Taking every thought captive..

Not me · Mar 13, 2020

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB)
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,

“taking every thought captive”

This seems at first glance to be something that is close to impossible for a believer to accomplish...Seeing how our thoughts are so random, and at times seem to have a mind of their own..Seeing how this is found to be true, how can the God of love ask or make such a requirement of the objects of His love?

For it does not say take some, or take most, or take only those thoughts that we find wrong or have a problem with, but to take every thought captive... Both those we find pleasing and those not so much....

A constant and continual taking of every thought captive....How can such a thing even be possible?

But since we do know that He is a God of love, and only has good towards us in His heart...There must be a way, and since scripture speaks of the simplicity of the Gospel, it must be quite doable and simple...

So what can have, and take precedence over all thoughts, or even if possible all things, for things, cause thoughts that at times can be very unbecoming....

There is but one thing that can, does and will take precedence over all thoughts, and all things of this world.. There is one thing that causes all things to cease instantaneously, permanently, and can never fail. For it is absolutely impossible for it ever to fail in any circumstance and situation.. So what is this thing?

It is....... death..

If we were to die right this instant, our deaths would instantaneously free us from all things. Both those things that were pleasing to us and those things that would cause or give us pause...If we were to die right this instant, every thought would instantaneously become subject to our death, for death is that which takes all things captive and takes precedence over all things...

This is the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ, open to all, at every moment or situation of life....It can never fail....Christ’s death on the cross is an accomplished fact, nothing in all creation is stronger.. Christ’s death on the cross is that thing that takes all things captive....Our faith in that death, as our death, takes all things in our life captive to that death.

This is the freedom our deaths in Christ brings to us.....A absolute freedom... A simple taking ones place on the cross with Christ by faith, a reckoning themselves dead to all things. This faith takes all things captive...

Since it is the limitless strength of Christ’s death, which is accessed by the strength of our faith...This strength can never fail to the heart that would believe and embrace their death in Christ...This is for all believers, both rich, poor, strong, weak, young, old it matters not....This salvation that He bought for us by taking us to death with Him on the cross, frees us from all thoughts, cravings, desires, anything and everything a person would be freed from if they were to die right this instant. This is an absolute. To the degree ones sees this truth, to that degree will they taste and walk in the freedom this truth brings into the life...

This is the freedom that Christ set us free for...For all things are subject to, and nothing is stronger than His death on the cross....

Therefore faith in our deaths in Him, takes every thought captive..

The thoughts, desires, longings, cravings, won’t, don’t leave or move, but we do, we move away from them in our hearts toward God... Which in turn separates them from us and puts them where they can not control us anymore and are powerless to affect..

They have been taken captive by the faith of the heart turned towards Christ, for if they don’t have the heart, they lose all power and control over the believer.

So to the taking of every thought captive in Christ by the simplicity of the faith of the heart turned towards God, be the longing of our hearts..

To the increase of Christ in us, Not me

Aussie Pete · Mar 13, 2020

Not me said:
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB)
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,

“taking every thought captive”

This seems at first glance to be something that is close to impossible for a believer to accomplish...Seeing how our thoughts are so random, and at times seem to have a mind of their own..Seeing how this is found to be true, how can the God of love ask or make such a requirement of the objects of His love?

For it does not say take some, or take most, or take only those thoughts that we find wrong or have a problem with, but to take every thought captive... Both those we find pleasing and those not so much....

A constant and continual taking of every thought captive....How can such a thing even be possible?

But since we do know that He is a God of love, and only has good towards us in His heart...There must be a way, and since scripture speaks of the simplicity of the Gospel, it must be quite doable and simple...

So what can have, and take precedence over all thoughts, or even if possible all things, for things, cause thoughts that at times can be very unbecoming....

There is but one thing that can, does and will take precedence over all thoughts, and all things of this world.. There is one thing that causes all things to cease instantaneously, permanently, and can never fail. For it is absolutely impossible for it ever to fail in any circumstance and situation.. So what is this thing?

It is....... death..

