"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5
A few weeks ago, I ran into an old friend I hadn't seen in quite a while. "Wow", I said to her, "you sure have lost a lot of weight. How did you do it?" She shared how running and clean eating had helped her shed the unwanted pounds but admitted that she had recently gained some back and was struggling daily with bad choices. Most of us can relate to this in our battle to stay fit and healthy and know that one bad decision can lead us off course. The same is true in our spiritual lives. James 1:14-15 says, "Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death."
It starts with temptation and, if we aren't careful, ends in us giving in to the temptation. For some it may be food and for others it might be lustful thoughts or bad habits. Whatever it is, it starts the same... with a thought. The bible tells us to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." By doing this, we break the chain of events. Temptation can't "entice us and drag us away" if we don't let the thought of it "give birth to sinful actions."
When those tempting thoughts invade our minds, Philippians 4:8 tells us exactly what to do, to fix our, "thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." In other words, when temptation comes, fix your eyes on God.
Heavenly Father, thank you for helping us to think of those things that are pure and lovely when our thoughts are not . When temptation comes our way, may we immediately take those thoughts captive before they can give way to action. Guard our hearts and our minds Lord that we might keep our eyes fixed on You knowing that praise worthy thoughts lead to praise worthy actions. May we then praise you in all we say and do. We ask these things in your precious name, Jesus. Amen.
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