The Application of the Truth of God to the Hurting Soul: Part 4

Taking our thoughts captive
Paul writes to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 and says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Several things come to bear on the application of the truth of God here. First, it is a battle. Paul uses warfare imagery as he talks about appropriating the truth of God in the midst of a spiritual war. Secondly, and most importantly, he says to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” This deals with being in control of what we are thinking and talking to ourselves rather than simply passively listening to ourselves.
Imagine the person who does not “take every thought captive” as in the example of the person with depression given above. They are like a person who is on an out of control horse where the reins have been thrown over the horse’s head and the rider is simply hanging on for dear life with no control over the horse whatsoever. The horse simply goes wherever it wishes. This person’s mind is taking them on a ride that is scary, out of control, and is not pleasurable in the least. The antidote and remedy for this is to “take every thought captive.”
To do this one has to constantly be aware of what we are thinking all of the time. A thought cannot be taken into captivity if we are oblivious to what we are thinking. In keeping with Paul’s warfare analogy, we need to be on guard for what is happening with our thoughts in much the same way that a sentry would guard against the enemy: ever vigilant and mindful of an attack or anything that seems like a foreign invader.