If we were to die right this instant, our deaths would instantaneously free us from all things. Both those things that were pleasing to us and those things that would cause or give us pause...If we were to die right this instant, every thought would instantaneously become subject to our death, for death is that which takes all things captive and takes precedence over all things...

This is the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ, open to all, at every moment or situation of life....It can never fail....Christ’s death on the cross is an accomplished fact, nothing in all creation is stronger.. Christ’s death on the cross is that thing that takes all things captive....Our faith in that death, as our death, takes all things in our life captive to that death.

This is the freedom our deaths in Christ brings to us.....A absolute freedom... A simple taking ones place on the cross with Christ by faith, a reckoning themselves dead to all things. This faith takes all things captive...

Since it is the limitless strength of Christ’s death, which is accessed by the strength of our faith...This strength can never fail to the heart that would believe and embrace their death in Christ...This is for all believers, both rich, poor, strong, weak, young, old it matters not....This salvation that He bought for us by taking us to death with Him on the cross, frees us from all thoughts, cravings, desires, anything and everything a person would be freed from if they were to die right this instant. This is an absolute. To the degree ones sees this truth, to that degree will they taste and walk in the freedom this truth brings into the life...

This is the freedom that Christ set us free for...For all things are subject to, and nothing is stronger than His death on the cross....

Therefore faith in our deaths in Him, takes every thought captive..

The thoughts, desires, longings, cravings, won’t, don’t leave or move, but we do, we move away from them in our hearts toward God... Which in turn separates them from us and puts them where they can not control us anymore and are powerless to affect..

They have been taken captive by the faith of the heart turned towards Christ, for if they don’t have the heart, they lose all power and control over the believer.

So to the taking of every thought captive in Christ by the simplicity of the faith of the heart turned towards God, be the longing of our hearts..

To the increase of Christ in us, Not me

We need to know that not every thought originates with ourselves. Evil spirits inject thoughts into the mind, trying to get us to accept them. We need our minds clear and renewed in order to function correctly. The mind should serve the spirit. It is not able to do that is it is invaded with unwanted thoughts. Ever have song going through your mind that you can't get rid of? Command it to go in Jesus name. Ever have a thought which leads to many others? Then you realise that you'd started to pray but got completely off the track. Mostly that is an evil spirit distracting you.

I agree with most of your post. We surely need to know that we died with Christ and that we are raised to new life in Him. That helps with our thought immensely. But the battle goes on and we need to resist the devil constantly.

Not me · Mar 13, 2020

Aussie Pete said:
We need to know that not every thought originates with ourselves. Evil spirits inject thoughts into the mind, trying to get us to accept them. We need our minds clear and renewed in order to function correctly. The mind should serve the spirit. It is not able to do that is it is invaded with unwanted thoughts. Ever have song going through your mind that you can't get rid of? Command it to go in Jesus name. Ever have a thought which leads to many others? Then you realise that you'd started to pray but got completely off the track. Mostly that is an evil spirit distracting you.

I agree with most of your post. We surely need to know that we died with Christ and that we are raised to new life in Him. That helps with our thought immensely. But the battle goes on and we need to resist the devil constantly.

To the taking of every thought captive, be blessed in Him, Not me

K2K · Mar 14, 2020

Not me said:
For it does not say take some, or take most, or take only those thoughts that we find wrong or have a problem with, but to take every thought captive.

This is such great advice!

Jesus explained that He did and said only what the Father told Him - and Jesus prayed that we would be one with Him like He was one with the Father. So what we should be doing is indeed taking every thought captive to Him, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now I have to confess that I don't do that. I get busy. I get distracted. I sometimes don't want to do what He tells me to. But the goal remains the same. It is to be one with Jesus Christ like He is one with the Father, which is to say that I should take every thought captive to Jesus Christ and listen to what He has to say about it. If you want a deeper relationship with Him, that is what you are trying to remember to do.

Paul didn't count himself as having achieved yet, but he pressed on. By reading what Paul wrote, it looks to me like he was much better at seeking the Lord than me, but I have the same goal even if I get side tracked more.

