2 Corinthians 10:1-6 – “Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ — I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”  NASB

The writings of the apostle Paul are always powerful and have an immediate impact on life and living for the believer.  He identifies a much-needed lifestyle in this particular passage that will enable us to be “more than conquerors through Christ.”

1. We live (walk) in the flesh – – We are humans nothing else we can do.
2. We do not war according to the flesh – – We don’t fight with our fists, swords, or guns but we have different weapons (as believers) to use in our warfare.
3. Our weapons are not flesh weapons but spiritual weapons able to destroy the “strongholds” of the devil.
4. With those weapons, we destroy every argument, senseless speculations, non-essential arguments, demonic attacks, and everything that attempts to exalt itself above Christ.
5. We take Every Thought Captive to the obedience of Christ.

The last one is of particular importance.  I’ve told people for years; you cannot stop thoughts from coming but you can stop them from finding a lodging place in your mind.  You do not have to let them stay.  You do not have to entertain them.  You do not have to dwell on them. You can dismiss them and cause your mind to come into submission to the Lordship of Christ and under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

It’s not mind over matter or mind control, it is simply making a conscious decision to think on things above and not beneath.  It is a conscious decision to seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.  It is a conscious decision to praise Him rather than dwell on negative, destructive, or tempting thoughts.  You are not what you think you are but you are what you think!  It is up to us to make the decision to allow the Holy Spirit to set a guard at not only our lips but our minds to keep our thoughts pure and our words gracious. 

If we do this, we will find that we live less troubled by what is happening around us.  We live with less doubt when faced with potential problems or disasters and need God to step on the scene in a major way.  We live with a greater sense of peace because we are focused on that which is above, for God is not the author of confusion.  Therefore, let the peace of God rule your hearts as you bring every thought captive to Christ. 

May this day be a day of “perfect peace” as you walk in Him.  Blessings as you come to the end of your week in His service.