I dont think we can bring thoughts captive.What is your opinion?

[Rising SON]

A pastor used to always tell us in his church,they had to bring every thought captive because they are powerful things,that can create circumstances.

In my opinion the whole idea of bringing every thought captive is ridiculous.No one can.They often come as fast as a lightning bolt anyway,and sometimes as fast as you get rid of one, there is another to replace it.

It says in Philippians to dwell on good things,amen to that.

Often people will misquote 2 Corinthians 10:5.
There Paul was saying he would bring every thought captive.It was not his own thoughts. He meant it as if to say,I will bring down every argument,and all your thoughts,as per your false ministry.As he was going to confront them,not his own arguments or thoughts.

So anyway,I don’t know if this is debate worthy or not.To me,thoughts are not that powerful as far as affecting things in a supernatural way.Yes,they can make us not realize our potentials and such.I just don’t hink they matter that much,or in a “magical” sense that he implied.Like those in the church were making things happen by their thoughts 'out there" if you understand what I mean.Thanks.

What are your thoughts?

 

[nephilimiyr]

If you're going to question the biblical statement of holding every thought captive, why are you not questioning every verse or passage out of scripture? LOL, you believe a man can die and be brought back to life but you have trouble believeing that we can control our thoughts? I think you should really think hard about what you believe. Do you really believe Jesus was raised from the dead, yes or no?

 

[Svt4Him]

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Seems you're assuming he's talking about other people's thoughts, but if they were other people's arguments, they are no longer thoughts. I'd have to say we are to bring ever thought under control, and it's a stretch how you're interpreting it.

 

[JimB]

If you're going to question the biblical statement of holding every thought captive, why are you not questioning every verse or passage out of scripture? LOL, you believe a man can die and be brought back to life but you have trouble believeing that we can control our thoughts? I think you should really think hard about what you believe. Do you really believe Jesus was raised from the dead, yes or no?

Is this a discussion of the resurrection of Christ?

Maybe I misread the OP.

Try to stay focused, Neph. You're off topic on the very first post.

RS, you make a good point. Maybe we do need to look into the verse a little deeper. Much of our interpretations of scripture is based on superficial reading, anyhow.

~Jim

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties. ~Francis Bacon​

​

 

[JimB]

*****

Often people will misquote 2 Corinthians 10:5.
There Paul was saying he would bring every thought captive.It was not his own thoughts. He meant it as if to say,I will bring down every argument,and all your thoughts,as per your false ministry.As he was going to confront them,not his own arguments or thoughts.

*****

What are your thoughts?

The NLT seems to support your view, RS:

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (1 Cor 10, NLT)
​

as does the CEV:

5 and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people's thoughts and make them obey Christ. (1 Cor, CEV)
​

~Jim

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties. ~Francis Bacon​

​

 

[probinson]

2 Corinthians 10:5 (AMP)
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
​

This is a good passage of scripture. It is basically saying that when someone tries to plant a thought in you that goes contrary to the knowledge of God, you take it captive and bring it in line to the obedience of Christ.

Thoughts are not magical, but if we are to believe Proverbs 23, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Even the world understands this principle.

To say no one can take their thoughts captive is to diminish the power of God in our lives. We all have the power, Life, and Love of God living and dwelling inside of us. Certainly we can control our thoughts, and if we can't, perhaps we should renew our minds.

 

[JimB]

2 Corinthians 10:5 (AMP)
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
​

This is a good passage of scripture. It is basically saying that when someone tries to plant a thought in you that goes contrary to the knowledge of God, you take it captive and bring it in line to the obedience of Christ.

Thoughts are not magical, but if we are to believe Proverbs 23, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Even the world understands this principle.

To say no one can take their thoughts captive is to diminish the power of God in our lives. We all have the power, Life, and Love of God living and dwelling inside of us. Certainly we can control our thoughts, and if we can't, perhaps we should renew our minds.

Actually, what 1 Cor 10.5 is saying is …

3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient. (NLT)
​

As you can see, vs. 5 has nothing to do with me bringing my thoughts into captivity. It’s about using God’s mighty weapons to “capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” We do that through preaching the Gospel and communicating to unregenerate people the truth that makes them free.

~Jim

You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.​

 

[Rising SON]

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Seems you're assuming he's talking about other people's thoughts, but if they were other people's arguments, they are no longer thoughts. I'd have to say we are to bring ever thought under control, and it's a stretch how you're interpreting it.

Excuse me,but Paul was clearly talking about taking on THEIR thoughts.

First,notice he was addressing the false apostles,much of the letter was about them.He wanted to come to them,as he was talkining about them.

2 Corinthians1-2
By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away! 2I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.

Here we see where Paul was ready to fight the false teachers,whom later in Chapter 11,he called them "angels of light".Those whom were deceiving the church as per 11"4 "The super apostles" (verse 5).It was their arguments and pretensions Paul was speaking of,not his own.

2 Corinthians4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We 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


And here wee see he was ready to punish them,not himself.

2 Corinthians 6
And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Thank you.

 

[Rising SON]

The NLT seems to support your view, RS:

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (1 Cor 10, NLT)
​

as does the CEV:

5 and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people's thoughts and make them obey Christ. (1 Cor, CEV)
​

~Jim

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties. ~Francis Bacon​

I agree.Paul was ready to take them on,along with their false teachings.