It is written that He guides our steps, and Isaiah explained that you would hear a voice behind you every time you turned to the right or to the left. And I was just picking up Him asking me if I would like to take a walk, so I have to go now. Be blessed and listen.

Citizen of the Kingdom · Mar 14, 2020

Not me said:
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB)
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,

“taking every thought captive”

This seems at first glance to be something that is close to impossible for a believer to accomplish...Seeing how our thoughts are so random, and at times seem to have a mind of their own..Seeing how this is found to be true, how can the God of love ask or make such a requirement of the objects of His love?

For it does not say take some, or take most, or take only those thoughts that we find wrong or have a problem with, but to take every thought captive... Both those we find pleasing and those not so much....

A constant and continual taking of every thought captive....How can such a thing even be possible?

But since we do know that He is a God of love, and only has good towards us in His heart...There must be a way, and since scripture speaks of the simplicity of the Gospel, it must be quite doable and simple...

So what can have, and take precedence over all thoughts, or even if possible all things, for things, cause thoughts that at times can be very unbecoming....

There is but one thing that can, does and will take precedence over all thoughts, and all things of this world.. There is one thing that causes all things to cease instantaneously, permanently, and can never fail. For it is absolutely impossible for it ever to fail in any circumstance and situation.. So what is this thing?

It is....... death..

If we were to die right this instant, our deaths would instantaneously free us from all things. Both those things that were pleasing to us and those things that would cause or give us pause...If we were to die right this instant, every thought would instantaneously become subject to our death, for death is that which takes all things captive and takes precedence over all things...

This is the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ, open to all, at every moment or situation of life....It can never fail....Christ’s death on the cross is an accomplished fact, nothing in all creation is stronger.. Christ’s death on the cross is that thing that takes all things captive....Our faith in that death, as our death, takes all things in our life captive to that death.

This is the freedom our deaths in Christ brings to us.....A absolute freedom... A simple taking ones place on the cross with Christ by faith, a reckoning themselves dead to all things. This faith takes all things captive...

Since it is the limitless strength of Christ’s death, which is accessed by the strength of our faith...This strength can never fail to the heart that would believe and embrace their death in Christ...This is for all believers, both rich, poor, strong, weak, young, old it matters not....This salvation that He bought for us by taking us to death with Him on the cross, frees us from all thoughts, cravings, desires, anything and everything a person would be freed from if they were to die right this instant. This is an absolute. To the degree ones sees this truth, to that degree will they taste and walk in the freedom this truth brings into the life...

This is the freedom that Christ set us free for...For all things are subject to, and nothing is stronger than His death on the cross....

Therefore faith in our deaths in Him, takes every thought captive..

The thoughts, desires, longings, cravings, won’t, don’t leave or move, but we do, we move away from them in our hearts toward God... Which in turn separates them from us and puts them where they can not control us anymore and are powerless to affect..

They have been taken captive by the faith of the heart turned towards Christ, for if they don’t have the heart, they lose all power and control over the believer.

So to the taking of every thought captive in Christ by the simplicity of the faith of the heart turned towards God, be the longing of our hearts..

To the increase of Christ in us, Not me

Taking captive to Christ also means allowing Him the privilege of using our thoughts to His discretion. His revelations are sometimes meant for our growth or other times for others so obedience to His leading also becomes a factor. What is for others can be seen as the leaves of our tree of life given for the nations while the things for personal growth are the deep hidden things that supply life to the roots. The soil covers the roots. Thoughts are like seeds planted and need to grow to produce a harvest. Received thru the spirit, they need to be assimilated and digested by the mind, before serving or composting. Otherwise it is indigestible to the person that was supposed to be fed by it.

Francis Drake · Mar 14, 2020

Aussie Pete said:
We need to know that not every thought originates with ourselves. Evil spirits inject thoughts into the mind, trying to get us to accept them. We need our minds clear and renewed in order to function correctly. The mind should serve the spirit. It is not able to do that is it is invaded with unwanted thoughts. Ever have song going through your mind that you can't get rid of? Command it to go in Jesus name. Ever have a thought which leads to many others? Then you realise that you'd started to pray but got completely off the track. Mostly that is an evil spirit distracting you.

