…Bringing into Captivity Every Thought…

2 Cor 10:5b MKJV reads, “and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ; ”

Every one of my thoughts must be obedient to God, just as every one of Jesus’ thoughts is obedient to God.  Jesus’ thoughts were always aligned with God’s will.  So, more and more of my thoughts are also to align with God’s will, His purposes.”

The Bible in Basic English puts it this way, “and causing every thought to come under the authority of Christ;”

With practice in listening to the voice of our Shepherd, it becomes easier to recognize when your thought is not His.  The anxiety, the greed, selfishness, envy, trying to convince someone of your point of view – all of these, and others you will come to recognize as not Christ’s,  are the “old man’s” thoughts.  As soon as you catch a whiff of the old man, that’s the moment to pray, “Lord, teach me to love ____ .”  (That person may be yourself.)  And have the conviction that that is exactly what He will do as you face that person.  (Mark 11, 24 and 25)  Or, “Help me forgive and love ____ .”  For  that is guaranteed to be God’s will, no matter what else He may have you do.

Paul’s passionate salutation was always some variation of  “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  The beautiful thing is the more you “cause every thought to come under the authority of Christ;” the greater will be  your grace and peace.