 

[probinson]

As you can see, vs. 5 has nothing to do with me bringing my thoughts into captivity. It’s about using God’s mighty weapons to “capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” We do that through preaching the Gospel and communicating to unregenerate people the truth that makes them free.

While I will not dispute that the NLT seems to translate the scripture that way, it is far from definitive proof.

Most other translations of that verse do not support this view. Not only that, but it would be darn near impossible (not to mention incredibly hypocritical) for us to try and bring other people's thoughts into the obedience of Christ if we can't even bring our own thoughts into that obedience.

 

[Rising SON]

2 Corinthians 10:5 (AMP)
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
​

This is a good passage of scripture. It is basically saying that when someone tries to plant a thought in you that goes contrary to the knowledge of God, you take it captive and bring it in line to the obedience of Christ.

Thoughts are not magical, but if we are to believe Proverbs 23, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Even the world understands this principle.

To say no one can take their thoughts captive is to diminish the power of God in our lives. We all have the power, Life, and Love of God living and dwelling inside of us. Certainly we can control our thoughts, and if we can't, perhaps we should renew our minds.

Yes,if I may echo what Jimbeaux said.The important thing was that Paul rerlied on the power,not his often mentioned weakness mentioned in 2 Corinthians.Also in 1 Corinthians,he knew the cross was power,not human wisdom. or words.In other wrods..flesh.

And if I may ask you a personal question.Do you get bad thoughts?

 

[probinson]

And if I may ask you a personal question.Do you get bad thoughts?

Sure I do.

The scripture doesn't say we won't have bad thoughts. It tells us what to do with those thoughts.

 

[probinson]

In the OP, it is stated to be "ridiculous" that we can bring captive our own thoughts, but it's just accepted that we can bring captive other people's thoughts?

How does that even make sense? If I can't even bring my own thoughts captive, what kind of presumption must I have to think that I have any ability to bring your thoughts captive?

 

[visionary]

In Christ all things are possible.. with Christ nothing is impossible.. of course we can hold our thoughts captive, in fact we are encouraged to do so.. It is like any other exercise, it takes a lot of work and prayer, and continuous vigilance to run the race. Surrendering the Temple to the Lord to cleanse it, would go a long ways in clearing out a lot of demonic chatter. Filling it with scripture, songs of worship and prayer would also go a long ways of keeping the mind clean.

 

[Svt4Him]

And here wee see he was ready to punish them,not himself.

2 Corinthians 6
And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Hmmm.

 

[Rising SON]

While I will not dispute that the NLT seems to translate the scripture that way, it is far from definitive proof.

Most other translations of that verse do not support this view. Not only that, but it would be darn near impossible (not to mention incredibly hypocritical) for us to try and bring other people's thoughts into the obedience of Christ if we can't even bring our own thoughts into that obedience.

so you agree.Paul meant it as if to say..I will take on your teachings to the smallest point.Of course he knew he could not control their though processes in their minds.Who can do that?

So,yes,Paul was talking about their thoughts,not teaching that we can control every single thought,as per the op,where some use 2 Cor 10:5 to teach that.

 

[Rising SON]

And here wee see he was ready to punish them,not himself.

2 Corinthians 6
And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Hmmm.

That's easy,he was going to punish them,once the rest of the church was straightened out.Read 2 Cor 11:4.Paul said they received a different gospel and spirit real easy,Obviously he had work to do,to get them on track.Both the deceivers,and the deceived.

Still shows.that Paul was going to take on others,not his own thoughts but theirs.

 

[JimB]

While I will not dispute that the NLT seems to translate the scripture that way, it is far from definitive proof.

Most other translations of that verse do not support this view. Not only that, but it would be darn near impossible (not to mention incredibly hypocritical) for us to try and bring other people's thoughts into the obedience of Christ if we can't even bring our own thoughts into that obedience.

Of course they support this view. All translations say the same thing. We have just been (mis)taught to read “my” thoughts into the text (eisegesis) instead of “their” thoughts.

5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. NKJV

5 and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people's thoughts and make them obey Christ. CEV

5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), AMP

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. ESV

5 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
​

And, of course, we don’t bring people’s thoughts into captivity through our own power, but we can through the “the Gospel,” which is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1.16). The Gospel itself has the power to bring (take captive) unregenerate minds into the obedience to Christ.

~Jim

You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.​

 

[Rising SON]

In the OP, it is stated to be "ridiculous" that we can bring captive our own thoughts, but it's just accepted that we can bring captive other people's thoughts?

How does that even make sense? If I can't even bring my own thoughts captive, what kind of presumption must I have to think that I have any ability to bring your thoughts captive?

You may want to read the op again.What I stressed was the point that the thoughts comes as lightninig,and no one can stop that.Yet some use 2 Cor 10:5 to teach that they can be stopped.Sure,it is good to not dwell on things you dont want to,Fine.

 

[Rising SON]

In Christ all things are possible.. with Christ nothing is impossible.. of course we can hold our thoughts captive, in fact we are encouraged to do so.. It is like any other exercise, it takes a lot of work and prayer, and continuous vigilance to run the race. Surrendering the Temple to the Lord to cleanse it, would go a long ways in clearing out a lot of demonic chatter. Filling it with scripture, songs of worship and prayer would also go a long ways of keeping the mind clean.

Sure,it is good to renew our minds,and have our consciouses washed,amen.But we cant actually control getting the thoughts is what I was trying to say.Also.Paul was talking about their thoughts,or one could say their ideas they were pushing on the Corinthian church.Thanks for posting here.