

The Apostle Paul speaks about our thought life often; he understands the power of the mind to bring honor or to bring destruction.  In Philippians 4:8 Paul writes; “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 

Paul invites us to shift the focus of our thinking so we may draw closer to Jesus and live a life of holiness with one another.  When our thoughts are focused upon what is good and true and love, there is much less room for the thoughts that tempt us toward sin.

Taking our thoughts captive often requires the help of a counselor, a spiritual director, a small group of Christ-followers, a coach, an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, a teacher, a close Christian friend, a pastor, etc.  It’s possible to take our thoughts captive but it will require our effort…sometimes a great deal of effort over a long period of time.   

In addition, taking our thoughts captive will require drawing nearer to Jesus through prayer, worship, reading the Bible, tithing, serving the poor, and sharing the love of Jesus with others.  It’s possible to take our thoughts captive but it will require our effort…sometimes a great deal of effort over a long period of time.  

When we think about what is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, and commendable we are taking our thoughts captive.  In those moments, our hearts will be filled with delight in the Lord rather than dread because of our defeats.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug