In our life, where the rubber meets the road, what would it look like to “capture a thought” or as the scripture says, “bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”? How do we capture a thought?
2 Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
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;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
bringing into captivity is #163 aichmalotizo (aheekh-mal-o-tid'-zo); from 164; to make captive:
The root is #164 aichmalotos (aheekh-mal-o-tos'); from aichme (a spear) and a derivative of the same as 259; properly, a prisoner of war, i.e. (genitive case) a captive:
When the Chief of Police tells his force to bring a certain criminal into captivity, there are proven techniques and tools that are effective and will be used in the process. If anyone has viewed any Detective shows on TV, then the tools and methods are already familiar. Many people have spent a lot of man-hours in front of a TV and may have learned many of the procedures used in bringing a criminal into captivity through these programs. They are very entertaining!
In contrast, many people may have spent a lot of man-hours in a church pew but may have never been taught the procedural process to be used in bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Many have quoted this verse and leave out “the obedience of”. Their version is “and bringing into captivity every thought to Christ;” That indicates lack of understanding of this scripture and the whole process described here by Paul.
Before we use some every day life, “where the rubber meets the road” issues, let’s first define some of the terms used in this passage of scripture. This is boring reading but is necessary to fully understand the “shop manual” procedure of bringing a thought into captivity.
weapons is #3696 hoplon (hop'-lon) an implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially offensive for war):
warfare is #4752 strateia (strat-i'-ah); from 4754; military service, i.e. (figuratively) the apostolic career (as one of hardship and danger)
4754 strateuomai (strat-yoo'-om-ahee); to serve in a military campaign; figuratively, to execute the apostolate (with its arduous duties and functions), to contend with carnal inclinations:
pulling down is #2506 kathairesis (kath-ah'-ee-res-is); demolition; figuratively, extinction:
of strong holds is #3794 ochuroma (okh-oo'-ro-mah); (meaning to fortify, through the idea of holding safely); a castle (figuratively, argument):
casting down is #2507 kathaireo (kath-ahee-reh'-o); to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively):
imaginations is #3053 logismos (log-is-mos'); computation, i.e. (figuratively) reasoning (conscience, conceit):
high thing is #5313 hupsoma (hoop'-so-mah); an elevated place or thing, i.e. (abstractly) altitude, or (by implication) a barrier (figuratively):
exalteth itself is #1869 epairo (ep-ahee'-ro); to raise up (literally or figuratively):
bringing into captivity is #163 aichmalotizo (aheekh-mal-o-tid'-zo); from 164; to make captive:
#164 aichmalotos (aheekh-mal-o-tos') a prisoner of war, i.e. (genitive case) a captive:
thought is #3540 noema (no'-ay-mah);from 3539; a perception, i.e. purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself:
#3539 noeo (no-eh'-o); to exercise the mind (observe), i.e. (figuratively) to comprehend, heed:
obedience is #5218 hupakoe (hoop-ak-o-ay'); attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission:
a readiness is #2092 hetoimos (het-oy'-mos); adjusted, i.e. ready:
to revenge is #1556 ekdikeo (ek-dik-eh'-o); from 1558; to vindicate, retaliate, punish:
#1558 ekdikos (ek'-dik-os); carrying justice out, i.e. a punisher:
disobedience is #3876 parakoe (par-ak-o-ay'); from 3878; inattention, i.e. (by implication) disobedience:
#3878 parakouo (par-ak-oo'-o); to mishear, i.e. (by implication) to disobey:
your is #5216 humon (hoo-mone'); genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:
#5210 humeis (hoo-mice'); you (as subjective of verb):
obedience is #5218 hupakoe (hoop-ak-o-ay'); attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission:
is fulfilled is #4137 pleroo (play-ro'-o); to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:
When we read these definitions and use them correctly then the process will become more easily understood and also then it will be easier for the process to become part of our every day life.
When we observe the method of restoration of the earth in Genesis chapter one, we see that God operates by “spoken Word”. Some eleven times it is stated “God said”! God created and regenerated things with His spoken Word.
Once we see Adam created in the image and likeness of God, and then we see Adam operating in the same manner as God. We see the scripture state “Adam said”!
Just as the Lord God operates by spoken Word so we as mankind, who are created in the image and likeness of God are designed to operate by our spoken word. This is the reason it is so important as to what we allow ourselves to say. Jesus said that faith and words are partners in seeing things take place.
Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
ye might say is #3004 lego (leg'-o); a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse;
it should obey you is #5219 hupakouo (hoop-ak-oo'-o); to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority:
When we operate in faith, “spoken words” are involved and necessary. When we operate in faith, we will say or speak forth a systematic discourse in reference to that which we desire to see take place. Notice that is how Paul operates in Acts.
Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
Notice that Paul perceived that the man had faith to be healed. However the man only received healing after Paul laid forth a systemic discourse of what to do; Stand upright on thy feet.
The man heard attentively to the command of authority and mixed the command with his own personal faith and his body reacted in accordance to the command. The result was the man sprung upward from the ground and walked on feet that had never walked before.
As with all the simplicity in Christ, this is not a complicated process. Understanding the heart of man is important in this process. Our heart is designed to produce what we say. Believing takes place in our heart. We hear our self more with our inner man than with our outward ears. That is why we sound louder to ourselves if we put our fingers in our ears. Jesus said that we could have what we say! However there is a principal involved. See if the principal stands out when reading this passage.
Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
The principal is, that we must believe that whatever words we speak out of our mouth are truth. Not just the words we desire to come to pass at the time we are praying something. The Devil has successfully brought irresponsible talking into our culture just so we will deceive our own heart. Most people speak words out of their mouth, which they do not believe will come to pass such as; that tickled me to death. I will just die if I don’t get to go there. Their bar-b-que is to die for. I laughed all the way to the bank. I would give my left arm for that. Etc.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain (profitless).
When we speak words, which we do not believe will come to pass, our heart gets trained to not produce what we say. The problem with that is when we need to speak “faith words” over a situation then our words just fall to the ground profitless. When we deceive our own heart, our faith production in the kingdom of heaven will be compromised. This has been a bit of a side trail but very important.
Jesus said that the method by which we take any thought is to say it with our words out of our mouth.
Matt 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
saying is #3004 lego (leg'-o); to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words) usually of systematic or set discourse, utter.
Remember we are learning how to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Every thing that Jesus did in obedience to the Father provided a grace for us. Faith accesses grace! Faith is like our checkbook. Grace is like our bank account. Our checkbook accesses our bank account. Faith accesses grace!
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
We can see this process laid out in the scriptures as pertaining to our salvation.
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
We can see that our faith must access the saving grace provided through Christ Jesus in order for us to be saved and become a member of the body of Christ. Every person was dealt the same measure of faith. No one was given a lot more faith than someone else. We all must use our faith to access all the “graces” provided for us through Christ Jesus.
We just used the example of saving grace so let’s take another grace and see just how to bring a thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. For example only, let’s say that we open up our natural checkbook and it is 40 below zero. That is a cold bank account.
What thoughts might come into our mind? I’m broke! I don’t have any money! What am I going to eat! How can I put gas in the car? How am I going to pay the rent”?
This is just how the natural mind operates. According to Jesus, if we say forth those thoughts with words out of our mouth, we have taken those thoughts. When we speak those thoughts, we deceive our own heart and our heart will begin to move us toward remaining in lack and want circumstances. Our heart is designed to produce what we say.
In order for us to correctly take these thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, we must know what Jesus has placed in our grace account and access that particular grace with our faith.
Instead of saying any of those negative thoughts out of our mouth we would bring those thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ by saying out of our mouth, that which the scriptures record to be the grace which Jesus Christ provided for us. Of course, always personalize the scriptures.
2 Cor 8:9 For ye (I) know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your (my) sake he became poor, that ye (I) through his poverty might be rich.
2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you (me); that ye (I), always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your (my) food, and multiply your (my) seed sown, and increase the fruits of your (my) righteousness;)
11 (Me) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
When we speak out the wealth grace scriptures instead of the poverty and lack thoughts concerning our circumstances, then we have brought into captivity the poverty and lack thoughts to the obedience of Christ. When our heart hears us say those grace scriptures, our heart will begin to move us toward making decisions to cause the wealth grace provisions to become active in our life.
Sad to say but most of us are highly developed in irresponsible talking, saying things we don’t believe just for humor, doubt, unbelief, negativity, believing the worst and so on. James tells us that if we are on that course, if we begin to control our tongue, we can change the course of our ship.
We must also be aware of the fact that the Captain of a great ship can turn the helm all the way to the left and no one will notice anything all at once. However, if the helm is held there, with a bit of time the ship will turn around. On the high seas, it actually takes about an hour for a ship the reverse its course. We must not lose heart and hope after one of two times of applying these principles. Our mind must change from the old course of shipwreck to the new course of sailing into our grace course.
These principles apply to any circumstance in our natural life. We have the circumstance and then we have the grace provided for overpowering and overcoming that circumstance. This is the case with Abraham as written in Romans chapter 4. The Lord God called Abraham the father of many nations long before he had any children and he had a barren wife who was ninety years of age. Some strong arguments could be made here for the circumstances. Notice that it is God here that calls those things that be not as though they were.
Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I (God) have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Sometimes it is easy to get those “things that are” and those “things that are not” in the wrong order. We are not speaking in faith when we call the “things that are” as though “they are not”. If we have the flu, we are not operating in faith by saying we don’t have the flu. If we pattern our self after God’s method in this situation, then we would speak in faith “those things that be not” (healing and health) as though “they were”.
A prayer of bringing the thought and knowledge of having the flu into captivity to the obedience of Christ would sound something like this. Heavenly Father, I thank you that while Jesus was on the cross you laid on Him all my sin, sickness, disease and deformities and every other damnable form of the curse. Jesus was made to be a curse for me and therefore Jesus has already bore the curse of flu and died under the penalty of this sickness. Jesus went to hell and paid the full debt and He was raised to newness of life so I can be free from all sickness, including this flu. This flu is not my inheritance. My inheritance through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is healing and health. Therefore I speak to my own body and command you to line up with the promises of the Word of God and receive healing. I expel the sickness of flu and all evil bacteria of flu symptoms of flu and I decree health is my grace inheritance and I command my immune system healthy and strong in the name of Jesus. Amen!
Again, Abraham was over a hundred and his wife was ninety and barren and they had no children. All he had was the promise of the Word of the Lord, “You will be the father of many nations.”
Rom 4:18 Who against hope (bad circumstances here) believed in hope (the promise of God), that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
When we know the Truth of the Word of God and where in the scriptures Jesus provided a certain grace for us, then it is easier to become fully persuaded in our own mind as did Abraham and see things and circumstances change to line up with the promise and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s read this again and hopefully we will have a better understanding of “how” and begin to change the course of our ship (or vessel) toward the “grace course” provided for us.
Grace and Peace multiplied in the name of Jesus.
Compiled by Jerry Thomas 03/03/2018
All scripture references are (KJV) unless otherwise denoted.
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