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August 28, 2024
- By Ed Powell
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"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5
How frail, weak, and easily influenced our minds are. We can be persuaded to yield to our fallen nature, subtly attracted to fleshly desires, or to things that appeal to our ego or self-gratification. Paul says, Don't be carried away by your imagination, don't let your carnal nature run its course, which seeks to exalt, satisfy, and crave those things that will satisfy SELF. Cast down imaginations, turn from the alluring attractions that have but shallow, superficial, earthly values, and no eternal concern. They are deceiving, disarming, and only detrimental to your spiritual journey.
Paul admonishes the Christians at Philippi..."Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS!"
WHY? Because the malicious thoughts planted by Satan, exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. They lead us away from that which God wants to do in our life. They are deceptive. If we entertain these thoughts, we open the door, if only a little, to the infiltration of Satan. Soon the ever-so-small opening becomes the means that leads to our despair, discouragement, and defeat.
You might say, "Well, I can handle my thoughts. I am the master of my ship, no one is going to control my thinking." Paul says, "Wherefore, let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). The basic attack of Satan is to make us think We can handle whatever we encounter in OUR strength. We must realize, we are up against a foe that is greater, wiser, stronger, and more determined than we are, and his chief end is our defeat and destruction!
We must engage our destructive thoughts, imagination, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and CAST THEM DOWN, turn from them, and control our actions by "bringing into captivity [our authoritative control] every thought to the obedience of Christ." That's the positive action we need to take. It's one thing to shun the evil, but another to stand firmly and steadfastly against it. To be "more than a conqueror" is to use the very weapons that were arrayed against you for your own benefit!
How discerning we need to be in this liberal free-thinking world where man thinks, "If it feels good, just do it." Man puts SELF on the throne where Christ is destined to reign. We are lulled to sleep so often, not realizing that our heart is "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). From the evil promptings of our heart are thoughts that seek to control our attitude and our attitude controls our actions.
Paul challenges every believer to "make captive these thoughts"...bring them under control by the power of the Holy Spirit. Think on those things that are up-lifting. productive, stimulating, positive, encouraging, and glorifying to God. Seek to have "the mind of Christ" in all of our thoughts, so we will walk in obedience to Him.
May this be the desire of our heart...the focus of our life...the object of our spiritual journey...yielded to HIS control so HE may lead us in the "paths of righteousness for HIS name's sake."
"I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies" (Psalm 119:59).
© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.
This page was reprinted by permission from: http://litmin.org/dare.php?date=2024-08-28&print=1
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