We may feel helpless when it comes to the thoughts that take place in our minds, but we are not. You see, through the power of Christ, we have the ability to take our thoughts and choose to leave them or choose to continue on with the same thought pattern. If we want to have a mindset that reflects Christ’s, we must choose to leave any thought behind that does not please or honor Him. This is a difficult feat. It is impossible on our own power, but with God’s power, He has made this possible.
The apostle Paul wrote about the importance of fighting the thoughts we have that do not reflect Christ in 2 Corinthians 10. In this passage of Scripture, Paul acknowledged that there is a spiritual battle taking place every day and that each one of us must wage war against it. He explained that in this battle, “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ” (verse 5). This verse reveals to us that we are not helpless against the thoughts that we have. We can capture them. That means that we can recognize any thoughts that we have that go against what God’s word teaches and capture them so that they do not have a hold on us. It also means that when we hear others speak thoughts that go against God’s word out loud, we can capture them by calling them out and pointing out what is untrue.
Praise God that we are not held captive by our thoughts, but instead, we can take our thoughts captive and "teach them to obey Christ." This means that with God's power, we can have control over our thoughts. As Christ followers, we can even speak the truth of Christ against the negative, unbiblical thoughts that others have as well.
We can fight against the unbiblical, ungodly thoughts that we have. The question is, are we ready to fight against them? Fighting against them means intentionally paying attention to our thoughts, capturing any thoughts that do not line up with God’s word, and speaking truth over the lies that our thoughts have produced.
Let’s follow the teaching in Scripture and capture every thought that goes against God’s word. Pay attention to your thoughts today. When you have thoughts you know do not reflect Christ, let go of them and think differently. Ask God to help you capture every thought you have and "teach them to obey Christ."
Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. 8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.
9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.
12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!
13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.
15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. 16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
