3 Steps to a Renewed MindSample

Taken Captive

Barry Gordon is a neurology and cognitive science professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He stated, “We are aware of a tiny fraction of the thinking that goes on in our minds, and we can control only a tiny part of our conscious thoughts.”

According to science, we have little control over our conscious thoughts….but God.

Many of us get intrusive thoughts, which can be disturbing and distressing. Many of us think of bad things happening, someone dying, or freak accidents occurring. These thoughts can start to affect your life and how you function daily. You can be stricken with fear and have no desire to leave the house because you always think bad things will happen.

Where do the remaining thoughts go if we can only control a tiny part of them? I can tell you where they can go; They can be taken captive. Taking intrusive or negative thoughts captive is how you tear down mental 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” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV

In this text, captivity means “to lead away captive.” I imagine arresting that intrusive thought and leading it away like a prisoner. That thought has broken the law and trespassed on the property of your mind. Just like a prisoner led to jail, you must take that thought and lead it away to its judge for persecution: Jesus Christ.

The word obedience means compliance or submission. Your thought is now a prisoner; it must comply and submit itself to the authority of Christ. What does this look like? You accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior when you got saved. Accepting Him as your Lord means submitting yourself to His Lordship and sovereignty. You are bowing to His authority and allowing Him to rule your life.

It is a similar case with our thoughts. Once those thoughts are submitted to Christ, they must obey His sovereignty and authority. They must bow down and shrink themselves to the higher power of Christ Jesus. Our Lord takes those thoughts away and gives you what is honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.

So, whenever intrusive thoughts enter your mind, bring them into the obedience of Christ by saying this prayer.

“Lord, please take these thoughts captive and bring them into your obedience. These thoughts are not of you or from you. They are trespassing, and they must obey you. Give me peace of mind by reminding me of what is true, honorable, right, and pure. In Jesus’ name. Amen.