We live in a world that is given to an information overload on many levels. Not only can we access myriads of facts from a few clicks on the world wide web, there is both the audiand visual media which gives opportunity for multi-processing 24/7.
Amazingly, long before the onset of this technological intrusiveness, the psalmist wrote that in the multitude of the thoughts within him, God's comforts delighted his soul (Psalm 94:19). Although the external circumstances were different, the internal nature of man still experienced the same kind of thought struggles that we have today, thousands of years later, he heart of man is still the heart of man, regardless of the age in which he lives. But, praise the Lord, the heart of God is still the heart of God, and according to 1 John 4:4, we have the full assurance that He that is in the believer is greater than he that is in the world. It is for that very reason that the psalmist could find delight in the things of God when the things of the world overwhelmed him, and when he was afraid, in Psalm 56:3, he could trust the Lord. in Psalm 45:3, he said that his downcast spirit was overturned by his confident in God, resulting in praise to Him.
So, what is biblical thought control? 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 give us a clear understanding of the spiritual warfare in which we are involved, as well as the action which must be taken in order for us to have spiritual victory in this critical area.
We must anticipate spiritual warfare. It is a promised fact for citizens of Heaven who are residents of planet earth. Although we groan and long for that heavenly home, as spoken of in 2 Corinthians 5:2-4, we know that His Word gives us all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), and that His grace is all-sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Therefore, according to verse 5 of the 2 Corinthian 10 passage, we must bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. We are told that we think thousands of thoughts a day. Every one of gives allegiance to the flesh or to the Spirit. Our responsibility is to steward our thoughts by identifying them, examining them in the light of God's Word, confessing wrong thoughts, and replacing with righteous ones that are in agreement with the Word of God.
"What saith the Scripture?" is a question that the apostle Paul raised on more than one occasion in his life and ministry, and is one that we should ask, as well. For example, when the thought of "I can't do this task God has given me", it should quickly be followed with what then Scripture says about that thought. 1Thessalonians 5:24 reminds us "faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it", and Philippians 4:13 gives confidence that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me".
The list can go on and on with the biblical Truth declared by God, administered by His Spirit,that should override the unbiblical thoughts of the flesh. I trust that each one of us will faithfully bring every thought into the obedience of Christ.
© 1993, 2012 NA Collins (limited copy permission for one personal file copy)
Amazingly, long before the onset of this technological intrusiveness, the psalmist wrote that in the multitude of the thoughts within him, God's comforts delighted his soul (Psalm 94:19). Although the external circumstances were different, the internal nature of man still experienced the same kind of thought struggles that we have today, thousands of years later, he heart of man is still the heart of man, regardless of the age in which he lives. But, praise the Lord, the heart of God is still the heart of God, and according to 1 John 4:4, we have the full assurance that He that is in the believer is greater than he that is in the world. It is for that very reason that the psalmist could find delight in the things of God when the things of the world overwhelmed him, and when he was afraid, in Psalm 56:3, he could trust the Lord. in Psalm 45:3, he said that his downcast spirit was overturned by his confident in God, resulting in praise to Him.
So, what is biblical thought control? 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 give us a clear understanding of the spiritual warfare in which we are involved, as well as the action which must be taken in order for us to have spiritual victory in this critical area.
We must anticipate spiritual warfare. It is a promised fact for citizens of Heaven who are residents of planet earth. Although we groan and long for that heavenly home, as spoken of in 2 Corinthians 5:2-4, we know that His Word gives us all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), and that His grace is all-sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Therefore, according to verse 5 of the 2 Corinthian 10 passage, we must bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. We are told that we think thousands of thoughts a day. Every one of gives allegiance to the flesh or to the Spirit. Our responsibility is to steward our thoughts by identifying them, examining them in the light of God's Word, confessing wrong thoughts, and replacing with righteous ones that are in agreement with the Word of God.
"What saith the Scripture?" is a question that the apostle Paul raised on more than one occasion in his life and ministry, and is one that we should ask, as well. For example, when the thought of "I can't do this task God has given me", it should quickly be followed with what then Scripture says about that thought. 1Thessalonians 5:24 reminds us "faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it", and Philippians 4:13 gives confidence that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me".
The list can go on and on with the biblical Truth declared by God, administered by His Spirit,that should override the unbiblical thoughts of the flesh. I trust that each one of us will faithfully bring every thought into the obedience of Christ.
© 1993, 2012 NA Collins (limited copy permission for one personal file copy)
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