2 Corinthians 10:5 “Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.”

I have heard many sermons preached on and have read many devotionals regarding 2 Corinthians 10:5. Every one of them has been thought-provoking, encouraging and inspirational. However this morning, I saw this verse from a different perspective. Isn’t so amazing how God can show us something fresh and new from something you’ve seen many times?

I think because of the way this verse is used in context, it has been easy for me to see the text from this perspective:

Take every sinful, negative, tempting thought captive and make them all obedient to Christ.

Makes sense right? Well this morning, the writer of the devotional I read challenged me to take a fresh look:

Take every positive thought, creative idea, or idea about an area of service or purpose and make it obedient to Christ.

Obedience in this context means take action or move forward with what the Lord has revealed.

Satan has a knack for tripping us up and enabling our strongholds to render us motionless. He whispers negative thoughts in our ear all the time. When we take a stronghold and submit it to Christ, He gives us the strength to stand and fight. We have authority through Christ to stand firm.

Similarly, when God gives us a creative idea – something He has purposed for us to do – we have to take that thought captive and make it obedient – in other words, take action. Doubt, fear, being over-analytical, and/or hesitation are not forms of obedience…are they? I know I have spent far too long “over-analyzing” what God has confirmed He wants me to do. This time over-analyzing left me paralyzed to move forward…and that lack of movement is right where Satan wanted me. But God doesn’t want me to over-analyzing things. He called me based on who He knows I can be and that is what Satan tried to hinder. The step of faith always comes when I move forward believing in God’s promises over Satan’s lies.

What has God asked you to do lately? Have you taken action or are you being hesitant? May I encourage you today to take the thought captive and obediently step out in faith.