What’s On Your Mind?

What's On Your Mind

by Alycia Morales

Did you know that, like God, you are a three-part being? We have a physical body, a spirit, and a soul. Our soul is our mind, our thought-life. It’s where our emotions reside. Here’s the thing about thoughts and emotions: they can be incredibly deceptive.

Consider the things you think about on a regular basis.

If we don’t take our thoughts captive to Jesus Christ, our minds can take us way off course. {Click to Tweet}

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christand being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled (2 Corinthians 10:4-6).

What's On Your MindWhere do our thoughts go that we would need to capture them?

I’d say they wander into the wilderness.

1. Our past: This is where the enemy likes to play the most with me. He loves to remind me of what I did way back when. Or who I hurt. Or who hurt me.

2. The what-ifs: What if I had done this instead of that? Did I walk out from under God’s will? What if I’d never …

3. Adultery and Murder: Whenever we think about someone other than our spouse (or God, if we’re single) in a way that could be considered lustful, we commit adultery. When we despise another, we commit murder. In our hearts. So in this instance, our thought-life – our soul – has taken control of our heart. (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28)

4. Doubt and Unbelief: Was that really God speaking to me? Or was it just my head? Can I really be healed? Are their prayers working? I think I just felt that pain in my knee again.

5. Worry and Fear. Where is the next paycheck coming from? The electric company is going to shut me off tomorrow. My husband’s just been diagnosed with x,y, or z. We’re moving, but we don’t know where. Lord, it’s the final hour! Where are You?

So how do we take them captive?

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 tells us that our weapons of warfare are not carnal. They’re mighty in God.

The Weapons of Our Warfare1. Remind the Devil that you are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ and tell him that he can’t touch you. Your past is buried and dead. You are a new creation in Christ. Think about who you’ve become, and thank God for who He created you to be. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

2. I always think about Lot’s wife when I consider the what-ifs. God told Lot and his family not to look back at their life. Looking back takes our eyes off what God has in store for our future. It’s like we’re telling God that our lives were better without Him or when we were knee-deep in our sin. Focus on what God is doing now. Don’t lose sight of the road He’s put you on by wishing you could go back to your old ways.

3. Think about your own spouse or focus on your First Love, Jesus. If you’re angry or frustrated or bored, remember what initially attracted you to them. Then think about the one good thing you see in them today. Turn that train around. If you’re really angry, start with a prayer of forgiveness, ask God to reveal His truth to you, and pray for the well-being of the person you’ve got an issue with. (Proverbs 5:15-23, Matthew 6:14-15)

4. Go to the Word. Talk with someone you trust who will share the Truth with you. And believe in faith. God promises to give us the desires of our hearts if we will trust Him to do it. (Psalm 27:3-6) His word will not come back void. (Isaiah 55:11)

5. Pray. Nothing quenches worry or fear like prayer. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Tweetable:

Have your thoughts wandered into the wilderness? 5 Ways to Take Them Captive {Click to Tweet}

Join the Inspiration: Can you think of another way your mind wanders? How can you bring it back from there? Share your thoughts. We’d love to hear them.

 

Pirate Preacher

The Pirate Preacher is the Communications Director at Christ' Church at Moore Square. On Monday nights he leads a "Jesus Study" in Moore Square. Each Sunday between 12:30 and 2:00 the Pirate Preacher and others, gather in the park to hand out food, water, and other items that add to the abundant life Jesus promised. He's also is an award-winning author of middle-grade, YA, and adult fiction and a writing coach and instructor.

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