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10.20.08 Pastor's Insights

Take every thought captive

We all have negative thoughts. They can pop into our heads at any time. We might have a feeling of jealousy toward a friend or a thought of self-depreciation.

Maybe it’s a thought about how a neighbor pays more attention to you than your spouse. It could be an idea to save some money in an illegitimate manner.  Perhaps, it’s an impression that you aren’t worthy of God’s forgiveness. Or, it might be a simple, “I should punch that idiot in the nose.” Negative thoughts will pop into our heads whether we want them to or not.

Fortunately, we don’t have to feel guilty or upset about it. It occurs because we are humans. In fact, we shouldn’t feel bad about it. It will happen no matter how spiritually mature or committed to God we are.

The deal is that when we have one of these thoughts, we have to make a choice. We can entertain the thought or we can cast it aside. We can give it consideration or shut it down. When we start entertaining these thoughts, that’s when problems begin. Things intensify and then we want to we act on them.

On the other hand, when we let go of the thought, we are choosing to trust God. 2 Cor 10:5 says, “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.” (NIV) So when a thought that is contrary to God’s ways shows up in our head, we have to kick it out and keep our focus on God.  God encourages us to do this because it will save us so much grief. He only wants good things for us.

Start practicing this today and don’t worry when you mess up. Just thank God for His forgiveness and get back to it!

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