I agree with most of your post. We surely need to know that we died with Christ and that we are raised to new life in Him. That helps with our thought immensely. But the battle goes on and we need to resist the devil constantly.

I could have written this Pete!
If only Christians understood that a high percentage of the things that drift in and out of our minds were put there by demons.
How else do demons attack Christians if it doesn't start in the mind?

Demons whisper their thoughts, and if we are not alert, we start a dialogue that seems to us just a tossing around of ideas. But its demons that are mastering the direction the thoughts are going, drawing us deeper and deeper into their web of deceit.

There comes a point, a "Eureka" point, when we suddenly agree to those thoughts, "Yes, that's a good idea, I'm gonna do that and that...…..!"

The moment we nod an internal agreement to those whispering demons, they walk through the open door and take up residence.
Later on, when you start to have misgivings about the whole thing, you are no longer in command, they've got you by the short and curlies, you are now demonised and the only way to get free is full repentance and then casting the demons out.

Citizen of the Kingdom · Mar 14, 2020

Francis Drake said:
I could have written this Pete!
If only Christians understood that a high percentage of the things that drift in and out of our minds were put there by demons.
How else do demons attack Christians if it doesn't start in the mind?

Demons whisper their thoughts, and if we are not alert, we start a dialogue that seems to us just a tossing around of ideas. But its demons that are mastering the direction the thoughts are going, drawing us deeper and deeper into their web of deceit.

There comes a point, a "Eureka" point, when we suddenly agree to those thoughts, "Yes, that's a good idea, I'm gonna do that and that...…..!"

The moment we nod an internal agreement to those whispering demons, they walk through the open door and take up residence.
Later on, when you start to have misgivings about the whole thing, you are no longer in command, they've got you by the short and curlies, you are now demonised and the only way to get free is full repentance and then casting the demons out.

IT’s no different than following after evil to follow after thoughts that question the goodness of God. That’s really what false prophets do. 2 Peter 2
1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. 3In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.…

Citizen of the Kingdom · Mar 14, 2020

Francis Drake said:
I you are now demonised and the only way to get free is full repentance and then casting the demons out.

Having read some of your other posts I’m assuming you mean exorcism.

Like the old Adam, choosing to understand evil is to place him/herself to stand under satan. They choose to be independent of God. Satan can gain entrance thru that consent of the will.

Adam/male fell because his emotions were out of place in not loving God first. Adam/female fell because desires were misplaced and she choose a shortcut to wisdom that was falsely described.

Under satan can be reversed. Their foolish mistake was not w/o a means of escape. Christ is the only effective means. Only He can make intercessions for the transgressors. Trusting in God does not preclude trusting in another person’s strength.

What is to be desired is the wisdom from God, so as to delight in the Lord and receive from Him His edification for growth and nourishment.

Francis Drake · Mar 14, 2020

~Cassia~ said:
IT’s no different than following after evil to follow after thoughts that question the goodness of God.

The question is, where do those thoughts come from?

If christians are not awake to the wiles of the devil, they will be taken captive.

Doctrines of demons all start in the thoughts of someone who listens to demons.

Citizen of the Kingdom · Mar 14, 2020

Francis Drake said:
The question is, where do those thoughts come from?

If christians are not awake to the wiles of the devil, they will be taken captive.

Doctrines of demons all start in the thoughts of someone who listens to demons.

Same place as that which was presented in the garden. I agree, they really are not.

Eph 5
for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Sage advise for all.

Citizen of the Kingdom · Mar 14, 2020

Not me said:
2
<......snip>
There is one thing that causes all things to cease instantaneously, permanently, and can never fail. For it is absolutely impossible for it ever to fail in any circumstance and situation.. So what is this thing?
It is....... death..

If we were to die right this instant, our deaths would instantaneously free us from all things. Both those things that were pleasing to us and those things that would cause or give us pause...If we were to die right this instant, every thought would instantaneously become subject to our death, for death is that which takes all things captive and takes precedence over all things...

