2 Corinthians 10:5
5Casting 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;
Seems God has been bringing to mind lately teachings about my thoughts... taking my thoughts captive, controlling them -with the help of the Spirit. Taking them captive before they take me captive... taking control of them before they control me... I have had times in my life where there have been events taking place, beyond my control, that were disturbing to me. I found myself thinking about it all the time. go to bed talking about it wake up thinking about it, carrying it through the day with me thinking about it... always trying to figure out a solution, better/different way to handle it... On one occasion, I came to realize that it was consuming my life, it was taking my focus off of the beautiful family I loved, they were suffering and didn't need to be. It was then that I realized that Satan was using this big time. He was using it to steal my joy of the blessings i DID have. He was using it to take my focus off of many of the other things that mattered hugely to God. There is a time to be concerned, a time to help, ... but then we have to give it to God. He IS big enough!! Way big enough to handle it. I am learning that I not only have to take the thought captive, grab it and recognize it for what it is and the potential wrong it can do or is doing... but I need to be equipped, in my mind, with the Word to, as quickly as possible, replace that thought with another uplifting, productive, Godly thought.. a verse, a prayer, praise... anything else that combats the compulsive thought. It is compulsive sometimes obsessive... OCD of the mind/thoughts. that verse says any high thing... idol?( something I am desiring and thinking of that is taking away from my walk with Christ or I know isn't right with Christ) pride?(someone said something to hurt my pride?) something that is holding me back from developing a relationship that would bring someone closer to Christ (maybe me closer). we are to cast down our imaginations, put our high things/idols aside as well as any thought that wouldn't please Christ or keep us from having a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a soundmind. )Then bring into control/captive any thought that is wrong and bring it to obedience... make it right, turn it inside out, wash it, scrub it, stretch it, shrink it, until it is a glory to God and in accordance with the Bible.
I'm not going to say that any of this is easy, I think it is one of the areas I need the most work on. I understand that there is that initial time that we are in the thick of it and can't help but think about it. but when it is carrying over into other times of our day, talking about it with everyone, unknowingly ignoring other happenings, sleeping, waking, eating and working with it in the forefront of my mind, then I need to deal with it -repent where needed and release it to God and replace it with His promises that He will take care of it, He is in control of everything, that He is Big enough...
take thoughts captive so my mind can be free to praise and serve.
