The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 19
Take Charge Of Your Mind And Control Your Thoughts!
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
– 2 Corinthians 10:5
Being hospitalized in Barbados no one in my family went to be with me. I was in another country mentally unwell and so scared. Seeing the other patients being visited by their family and friends every day, I felt alone, abandoned and sad. The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced that no one loved me and that no one cared. It really made sense to me. It stands to reason why no one went to Barbados to be with me. The truth is that no one knew what was going on with me because I did not inform them. I did not inform my family because I did not want to be a burden to anyone and I knew that financially, they were not in a position to travel so I did not want to bother them and put any added financial strain on them. Yet, I wished that someone was there with me.
The enemy sets up strongholds of natural reasoning in my mind that uttered all sorts of lies to me and caused me to rationalize everything because I did not take charge of my mind and control my thoughts. Once I started rationalizing everything and made up my mind about something, there was nothing anyone could have said or done to convince me otherwise because my rational thoughts made sense. Those rational thoughts instigated the irrational, unrealistic fears and anxiety that I experienced, as I have mentioned in previous devotions. This is what happened to me as a result of suffering from depression and anxiety.
The main intention of the devil is to gain entry to your mind and fill it with lying emotions and deceitful perceptions in order to confuse you. That’s why Paul admonished you in 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
The word “imaginations” derives from the Greek word logismos, from which comes the word “logic”, referring to “logical thinking”.
The words “bringing into captivity” are taken from the Greek word aichmalotidzo, which depicted a soldier who has captured an enemy and now leads him into captivity with the point of a sharpened spear trust into the flesh in his back. The captured enemy is aware that if he tries to escape, the Roman soldier will shove that spear clear through his torso and kill him. Hence, this captive doesn’t dare move but remain silent, submissive, and non-resistant (Renner, 2003).
It is of paramount important to note that when Paul used the word aichmalotidzo in 2 Corinthians 10:5, the tense in which he writes describes the continuous action of taking such an enemy captive. Therefore, this is not a one-time event but a lifelong occupation of this soldier who constantly leads his enemy to permanent captive with a spear in his hand, always pushing it against the enemy’s flesh.
Friends you are a soldier in the army of the Lord and your mind is the battle field. Thus, the devil will always try to assault your life with lies he wants to sow in your mind. Remember that he is “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Therefore, you must be committed to the continuously pulling down of every rational and irrational thought or strongholds that lead to fear, anxiety and depression, and take every thought captive that tries to usurp your obedience to Christ. Be mindful that if you don’t take your thoughts captive, your thoughts will take you captive as the devil will use his lies to produce mental and emotional strongholds in order to keep you in servitude. Desist from listening to every lie that the devil tries to infiltrate your brain with. Start taking charge of your mind and control your thoughts as you bring them into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Shalom!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father I worship and adore You. To You be honour and glory forever. Thank You for giving me power and authority over all the forces of Satan. I pull down every imagination and high think that exalt themselves against the true knowledge of God, and lead captive every thought to the obedience of Christ. I declare that my mind is free from strongholds of logical, rational reasoning that is contrary to the Word of God and lies of the enemy. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name with thanksgiving. Amen!
January 19, 2021 @ 11:19 am
This devotion was vert enlightening amd encouraging to me. To be honest I have done some terrible things in my teenage life. By age 20 I was steep in sin, by ehich time I may have committed every type of sin.
Jesus saved me when I heard the gospel and repented. Ever since I am being transformed; but the devil from time to time brings those bad things to my mind, though to say you ase not fully forgiven. I constantly have to call the word of God to encourage my heart against the accuser .
Keep up the good work
Pastor Javk
January 19, 2021 @ 1:02 pm
To God be the glory! Thank you for sharing Pastor Jack. Many blessings!
January 19, 2021 @ 11:43 am
Greetings
This devotional really spoke to me today. Last night my thoughts had me. Captured for a while until I began to pray. Every now and then it seeps in and try to capture me.
Thank you for the assurance that there is hope and that we can actually do something about our thoughts. Blessings.
January 19, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
God is indeed an amazing God who knows exactly the word we need when we need it and He always has a message and a messenger. I’m humbled and honoured to be His mouthpiece. I’m glad you are blessed today. Thank you my dear for sharing! Love you loads! Blessings!