Did you know that the average person has about 6,000 thoughts a day? Although the science and the particulars vary by study, regardless, that is a lot of thinking! Experience tells me that some thoughts are glancing and brief while others are deep and involved. The Bible has much to teach us about the power of our minds.
One commentator said it this way: “Our lives are generally moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts.” If you are anything like me, there are seasons where the things you think become the things you do and so we better carefully and prayerfully consider the way in which we think. Just before I share the heart behind this devotion, I want to remind you that the war is on for your mind and your thoughts. The things you read, the music you listen to, the TV shows and media you consume, all end up impacting, informing, and effecting your life.
Paul writes this: For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV). First, we learn that our thought life can be a battlefield. In this battle, often there are three enemies that influence the way or the content of what we think: Satan, our flesh, and the world. Because of the serious enemy and the life altering impact of the battle, we are reminded of some critical truths to meditate on.
First, we are not victims or powerless in the battle for our mind. We are equipped by our gracious God with powerful weapons that give us the power to live in victory and strength. These weapons include the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Concerning the Word of God, we are reminded of its power and authority (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Hebrews 4:12). Concerning the Spirit of God we are reminded of His help, comfort, and wisdom. (see verses like John 14:16 and John 15:26) Because of the weapons God grants us and His empowerment in those weapons, we have the power to not just expose lies but to destroy them and conform them to the truth of God.
Practically, we do this by “taking every thought captive to obey Christ.” Although I can’t control the thoughts that come into my mind (more on this in a moment), I can control what I do with them, which ones I dwell on, and which ones I let remain in my mind and thought life. Here are a few thought tests that may be helpful when a thought enters into your mind:
- Is this thought true? If not, I expose the lie with God’s Word and replace it with God’s truth (Philippians 4:8)
- Is it loving and Christ honoring? If not, I remind myself that as a Christ follower everything is to be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:18)
- Is it necessary?
- Is it helpful or edifying?
If at any point the answer is no as I dwell on a thought, I should immediately take that thought captive, expose it, and expel it. Remember a moment ago when I said you can’t necessarily control your thoughts? You can influence them. So often in seasons where my thoughts are full of unholy or unwholesome things (I know, me too…), I can look back on things like TV, music, social media, people, or other influences that were filling my mind with garbage, not Christ. If you are like me, the first step to changing the way you are thinking may certainly be changing the things you are allowing into your mind.
Lastly, I find that Philippians 4:8 should both influence the things I allow myself to be willingly exposed to and should a litmus test of my thoughts. God’s heart is revealed this way: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV). This isn’t just good advice on living a victorious life in Christ. This is the will of God for the lives of each follower of Jesus. Both the content you consume and the content of your thoughts should be tested this way. It might look like this, is this content or thought:
- True?
- Honorable?
- Just?
- Pure?
- Lovely?
- Commendable?
- Excellent?
- Worthy of praise?
At any point if the answer is no, I should eliminate that influence and/or take that thought captive, bring the truth of God’s Word into my mind, and make war against what some have rightly termed “stinkin thinkin.” Just a few practical tips and encouragements as you begin this Biblical practice of thought warfare: First, you can’t do this without the help of God’s Spirit and God’s Word. Next, unlearning wrong thought patterns and eliminating wrong influences can be a real battle, prayerfully and humbly seek God’s help. Lastly, exposing lies and sinful thinking isn’t enough, replacing those lies with the truth of God’s Word is essential.
To really grow in this (I don’t know that you will ever master it), you will need to regularly, intentionally, and consistently spend time with Jesus (see John 14:15) and you will need to regularly read, meditate on, believe, and respond in faith to the Word of God (see Psalm 119:105). Remember, you aren’t alone as you start this journey towards Christ honoring thinking. It is worth learning how to practice the Biblical, spiritual discipline of taking thoughts captive and making the obedient to Christ, and once you start out on this journey, your life (and your thought life) will never be the same.
