Taking Captive Every Thought

and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5b NIV

I am easily distracted. And it seems that the older I get, the more easily I get distracted. That is not always a bad thing. But there are times when I find it very frustrating.

This is especially true when praying or meditating on the Word. It seems like my mind is constantly bouncing from one thought to another. And if it does settle down, all too frequently, it is on some trivial thought that refuses to go away. Generally not a bad thought. Just one that is irrelevant.

So I find this word from Paul to be particularly relevant to me today. Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Something I am not as good at as I would like to be.

But that is a big challenge. How do I take my thoughts captive? How can I bring them under control? It seems like something I can and should do.

The previous verses give some clues as to how this might be done. Paul, using military terms, talks about the weapons we have at our disposal. They are not the weapons of this world. But they have the power to demolish strongholds. Including the stronghold of stray thoughts.

Bringing my mind under control is not something I can do on my own. But I have One who is interested in my success, and He will come alongside me to help me in that spiritual battle.

But it will also require discipline on my part. To keep bringing my thoughts back to where they should be. Taking every thought captive. Rather than being held captive by my stray thoughts.