Listen To Most Current
Grace Notes Archive
September 2023 (3)
August 2023 (4)
July 2023 (5)
June 2023 (4)
May 2023 (4)
April 2023 (5)
March 2023 (5)
February 2023 (4)
January 2023 (4)
December 2022 (5)
November 2022 (4)
October 2022 (5)
September 2022 (6)
August 2022 (4)
July 2022 (5)
June 2022 (4)
May 2022 (4)
April 2022 (7)
March 2022 (4)
February 2022 (4)
January 2022 (5)
December 2021 (5)
November 2021 (4)
October 2021 (5)
September 2021 (4)
August 2021 (4)
July 2021 (6)
June 2021 (4)
May 2021 (5)
April 2021 (4)
March 2021 (5)
February 2021 (4)
January 2021 (5)
December 2020 (4)
November 2020 (4)
October 2020 (5)
September 2020 (4)
August 2020 (5)
July 2020 (21)
June 2020 (29)
May 2020 (28)
April 2020 (31)
March 2020 (5)
February 2020 (4)
January 2020 (5)
December 2019 (5)
November 2019 (3)
October 2019 (5)
September 2019 (4)
August 2019 (5)
July 2019 (4)
June 2019 (5)
May 2019 (4)
April 2019 (4)
March 2019 (4)
February 2019 (6)
January 2019 (4)
December 2018 (4)
November 2018 (5)
October 2018 (4)
September 2018 (4)
August 2018 (4)
July 2018 (3)
June 2018 (4)
May 2018 (4)
April 2018 (4)
March 2018 (4)
February 2018 (5)
January 2018 (4)
December 2017 (4)
November 2017 (5)
October 2017 (4)
September 2017 (5)
August 2017 (4)
July 2017 (4)
June 2017 (5)
May 2017 (4)
April 2017 (5)
March 2017 (3)
February 2017 (4)
January 2017 (3)
December 2016 (5)
November 2016 (4)
October 2016 (4)
September 2016 (5)
August 2016 (3)
July 2016 (4)
June 2016 (5)
May 2016 (4)
April 2016 (5)
March 2016 (4)
February 2016 (4)
January 2016 (5)
December 2015 (4)
November 2015 (4)
October 2015 (3)
September 2015 (4)
August 2015 (5)
July 2015 (5)
June 2015 (4)
May 2015 (5)
April 2015 (2)
March 2015 (4)
February 2015 (4)
January 2015 (5)
December 2014 (4)
November 2014 (5)
October 2014 (4)
September 2014 (4)
August 2014 (4)
July 2014 (5)
June 2014 (4)
May 2014 (5)
April 2014 (4)
March 2014 (4)
February 2014 (4)
January 2014 (5)
December 2013 (4)
November 2013 (5)
October 2013 (4)
September 2013 (4)
August 2013 (5)
July 2013 (4)
June 2013 (3)
May 2013 (5)
April 2013 (4)
March 2013 (4)
February 2013 (5)
January 2013 (4)
December 2012 (4)
November 2012 (5)
October 2012 (4)
September 2012 (4)
August 2012 (5)
July 2012 (4)
June 2012 (4)
May 2012 (5)
April 2012 (4)
March 2012 (5)
February 2012 (4)
January 2012 (4)
December 2011 (5)
November 2011 (4)
October 2011 (4)
September 2011 (5)
August 2011 (4)
July 2011 (4)
June 2011 (5)
May 2011 (4)
April 2011 (5)
March 2011 (4)
February 2011 (4)
January 2011 (5)
December 2010 (4)
November 2010 (4)
October 2010 (4)
September 2010 (5)
August 2010 (4)
July 2010 (6)
June 2010 (4)
May 2010 (4)
April 2010 (4)
March 2010 (5)
February 2010 (4)
January 2010 (5)
December 2009 (5)
November 2009 (3)
October 2009 (6)
September 2009 (3)
August 2009 (5)
July 2009 (4)
June 2009 (4)
May 2009 (5)
April 2009 (4)
March 2009 (4)
February 2009 (4)
January 2009 (5)
December 2008 (4)
November 2008 (5)
October 2008 (4)
September 2008 (5)
August 2008 (4)
July 2008 (3)
June 2008 (4)
May 2008 (5)
April 2008 (4)
March 2008 (5)
February 2008 (1)
Grace Notes

Current Articles | Categories | Search | Syndication

ARE YOU FIGHTING THIS BATTLE?
by Philip Owen

          Paul makes an absolutely arresting comment for any sober-minded reader when he writes to the church at Corinth that “we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). Given the context, we must acknowledge that Paul’s comments have to do with fighting against false teachers and the worldly philosophies that had penetrated the Corinthian congregation. But it is not a stretch to suggest that the battle for the believer’s mind and thoughts is a multi-front battle, with attacks coming from numerous sources and every direction. And although Paul has focused on the external human deceivers that were corrupting the thoughts of the Corinthians, it is equally true that believers must guard against all thoughts that are contrary to the Word of God, perhaps particularly those that issue from our own minds. Solomon explains the significance of this warfare: “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Pro. 23:7).

            Just a brief sampling of what the New Testament says about our thoughts underscores the importance of this battle. For example, Paul warned the Romans: “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3). In the same epistle, he expresses how powerful thoughts can be: “I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean” (14:14). Paul again exhorted the Corinthians regarding their thought processes: “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature” (1 Cor. 14:20). James warns against being deceived by erroneous thinking: “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (1:26). We could easily compound the list if we added examples of what the New Testament has to say about the mind (and heart, which is often used synonymously with the mind). But one additional example from this category should suffice: “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2).

            What a challenge we have been tasked to complete. Before we were saved, it was impossible for us to think a right thought. We walked in the futility of our own minds and lived with a sin-darkened understanding (see Eph. 4:17, 18). Now as believers, “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16), but since we still retain the flesh, we do not necessarily—and certainly not automatically—think the right thoughts. How quickly we can think an angry thought, a hateful thought, a jealous thought. How quickly lustful thoughts or proud and self-righteous thoughts crop up. And what about unthankful, doubting, and fearful thoughts? Then there are those fantasies and worthless daydreams that are unprofitable. Or natural plans and carnal schemes. The list of types of thoughts is finite, but the manifestation of those thoughts seems almost infinite. A recent study suggested that human beings have more than 6,000 thoughts a day. Another suggests that we have 70,000 thoughts per day. Perhaps the disparity lies in the fact that the smaller number may refer to conscious thoughts, the latter unconscious. Admittedly, 6,000 seems low. But even at that rate, the task of controlling them is daunting.

            That having been said, it is clear that our privilege and responsibility as believers is to harness our thoughts. Paul commands: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). Only as we saturate ourselves with the Word of God, yield ourselves to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and truly love and desire to honor our Lord and Savior will we begin to be successful in this battle. But successful we can be. Have you taken this duty seriously? Have you even considered it? Until we engage this battle, we will find ourselves defeated at every turn, sinning, and dishonoring our wonderful Lord. May it not be so.

Actions: E-mail | Permalink

Previous Page | Next Page