The Application of the Truth of God to the Hurting Soul: Part 6

Putting on the new
Taking thoughts captive is only half the battle. In reality, it is not enough to simply abolish the thoughts that do not conform to the criteria of Philippians 4:8. We must replace these thoughts with truth from God’s Word. Paul’s admonition is not simply to do away with wrong thinking, but to “think about” those things that do conform to the truths of God’s Word. Not replacing the wrong thoughts simply leaves a vacuum that will soon be occupied with more erroneous thinking if something true does not take its place. This is where we really begin to preach truth to ourselves in an active way.
Ephesians 4:20-24 says, “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” The Bible uses terminology such as “put off” and “put on” to describe the things of our former way of life that we lay aside and “put off” while we “put on” and adopt new ways of thinking and living in Christ. In the above passage, Paul says that as Christians we are to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind” as we put on the new man that has been recreated in Christ. Similarly, Colossians 3:8-10 also tells us to “put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge.” It is clear to see that the Christian not only needs a new way of living, but also a new way of thinking.
Here is how this applies: as we take thoughts captive we “put off” those that do not conform to the Philippians 4:8 criteria and we “put on” those that do and we meditate upon them. Obviously, the thoughts that meet those criteria come from the truth of God’s Word. To pick up our depression example again, as the depressed person thought, “This is going to be another terrible day” that thought should be taken captive and replaced with something like, “It may indeed be a bad day today, but God’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) and no matter what happens to me today God is going to use it for my good in making me more like Christ (Romans 8:28-29).” To use another example, the thought “God has abandoned me and is nowhere to be found” is to be “put off” and replaced with truth such as “God may not feel near to me at this moment, but He will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5) and even though He may feel distant the truth is that He is an ever present help in my time of need (Psalm 46:1).” When we do this we are injecting our mind and heart with biblical, life-giving truth. This allows us to preach to ourselves in an active way rather than us passively “listening” to our uncontrolled thoughts and emotions. It also allows us to anchor our lives to truth rather than feelings. I may feel such-and-such a way, but I need to be reminded that my feelings often betray the truth of what God has said about Himself, me, and my circumstances.
None of this denies the real hurt and heartbreak of life. It does, however, push us to the truth of God and His Word and His promises. It allows us to turn the focus away from our situation and our self and place our gaze upon God.