This is the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ, open to all, at every moment or situation of life....It can never fail....Christ’s death on the cross is an accomplished fact, nothing in all creation is stronger.. Christ’s death on the cross is that thing that takes all things captive....Our faith in that death, as our death, takes all things in our life captive to that death.

This is the freedom our deaths in Christ brings to us.....A absolute freedom... A simple taking ones place on the cross with Christ by faith, a reckoning themselves dead to all things. This faith takes all things captive...

Since it is the limitless strength of Christ’s death, which is accessed by the strength of our faith...This strength can never fail to the heart that would believe and embrace their death in Christ...This is for all believers, both rich, poor, strong, weak, young, old it matters not....This salvation that He bought for us by taking us to death with Him on the cross, frees us from all thoughts, cravings, desires, anything and everything a person would be freed from if they were to die right this instant. This is an absolute. To the degree ones sees this truth, to that degree will they taste and walk in the freedom this truth brings into the life...

This is the freedom that Christ set us free for...For all things are subject to, and nothing is stronger than His death on the cross....

Therefore faith in our deaths in Him, takes every thought captive..

The thoughts, desires, longings, cravings, won’t, don’t leave or move, but we do, we move away from them in our hearts toward God... Which in turn separates them from us and puts them where they can not control us anymore and are powerless to affect..

They have been taken captive by the faith of the heart turned towards Christ, for if they don’t have the heart, they lose all power and control over the believer.

So to the taking of every thought captive in Christ by the simplicity of the faith of the heart turned towards God, be the longing of our hearts..

To the increase of Christ in us, Not me

Spiritual death like Adam's wasn’t a ‘cessation of communication with environment’ but rather a cessation of communication with God because of that loss of sensitivity to Him.

The thoughts, desires, longings, cravings, won’t, don’t leave or move, but we do, we move away from them in our hearts toward God... Which in turn separates them from us and puts them where they can not control us anymore and are powerless to affect..

they can only be turned back by having the right desires, seeking the kingdom first

So to the taking of every thought captive in Christ by the simplicity of the faith of the heart turned towards God, be the longing of our hearts..

Francis Drake · Mar 14, 2020

~Cassia~ said:
Having read some of your other posts I’m assuming you mean exorcism.

Don't like that word, but yes.

Like the old Adam, choosing to understand evil is to place him/herself to stand under satan. They choose to be independent of God. Satan can gain entrance thru that consent of the will.

Very perceptive, not many people realise Adam and Eve chose to be independent of God. That's what Satan offered when he said, "You can be like God!"
Becoming like God, meant they wanted to run the planet without God. That choice cut them off from God and they died spiritually, just as God had warned

Adam/male fell because his emotions were out of place in not loving God first. Adam/female fell because desires were misplaced and she choose a shortcut to wisdom that was falsely described.

If they had listened to God, the shortest cut to real wisdom would have been by eating from the Tree of Life (Wisdom).
Prov3v13Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
19The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;

Under satan can be reversed. Their foolish mistake was not w/o a means of escape. Christ is the only effective means. Only He can make intercessions for the transgressors. Trusting in God does not preclude trusting in another person’s strength.

That's what the coat of skins was about. To make skins, it means an animal get killed. In other words, the principle of blood sacrifice was demonstrated in the garden, and that alone is why the Lord accepted Abel's but refused Cain's sacrifice.
Redemption from Satan is only by the blood of the lamb.

What is to be desired is the wisdom from God, so as to delight in the Lord and receive from Him His edification for growth and nourishment.

We are commanded to cast demons out. Its as simple as that.
Mark16v17And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Citizen of the Kingdom · Mar 14, 2020

Francis Drake said:
We are commanded to cast demons out. Its as simple as that.
Mark16v17And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Something one giving or receiving is not guaranteed acceptance.

Dunamis (spellcheck) -The energy/activity ....the noetic activity which wells forth from the essence of the nous, which can be darkened or enlightened.

Matt 7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?

