How do you take every thought captive to God? What does that mean?

Question

Christians only. No God or bible bashing either. So every thought you have whether unintentional or intentional you say "here you go God here's my thought take it away" or what?

Answer 1

I can tell you exactly what it means. My mind is just horrid. Sometimes I have the meanest, sickest, thoughts. Sometimes they are wicked or perverted. It's embarrassing to me. When a thought like that comes into my head, I immediately take it before the Lord. "Jesus, please purify my mind, heart and mouth". "Jesus, please forgive me this wicked/cruel/unkind thought and change my heart to be more like you".

Don't be embarrassed to "capture" those thoughts and immediately bring them before the Lord. He knows they are there in the first place; He is the one that can cleanse you and restore you and purify you. I, honestly, have to do it often.

Answer 2

That question shows me that you are really studying and seeking real answers. The mind is a highway open to all spiritual traffic. Here is a prayer I try to say first thing in the morning: Heavenly Father, I know you have given me the gift of choice. However, please guide my steps, my thoughts, my actions, my mind, my tongue and the loaned body vehicle. Let it be a temple of righteousness for you, whereby my thoughts and actions will bring honour and glory to you. Traveling with your spiritual insurance policy and your spiritual mechanic makes traveling much easier.
This is a true story: A mechanic was stealing airplane fuel for a race car club from the side of the aircrafts that were shielded from the security lights. One pilot noticed that the left side of the aircraft felt light and turned back to base only to find out that the same aircraft that he watched get filled the day before was low on fuel in the tanks on the left side of the aircraft. The other pilot knew that he had the aircraft filled up the night before didn't think of that since he saw no evidence of fuel leak. That pilot ditched in the ocean. Unfortunately, the rescue boat did not get there in time.
As soon as you recognize the thoughts that are ungodly--do not wait until you have to ditch---turn back and switch off immediately.

Boaz.

Answer 3

A thought is a precursor of a word or a deed. We can stop the word or deed from ever manifesting if we stop the thought in its tracks.

We do this by denying it immediately, and consciously thinking about something else. It is best to think of the things of God, but just an ordinary thought will do, like what we're going to get at the store.

For instance, when two or things happen to me at the first of the day, I think "Well, there goes the day." When I think this I firmly tell myself (aloud), "Not true!" And things go right after this.

This is good Christianity, and good psychology too.

Answer 4

Every thought you have must line up with what God has already written in HIs Word (the Bible.) If it is contrary to what the Bible teaches then it must not be from God. You must completely dismiss that thought. The scripture in II Cor. 10 says to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." Jesus didn't allow any thought into His mind that disagreed with the scripture.

Answer 5

No, I don't think it works that way. What I believe 2 Corithians is saying is that when the enemy comes at us and tells us a thought that is not centered on God's word, we as a born again believer have the authority to reject it in Jesus' name. We do not have to accept every lie, and every thought that comes to us, especially when it comes from Satan. How do we know it's from him, well anything that counteract and opposes God's word, is a lie from the enemy. We simply reject it, start speaking the truth of God's word over the situation, and even praising God. That is why as a Christian we must be armed with the word of God, and be able to use it when Satan comes at us with those fiery darts. Jesus did it when he was tempted, he simply told Satan, "It is written" and that's all we have to do. If we submit to God, resist the devil he will flee.

Answer 6

It means identifying whether a thought is glorifying to God (good) or not (evil) and casting aside thoughts that are not glorifying to God.

Note, that does not mean, "this thought is not about worshipping God, I must cast it away." No. Everything God created was created with the intention of purpose, when used for that purpose, that is to his glory.

So when a thought is not in alignment with the purposes God intended, that thought is not glorifying to God. But when a thought fits the purposes God intended, then that is glorifying to God.

You take your own thoughts captive, to the glory of God.

Answer 7

he's no longer classless and undesirable. He, like very just about each and every person else in the league, celebrates after doing something. They do it to convey interest to themselves. The NFL is a "look at me" league, they're all interest whores and the greater exposure a participant gets in lots of situations ability greater funds for that participant. My widespread is once I guy dances after scoring a TD and his team continues to be down by using 3 TDs. If it bothers some human beings, so be it. that's not hurting every physique however the guy doing it, making him look like a fool. So I say, enable him and all people else who desires to have a good time making a play do in spite of they decide for as long as that's not hurting his team (i.e. party penalty) or exhibiting up yet another participant or team. I even have a heat spot in my coronary heart for DeSean with the aid of fact he stored my delusion soccer *** this weekend. ;-)

Answer 8

I think this is also next to a verse talking about renewing our minds. I think this means that when you're confronted with a thought, you examine it and go to God asking "How does this fit with you? How do you make sense of this?" Then God will, in time, show you how it works in with Him or how the thought has twisted or corrupted the truth, so that you can understand it for what it really is. Also, the world wears on you, and can influence your thoughts and opinions about things. By renewing your mind, you're essentially asking God to replace your mind with His, so that you see and understand things more in line with God's thinking rather than the world's thinking.

Answer 9

I means that everything you do is done with the knowledge that your creator will be the purpose that guides you in all. It's not a matter of asking your god to take your thought or guide your activities. You just accept that the Creator will and go forth with neither doubt nor fear, not thinking of being guided or having to ask. You, in effect, live the Way because you are in the Way.

Answer 10

I am responsible for my thoughts. In many ways they go astray. ...like little lost sheep....I'm just now starting to understand and practice this. I'm not perfect and I'm not always right. I think it is linked with the verse "pray without ceasing." I talk to God by sharing my thoughts with Him. Of course if they are bad in the sense of not pure, I cast them out in the name of Jesus. And I ask for help. An example, I just got realy stressed over money, my checking account, bill paying etc. I sat there on the couch and talked to God and asked Him what to do. Now I've released it to Him and I can go on to the next thing. He is my friend, my best friend. I see myself as an uncivilized, unsocialized, undisciplined brat. I see my relationship with God as a way of getting rid of all the I don't want to's, the I can'ts, the grumpiness, the I hate.. whatever and to become civilized, socialized, and disciplined or in other words sane. I don't just give the thoughts to Him, I want Him to give me the "mind of Christ" about all of it. I want to be" a new creature." I "want to please Him."I am not a hater or a basher I'm just sharing my experience, strength, and hope as they say in support groups. Lots of love.
Cathy out.

Answer 11

I believe the verse you are referencing is concerning how we should conduct our thoughts so that they will be captive to God.
We do so as the Bible tells us by thinking on whatsoever is good,lovely, kind, good and of good report. We are to not dwell on the negative and impossibility of a situation because all things are possible with God (something that I fail to remember at times). We are to keep our minds on God's works and on good things.