Higher Standard

3 Truths and 3 Ways to Take Every Thought Captive

I have noticed something interesting since these stay at home orders began.  I have had more time to think about my thoughts.  I know that sounds crazy, but with a night class and commuting to and from school each day, spring semester has kept me busy.  However, for the past few weeks I have not had to drive to and from school, and my online lectures are much shorter than the in-person ones.  Suddenly, I’ve had more time to think and notice where my thoughts drift. 

I would love to say that my thoughts tend to drift toward positive, godly patterns, but the truth is, they don’t.  My thoughts easily drift into negative patterns, like anxiety, grumbling, what-ifs, and the list goes on.  These thought patterns reveal my sin nature, my imperfections. 

I was feeling discouraged by my thought patterns.  Controlling my thoughts has always felt a little impossible, and my attempts these past few weeks had felt pointless.  I have always heard people say to take your thoughts captive, but it always felt like a vague concept that I did not know how to implement.  But then I watched a psychology lecture that opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking about my thoughts. 

In the lecture, my professor talked about retraining our automatic thoughts, and he quoted 2 Corinthians 10:5, saying we are to take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”  Our thought patterns can be rewired through challenging and changing them.  We have free will, which means we have a choice over our thoughts (even if it doesn’t feel like it!).  This lecture helped me understand better what it means to take my thoughts captive. As I have been thinking about what this means, I thought I would share three truths God has been teaching me about changing my thoughts.     

1: Changing my thoughts requires knowing what is in my heart.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.  Psalm 139:23-24

If we are not continually asking God to search our hearts, to remove the hurtful, sinful ways in us, and to lead us in His ways, we won’t change.  We will stay where we are.  If we want to grow, we have to be willing to be uncomfortable and let God search us and convict us with His Holy Spirit. 

2: Changing my thoughts is not easy – it’s a battle! 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Weapons, warfare, destruction of fortresses… this passage is full of battle imagery.  I want growth to be easy, to become more like Christ without much effort on my part.  But that is not what God’s word says.  Christ did not call me to the easy life; He called me to take up my cross (see Luke 9:23-26).  We are warned over and over throughout Scripture that following Christ will be a battle, but we are promised God’s strength (Eph. 6:10), presence (Matt. 28:20), and help (Heb. 13:6). 

3: The goal is to make my thoughts obedient to Christ. 

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5

Taking our thoughts captive is not about achieving amazing self-control or better mental health.  The goal is to become more like Christ, to the very core of our beings.  The point is to obey Christ even in our thought life, where no one else can see it.  That is the true test of obedience, and it is only possible by His enabling grace (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). 

So, now that we have covered the how and why behind taking our thoughts captive, here are a few ways to get started in changing our thoughts:

1: Exchange worry for rejoicing. 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7

Whenever we’re tempted to worry or be anxious, we can pray, give thanks, and choose to rejoice in the goodness of God.  It’s hard to keep worrying when you’re focused on rejoicing in the Lord!

2: Exchange self-focus for others-focus. 

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; Philippians 2:3

My human nature does not like to regard others as more important than myself.  I am naturally me-focused, wanting to think about me, put me first, love myself most, and then maybe have a little energy left over to focus on others.  But as a Christian, I am called to be others-focused and put others needs above my own because that is what Christ did for me.  This requires exchanging pride for humility, selfishness for selflessness, and an inward focus for an outward focus. 

3: Exchange an earthly perspective for a heavenly perspective. 

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  Colossians 3:1-2

How do we practically set our minds on the things above?  It starts with getting into the Word, praying, and spending intentional time in our Savior’s presence.  It’s making sure that our priorities are in line with God’s kingdom, that we are participating in things that will last to eternity.  It’s dwelling on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, and things worthy of praise (see Phil. 4:8) rather than anything that does not honor our Lord. 

I hope you are encouraged today with this reminder, that we can take every thought captive to obedience to Christ.  May we be people who live in obedience to Christ to the very core of our being, because He is worthy!

With love,

Kelsey