2 Corinthians 10:5 – Taking Captive Every Thought

Just like soldiers in an army, we as believers have weapons and tools we can use to be victorious in this life. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says “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)

We utilize these weapons spiritually, not in the physical realm. To do this, we “take captive” our thoughts by comparing them to how Christ thinks. In doing so, the spiritual forces of evil are rendered powerless.

This power we have is not reserved just for times of extreme “spiritual warfare.” It is also meant to be used during normal life. For example, something as simple as being discouraged about not succeeding at a task you are working on is a perfect opportunity to apply the power of God to your situation.

One way to combat that discouragement would be to find out what the Word of God says about your situation. Find passages that talk about success (e.g. Deut. 28:8, Deut. 2:7), and mediate them. Let the Lord speak to your heart, until you adopt his way of thinking.

Another example is dealing with sickness. Health is a popular topic these days, and the Bible has a lot to say about it, too. If you’re dealing with a health problem, or if you just want to stay healthy, find passages from the Bible that talk about health. Quote them, mediate on them, and make them a part of your belief structure. This simple process is one way to do what 2 Corinthians 10:5 describes as “taking captive everything thought.”

So, the next time you feel down, or notice that you’re not quite on track with God’s will, use your God-given authority to take captive each of your thoughts, and conform your mind to Christ’s. You will be delighted with the positive results!