K2K · Mar 14, 2020

~Cassia~ said:
Taking captive to Christ also means allowing Him the privilege of using our thoughts to His discretion. His revelations are sometimes meant for our growth or other times for others so obedience to His leading also becomes a factor. What is for others can be seen as the leaves of our tree of life given for the nations while the things for personal growth are the deep hidden things that supply life to the roots. The soil covers the roots. Thoughts are like seeds planted and need to grow to produce a harvest. Received thru the spirit, they need to be assimilated and digested by the mind, before serving or composting. Otherwise it is indigestible to the person that was supposed to be fed by it.

As our Lord we certainly want to do what He asks. However we have thoughts, and our thoughts are not His thoughts. Through Isaiah, God said to come reason with Him and though are sins were red they would be white as snow. So I think we need to be careful in thinking that God is controlling my thoughts. Again, His thoughts are not our thoughts!!

Honestly, when I do reason with Him this becomes very clear. I tend to think a certain way that makes sense to me, then I take that thinking to the Lord and He reproves me, and OP is right about pointing out every though not just the thoughts we don't think are good.

For example, I had certain plans for today, and He changed them up. He had me go and get inventory for my business today. It turned out that the place I got it had an excellent sale that I had not seen. And better yet, the competition because of the current circumstances , was very little. So I got great prices and a great selection because people were fearing the things of this world and not God, and because I was seeking Him and His thoughts instead of my thoughts. If I assumed that His thoughts are my thoughts I would not have take my thoughts captive to Him, sought His voice, and got a great deals because I listened to Him.

So while I agree that He can use my thoughts to our advantage, it is wise to not think my thoughts are His thoughts. That your thought captive to Him. Reason with Him and you will know that His thoughts are not your thoughts!

Francis Drake · Mar 14, 2020

~Cassia~ said:
Something one giving or receiving is not guaranteed acceptance.

I haven't a clue what this means.

Dunamis (spellcheck) -The energy/activity ....the noetic activity which wells forth from the essence of the nous, which can be darkened or enlightened.

Ditto

Matt 7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?

What's the point of posting that half passage. Are you implying I'm an unbeliever because I cast demons out?

Here's the full measure.-
Matt7v22Many will say to Me in that the day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23And then I will declare unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart you from Me, those working lawlessness.’

Citizen of the Kingdom · Mar 14, 2020

Francis Drake said:
I haven't a clue what this means.

Ditto

What's the point of posting that half passage. Are you implying I'm an unbeliever because I cast demons out?

Here's the full measure.-
Matt7v22Many will say to Me in that the day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23And then I will declare unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart you from Me, those working lawlessness.’

K2K said:
As our Lord we certainly want to do what He asks. However we have thoughts, and our thoughts are not His thoughts. Through Isaiah, God said to come reason with Him and though are sins were red they would be white as snow. So I think we need to be careful in thinking that God is controlling my thoughts. Again, His thoughts are not our thoughts!!

Honestly, when I do reason with Him this becomes very clear. I tend to think a certain way that makes sense to me, then I take that thinking to the Lord and He reproves me, and OP is right about pointing out every though not just the thoughts we don't think are good.

For example, I had certain plans for today, and He changed them up. He had me go and get inventory for my business today. It turned out that the place I got it had an excellent sale that I had not seen. And better yet, the competition because of the current circumstances , was very little. So I got great prices and a great selection because people were fearing the things of this world and not God, and because I was seeking Him and His thoughts instead of my thoughts. If I assumed that His thoughts are my thoughts I would not have take my thoughts captive to Him, sought His voice, and got a great deals because I listened to Him.

So while I agree that He can use my thoughts to our advantage, it is wise to not think my thoughts are His thoughts. That your thought captive to Him. Reason with Him and you will know that His thoughts are not your thoughts!

I’m thinking neither of these responses are valid to my posts content. Have a nice day.

Not me · Mar 14, 2020

K2K said:
This is such great advice!

