Every Thought

2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB We demolish ever proud argument that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

The results of a 2020 study suggest people typically have 6,000–7,000 thoughts per day. And whether we want to admit it or not, each of those thoughts has consequences. In the world of psychology, it is referred to as the cognitive triangle, the continuous cycle between our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It describes how our thoughts influence how we feel, which influences our actions, which again influences our thoughts, and so on. So, it is not surprising that scripture has a lot to say about our thoughts.

There are few things more important for a Christ-follower than to learn to guard, strengthen, and renew our minds, because the battle for our life always begins in the mind. Proverbs 4:23 instructs us, “above all else, guard your heart and mind, for everything you do flows from it.” In other words: whatever gets your mind, gets you. In the frantic struggle for peace of mind, it is ‘taking every thought captive’ that opens the door to receiving God’s perfect peace. Isaiah 26:3 TPT promises, “Perfect peace surrounds those whose minds are consumed with you; they confidently trust in you.”

Taking every thought captive is not simply changing your point of view on a topic. Romans 12:2 clarifies, “be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think.” God is not into redecorating; just making things look outwardly better. God wants to transform, to completely change our inner character, our thoughts, and the resulting behavior and actions. As a caterpillar becomes a butterfly or a tadpole becomes a frog, God’s desire is to completely transform the way we see people and events around us and to transform the way we think about them. Seeing each individual and event through spiritual eyes, the way God views them, and equipping us with the same mind as Christ (Philippians 2:5) is a significant part of God’s transformative work in us.

Taking every thought captive is never done through inner strength or willpower. Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 10:5 make it clear this battle is fought through surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit and with ‘God’s weapons’. Ephesians 6:13–18 outlines these God weapons: truth, peace, faith (trusting that God is who He says he is and He will do what he says he will do), salvation (surrendering to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, receiving his complete payment for my sin), the Word of God (reading it, knowing it, living it), and praying in the Spirit (praying in full agreement with God, his character, and his promises). Choosing joy, gratitude, worship, praise, and confession—these are all mighty weapons to fight the battle of taking every thought captive.

Philippians 4:6–8 gives us two ways to guard our minds. The first is pray, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Then God tells us what we should be thinking about. “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Whatever we feed into our minds will produce either peace or mental turmoil. Surrender your mind and thoughts to the Holy Spirit today and experience God’s immeasurable peace.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony 

Psalms 19:14 TPT So may the words of my mouth, my meditations, thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure, pleasing, and acceptable before your eyes, Yahweh, my only Redeemer, my Protector.

James 3:17 NLT But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

Psalms 104:34 NLT May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.

Romans 12:2 TPT Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.

Hebrews 4:12 TPT For we have the living Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts.

Proverbs 4:23-27 GNT Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Never say anything that isn't true. Have nothing to do with lies and misleading words. Look straight ahead with honest confidence; don't hang your head in shame. Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.

1 Corinthians 2:11 NLT No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.

1 Peter 1:13 AMP So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober, steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert, fix your hope completely on the grace of God that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Isaiah 55:6-7 NIV Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Titus 2:2 TPT Lead the older men into disciplined lives full of dignity and self-control. Urge them to have a solid faith, generous love, and patient endurance.

Romans 12:9-12 NLT Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 NLT Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.

2 Timothy 1:7 TPT For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.

Ephesians 4:23-24 NLT Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Proverbs 23:7 NASB As a man thinks, so he is.