Holding All Thoughts Captive to Christ

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Holding All Thoughts Captive to Christ

by Lisa Hamilton

Most of our battles are won or lost in our own mind. The enemy’s biggest battlefield is the mind. Genesis 4:7 states, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”

After my conversion, the enemy started attacking my thoughts. Each day I was hit hard in my mind and I kept hearing the lies of the enemy. I cried out to God for help

with how to put on the armor of God and hold my thoughts captive to Christ. James 1:12 states, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Proverbs 25:28 states, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”

Thankfully, God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. We know that the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Bad thoughts and temptations are not sin. They are not sin until we entertain them and practice them. The enemy loves to plant bad thoughts and then condemn us for having them.

Some say it is impossible to test each thought. We can be sure that God would never command something if it were impossible. To overcome temptation, we apply God’s Word. This is vital to walk with God in Spirit and in truth.

We can acknowledge the theme of the thoughts we are having. We identify the source. Is it from God? Or is it from the enemy? We then respond accordingly. If it is from God, we allow it and bear good fruit. If it is a temptation, we acknowledge it and do the following: 1. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). 2. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). God is always faithful family. Our part is to resist and keep resisting until the enemy flees! 3. “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). We serve a mighty God who already won the victory for us. We just need to apply His Word in every situation to see good fruit. 4. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there by any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:7-8). 5. “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

About The Author Lisa Hamilton is the author of His Legacy of Love. She lives with her husband and five children in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her passion is sharing the love of Christ. She encourages others to live in obedience to Him to experience the abundant life. Lisa shares devotions, testimonies, and encouragement on her Facebook page (Happyinsing).