Taking Every Thought Captive to the Obedience of Christ
Your mind is the control center of your life. What goes on between your ears determines the direction of your days, the health of your relationships, and the depth of your walk with God. The Bible is rich with instruction about the kinds of minds that either lead to death or life and peace. As believers, we are called to take every thought captive and set our minds on things above. Let’s examine the “minds” mentioned in Scripture — the ones we are to avoid and the ones we are to emulate.
I. The Carnal Mind – A Mind at War with God
Romans 8:6 (ESV): “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Challenge: The carnal mind is driven by fleshly desires, resistant to God’s truth, and focused on self-gratification.
Tool: Crucify the flesh through daily surrender, meditating on Scripture (Galatians 5:24), and feeding the spirit through worship and prayer.
II. The Reprobate Mind – A Mind Given Over
Romans 1:28 (ESV): “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.”
Challenge: Consistent rejection of God’s truth leads to a hardened, deceived mind.
Tool: Stay humble and open to conviction. Walk in repentance and maintain a heart that longs for holiness.
III. The Doubtful Mind – A Mind Tossed by the Wind
James 1:6 (ESV): “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”
Challenge: Doubt weakens trust and obstructs answered prayer.
Tool: Saturate your mind with God’s promises. Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17) — feed on testimonies and Scripture.
IV. The Anxious Mind – A Mind Consumed by Fear
Luke 12:29 (ESV): “And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.”
Challenge: Worry weighs us down and distracts from God’s presence.
Tool: Trade anxiety for prayer. Bring every concern to God (Philippians 4:6–7) and trust Him with the outcome.
V. The Mind of Christ – A Mind that Serves
Philippians 2:5 (ESV): “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
Challenge: The world promotes pride and self-advancement. Christ’s mind is marked by humility and sacrifice.
Tool: Serve others with joy. Follow Jesus’ example by living in obedience, humility, and love.
VI. A Transformed Mind – Renewed Daily by Truth
Romans 12:2 (ESV): “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Challenge: The world constantly presses in, trying to conform our thinking.
Tool: Let Scripture reshape your thinking every day. Transformation begins with consistent renewal.
VII. A Single Eye – Focused and Full of Light
Matthew 6:22 (ESV): “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.”
Challenge: Our minds are bombarded with distractions that blur our spiritual focus.
Tool: Simplify. Focus your life on Jesus. When your eye is singular in focus — fixed on Christ — your whole being is filled with light.
VIII. A Heavenly Mind – Lifted Above the Temporary
Colossians 3:2 (ESV): “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Challenge: Earthly pressures dominate our thoughts. But we were made for more.
Tool: Remind yourself of eternity. Heaven is real, and so is the hope of your calling in Christ.
IX. Tell Me What to Think About!
Philippians 4:8 (ESV): “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Instead of just avoiding wrong thoughts, Paul tells us exactly what we should think about. Here’s God’s list:
- Whatever is True: Dwell on God’s Word, not the lies of the enemy. (John 17:17)
- Whatever is Honorable: Respect what is noble and dignified. (Titus 3:2)
- Whatever is Just: Fix your mind on righteousness and justice. (Micah 6:8)
- Whatever is Pure: Keep your thoughts clean and holy. (Psalm 51:10)
- Whatever is Lovely: See beauty and grace in God’s creation and character. (Romans 10:15)
- Whatever is Commendable: Think on admirable, well-spoken-of things. (Proverbs 27:2)
- Anything Excellent or Praiseworthy: Celebrate every evidence of God’s goodness. (Psalm 105:1)
Use this as your thought filter. If it doesn’t match these virtues — don’t meditate on it!
Conclusion: What’s Going On Between Your Ears?
The mind is a battlefield — and what we allow to live there either fuels spiritual growth or feeds our defeat. Don’t let your thoughts run wild. Bring them under Christ’s control.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV): “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Today’s Call:
Set your mind. Guard your thoughts. Let your eye be single, your mind transformed, and your life flooded with the light of Christ.