Jesus explained that He did and said only what the Father told Him - and Jesus prayed that we would be one with Him like He was one with the Father. So what we should be doing is indeed taking every thought captive to Him, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now I have to confess that I don't do that. I get busy. I get distracted. I sometimes don't want to do what He tells me to. But the goal remains the same. It is to be one with Jesus Christ like He is one with the Father, which is to say that I should take every thought captive to Jesus Christ and listen to what He has to say about it. If you want a deeper relationship with Him, that is what you are trying to remember to do.

Paul didn't count himself as having achieved yet, but he pressed on. By reading what Paul wrote, it looks to me like he was much better at seeking the Lord than me, but I have the same goal even if I get side tracked more.

It is written that He guides our steps, and Isaiah explained that you would hear a voice behind you every time you turned to the right or to the left. And I was just picking up Him asking me if I would like to take a walk, so I have to go now. Be blessed and listen.

Thank you so very much for the encouragement..

I see God is alive and well in you....A heart that can examine itself, is a heart that can be, and is being taught from above.

Be most blessed in His teaching and your growing up into Him in all things, along with all those that call on Him out of a pure heart.

A fellow believer, Not me

~Cassia~ said:
Taking captive to Christ also means allowing Him the privilege of using our thoughts to His discretion. His revelations are sometimes meant for our growth or other times for others so obedience to His leading also becomes a factor. What is for others can be seen as the leaves of our tree of life given for the nations while the things for personal growth are the deep hidden things that supply life to the roots. The soil covers the roots. Thoughts are like seeds planted and need to grow to produce a harvest. Received thru the spirit, they need to be assimilated and digested by the mind, before serving or composting. Otherwise it is indigestible to the person that was supposed to be fed by it.

Thanks you for your thoughts and input.. As long as each and every day we grow closer to Him..

Be blessed in Him, Not me

~Cassia~ said:
Spiritual death like Adam's wasn’t a ‘cessation of communication with environment’ but rather a cessation of communication with God because of that loss of sensitivity to Him.

they can only be turned back by having the right desires, seeking the kingdom first

Be blessed as we learn to, reckon ourselves dead onto sin and alive unto God, that we might take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ..

A fellow servant of His, Not me

sunshineforJesus · Mar 14, 2020

Ive been learning to do this.

Not me · Mar 15, 2020

sunshineforJesus said:
Ive been learning to do this.

You and me both. Be blessed as we learn Christ....

A fellow servant of His, Not me

Aussie Pete · Mar 15, 2020

Francis Drake said:
I could have written this Pete!
If only Christians understood that a high percentage of the things that drift in and out of our minds were put there by demons.
How else do demons attack Christians if it doesn't start in the mind?

Demons whisper their thoughts, and if we are not alert, we start a dialogue that seems to us just a tossing around of ideas. But its demons that are mastering the direction the thoughts are going, drawing us deeper and deeper into their web of deceit.

There comes a point, a "Eureka" point, when we suddenly agree to those thoughts, "Yes, that's a good idea, I'm gonna do that and that...…..!"

The moment we nod an internal agreement to those whispering demons, they walk through the open door and take up residence.
Later on, when you start to have misgivings about the whole thing, you are no longer in command, they've got you by the short and curlies, you are now demonised and the only way to get free is full repentance and then casting the demons out.

I recommend "War on the Saints" by Jesse Penn Lewis. She saw a lot of error that crept into the Welsh Revival. Watchman Nee has much to say in "The Spiritual Man".

Nee describes it as occupying territory. Evil spirits will attempt to build a fortress in the mind. It could start off with "I'm not good enough..." (evil spirits pretend to be us). If we do not answer with the truth, we are on the way to being bound. Every time there is a call on us, we excuse ourselves by "I'm not good enough". This may we be a fact but it is not the truth. If we are born again, we are new creations in Christ and we have all that He is to be all that we should be.

Many fine Christians are paralysed by that false humility. Virtually every attack from evil spirits is designed to keep us focused on self. We need to resist and replace the lies with the truth.

Taking every thought captive..

Righteousness is right and not me.

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Righteousness is right and not me.

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Returning adventurer.

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Returning adventurer.

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Returning adventurer.

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Newbie

Returning adventurer.

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Righteousness is right and not me.

is so in love with God

Righteousness is right and not me.

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