A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Take Captive"

Many people think that Christianity is a mindless religion. They seem to think that to be a Christian means that you turn off your brain. This is far from true. Scripture enjoins us to have the mind of Christ, to have sound minds, to no longer be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Philippians 2:5; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2) The mind is essential to Christian living. Jesus told us that our love for God was to be all encompassing, all consuming - "love the Lord you God will all you heart, soul, MIND and strength." (Matthew 22:37; emphasis added) Hebrews 8:10 quotes the Old Testament prophecy that in the New Covenant God puts "His laws in their [His people's] MINDS, and write them on their hearts." (Emphasis added)

Our faithfulness to God and consistency in holy living is, to a large degree, dependant upon the way we think. In 2 Corinthians 10 we learn that our battles are fought with spiritual weapons and divine power. We do not by the live or act according to the standards of the world. Therefore, we "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Our transformation into Christlikeness involves the "renewing of our minds." Only then can we think rightly - think Christlike. The renewal of our minds is the work of the Holy Spirit, but we are not mere bystanders in this work. We are called and empowered to participate in this work. Note that the straightforward injunction to take captive every thought is given to us. It is our responsibility - "WE take captive." 2 Timothy 1:7 gloriously proclaims that we are not given a Spirit of timidity, but of "power, love and self-discipline." The Greek word used for self-discipline here is found only here in the New Testament. It denotes a "sound-mind," the ability to think clearly and sensibly so that one can be self-disciplined.

We must guard against being scatterbrained Christians. We need to draw upon the divine resources given us to bring every thought and understanding under Christ's Lordship. The divine resources are many - the indwelling Spirit of God; the Word of God hidden in our hearts; the instruction of godly pastors, teachers, parents, mentors, friends; biblically and doctrinally sound literature. We must avail ourselves of all His resources if we are to make every thought captive to His will and way.

We must also refuse to fill our minds with things that are contrary to holiness. In the world we live ungodly ideas and images are all around us. We do not have full control of what we see and hear. But we do have some control. We can control the books we read, the programs we watch and listen, the magazines we read, the Internet sites we visit, the music we listen to, and the teaching we ascribe to. The utmost care must be taken in what we fill our minds with.

Singleness of heart and mind is crucial to living Christlike. Loving the Lord with all our minds certainly includes "taking every thought captive making it obedient to Christ." We either take every thought captive or we will be held captive by our thoughts. We cannot control what thoughts pop into our minds, but by God's grace and power we do we have full control of them once they are there. Therefore, let us draw upon God's resources and empowerment to take our thoughts captive for Christ. Victory is ours in Christ Jesus!

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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