Thoughts That Shape Us
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (NIV) - 2 Corinthians 10:5
Have you ever read this verse and wondered what it actually looks like to live out? I've often reflected on these words without fully understanding how to put them into practice. At first glance, it reads like a warning that there is a battle taking place in our minds, constantly pulling us away from what is true. And, Scripture is clear about this:
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” - 1 Peter 5:8
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” - Romans 12:2
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” - Philippians 4:8
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” - Colossians 3:2
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” - Isaiah 26:3
Our minds seem pretty valuable, right? Not only do these verses overwhelmingly focus on the importance of what’s going on inside our heads, but also what happens when they’re not properly tended to:
We buy into blasphemy against God.
We let our minds wander to anything and everything.
We are not properly focused.
We do not think through ideas clearly.
We become vulnerable to the ravenous.
We conform to the morality of the world.
We don’t know God’s Will.
We dwell on what isn’t honoring to God.
We set our minds on earthly ideas.
We don’t have peace.
Ultimately, we don’t trust in the Lord.
I recently read Craig Groeschel’s book, Winning the War in Your Mind. It had been sitting in my “To Be Read” pile forever, and, truthfully, I started it with the intention of finishing it to finally get it over with. But it really blew me away! Craig provided incredibly practical situations with easy prompts that help you evaluate thought patterns, based on encouraging and honest monologues from his real life. I highly recommend it!
One practice Craig gave his audience to try was to spend a day writing down their thoughts, taking an audit of what’s really going on inside their head. At first, I felt optimistic about it. I’ve been a believer for a good chunk of my life and work full-time at a church for goodness sake! Yet, throughout the day, I noticed how much I focused on past conversations that hurt my feelings, plans that I made to control things happening around me, or personal desires that weren’t being filled – it was more surprising than I thought. Do all of these things matter to me so much that it’s what fills my head for the majority of the day, week, month, year? What am I really spending my time dwelling on?
Who do I tell myself I am?
Victim or Victor?
Cynic or Encourager?
People-Pleaser or Secure?
Failure or Accepted?
Workaholic or Rested?
Grudge-Holder or Reconciled?
Pessimist or Optimist?
Perfectionist or Content?
Sinner or Forgiven?
Self or Christ?
Taking every thought as obedient to Christ aligns the very control center of our being to be pleasing to Him. It looks like meditating on Scripture over and over and over and over. Going to God in prayer over and over and over and over. Opening up the Word over and over and over and over. Being alone with Jesus over and over and over and over.
We never graduate from the Gospel. We don’t ever “get there”. We continue to show up, spending time with the Lord, and letting Him use us as the vessels for His glory that we were created to be. It is an ongoing and faithful choice. We must take every thought captive, because, truly, our identity hangs in the balance.
Who does your mind say you are?