Take EVERY thought CAPTIVE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v-IMSKOtoE&t=21s

Taking your thoughts captive simply means gaining control over what you think about yourself and life. What you put in you mind has an effect on what you think.

You watch a scary movie as a kid you have a nightmare.

You go to sleep thinking about someone or some problem.

A lot of times we dream about the same thing.

We hear a repetitive voice, you can’t, you won’t, you are not good enough.

We begin to think on it. And often times what we think, we become.

2 Corinthians 10:1-6

10 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—² I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.³ For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. (and this is what we have to see, we want to battle in the flesh even though clearly our battle is in the supernatural and that includes our thoughts)⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,⁶ being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Just because a thought is in your head does NOT mean it’s your thought; it does NOT mean you put it there; and it does not mean it’s true.

You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”  --Martin Luther

And here is how we are gonna do it…

1. Pay attention to your inner Monologue

-I’m not good enough.  I’ll never be good enough.

-So and so didn’t want me, no one wants me, I will never be wanted.

-They didn’t talk to me, they don’t like me, no one likes me

-That if I was skinny enough, then I would be worth something.

-For my kids (if only I would weigh more then I would be something)

-That I can’t ask for help.  I should do everything myself.

-That when other people compliment me, they don’t really mean it.

-I’ve ruined my life and forfeited all of God’s plans for me.

-I’m a terrible person.  I will always be terrible.  I’ll show them what terrible is.

-Whatever I just said was dumb, I am dumb, I only say dumb things

What you have formed is what science calls neurological pathways…

Habbits in the way that you think…

Some good, some that you have put there, some that you have allowed there, some by others

Again,

Just because a thought is in your head does NOT mean it’s your thought; it does NOT mean you put it there; and it does not mean it’s true.

Have you ever noticed that when you drive to work or a regular place that you always go the same way even if there are alternate ways you could go? This is because you have created a neural pathway in your brain that has created this routine.  Sometimes we even drive to this destination on “remote control” as such.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjVrPuE2pviAhWJ_p8KHQWLAmwQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sporteds.com%2Fwhat-are-your-thoughts%2F&psig=AOvVaw3qopzzfGRE5753fE7ODayp&ust=1557946745829342(picture of neural pathways)

And that is how our thoughts have become. 

A pattern or way of thinking.

Some would call these habits, but they are still neural pathways. Ever wondered why they say it takes 21 days to break a habit, or wandered why it is hard to break a habit? Well it’s because you have this rut called a neural pathway, that needs to be filled in, and a new neural pathway created for the brain to follow.

Action Step: 

What thoughts are you (or satan) telling yourself on a regular basis? 

Take a few days to listen in. 

Make a list. 

Write them down.  (ALL OF THEM)

So how do you change it?  The science of it but also the spiritual battle of it?

It’s like how water always flows in the same direction that the first lot of water has run, but if that path is blocked then a new path is created. That is step 2.

2. Compare your thoughts to Scripture

After all we as Christians, we believe that Scripture is 100% truth. 

So, if God’s word says one thing and your mind says other things, you’re the one who is wrong—not scripture.  These are not exceptions.  No if’s ands, or buts.  The Scripture does not apply to “everyone but you.”

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you  Philippians 4:8-9

So here are some thoughts, is that thought true, honorable

-That when other people compliment me, they don’t really mean it.

Is that thought commendable or excellent

-I’ve ruined my life and forfeited all of God’s plans for me.

Is that thought just or pure

-I’m a terrible person.  I will always be terrible.  I’ll show them what terrible is.

Is that worthy of praise

-Whatever I just said was dumb, I am dumb, I only say dumb things

Since the things that I have been thinking do not line up with scripture, I have to stop the flow.

Not only do I have to stop the power of those neural pathways.

I must create new ones. New thought patterns.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:1-2

3. Then Take every thought captive

And this is where the battlefield of the mind begins.  Taking thoughts captive.  Speak to that thought and don’t allow it to captivate.  Instead come of with new ways of thinking!!

Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.