“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Our minds are constantly being bombarded with all kinds of thoughts throughout each day. Our thoughts are like clouds floating through the day; they are constantly moving and changing. Our minds are always questioning, analyzing, and comparing things. Our minds also have a filter that would allow us to accept certain thoughts and to reject others. Otherwise, the millions of thoughts that come our way would overload our system and cause it to crash, very much like a computer would when it is overloaded with data.

Many of us are restless as we view the world around us. But we are told in scripture that the man that meditates upon God’s word will be like a tree that is planted by the river. He will thrive and will yield its fruit in its season.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” Psalm 1:1-3.

Our minds as some would know, are also like a battlefield. For as thoughts come, some can very easily lead us astray down roads that can lead to bad decisions and danger. Other thoughts can lead to peace and safety. When we set our minds on things above, then the patterns of our thought lives change, and we are not ruled by those thoughts that would come and lead us astray. To be sure, those thoughts do come, but the more and more that we dwell upon what is above, then a trail is blazed so to speak, of a thought pattern, and this pattern becomes stronger and stronger the more we dwell upon it.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” Colossians 3:2.

It’s not to say that we are naïve or that we don’t know about the dark and despicable things that happen in the world around us; it’s that we choose to dwell upon what is good, and just, and right instead.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” Philippians 4:8.

For as we see the world around us we could easily lose hope because of the calamity and hatred and violence that so easily pervades our world. If our thoughts were constantly on this, then surely we most likely would lose hope, for it would seem that there was no way out. When we hear of mass shootings in the schools, when we see the rise of wars and rumors of wars, and when we see natural catastrophes on the rise, one could certainly live in a state of fear or despair. But we have this hope set as an anchor, which would give us strength in spite of the world around us.

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain” Hebrews 6:19.

It is a war that we are always waging against, and this war takes place in the battlefield of our minds. We are equipped with wonderful minds that can dwell upon distant memories, while at the same time making considerations and plans for the future. We can analyze complicated math problems, compose symphonies, create artwork, and write poetry. We can also plan devilish schemes, and entertain bitterness and hatred. We have choices with what we want to dwell upon with our minds. But we can also choose to ignore certain thoughts and take them captive to the obedience of Christ. For when we do then, peace will come, and green pastures will open up to us where we can feed upon what is good and right, instead of what is foul and bad.

Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson

Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?

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