02/10/2025
Taking Thoughts Captive to Christ
Pastor John Guanci
COURTESY TO THE RESPONSE
God is focused on the condition of our hearts because there is no outward sin that does not have its roots in the sin of thought. We should honestly ask ourselves, “Does the condition of my heart, as it is before God, matter to me?”
What we are to do is prescribed in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
But what are we to do specifically to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ?
First, we are to confess unto the Lord and forsake the sin in our lives.
This from 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This speaks to the opportunity all who are far off from the Lord have, the opportunity to let Jesus into the moral junk drawers of your lives with the expressed desire and commitment to allowing Him to clean them up and to clean them out.
Second, refuse to entertain the specific thoughts that ensnare.
We must be resolved and purposeful to abandon those specific thoughts regarding specific sins which entangle and ensnare us. And if we find ourselves in a position where we’ve made progress and we’re growing in Christ and the Holy Spirit is ever increasingly our greater portion and then, out of the blue, we find ourselves desiring our old ways or even slipping back into those old ways, run, don’t walk, to God. Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
We can do this by intentionally and consciously directing and fixing our minds on that which is godly and pure: Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
If we say on one hand we want to be holy and on the other hand have unrepentant sin in our lives then there is a real question as to whether one is actually born again; if one is actually saved.
Third, we are to feed upon the word of God.
There is no replacement in the life with regards to effectiveness and spiritual nourishment for the word of God because it specifically and perfectly reveals God to us.
Matthew 4:4, “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” The word of God acts as an inerrant insulator of the heart against ungodly and evil thoughts.
Fourth, we are to avoid evil attractions, especially those which appeal to us personally.
If we desire to a nearer walk with the Lord then we need to be resolved to not expose ourselves to activities, images or conversations that provoke or stir up evil and ungodly thoughts; refusing to feed any tendency that draws your imagination into wickedness in living and a rebellious heart before the Lord.
Matthew 5:29-30, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”
It takes more than to merely not entertain sin; it must be starved to death.
Finally, we must cultivate a love of God.
Like any garden or flower bed we cultivate what we give nourishment to is what will grow and flourish. If we say we want to be godly but ungodly things are flourishing and godly things are wilting then this is evidence to what we are giving nourishment to and, may be an indicator that one has not been born again.
Colossians 3:1-7, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.”
Where our affections are set, our thoughts will be there as well; where our hearts are, so there is our treasure…is the treasure of your heart the Lord our God Jesus Christ or is it a rebellious thought life before God?
Answer honestly and seek the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation or that next step in Christian maturity.
Accreditation: the aforementioned five points were adopted from a John MacArthur text while the supporting content was developed by Pastor John Guanci.
Note: Whether you have a hard time making it to church each week, don't attend regularly or are still trying to figure out who God is, we thought it would be helpful to offer a dedicated column where there's an opportunity to reflect on the word of God at a pace that is personal.
In support of Pastor John Guanci and the congregation at Crystal Lake Christian Church, 8015 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake, The Response will seek to bring weekly sermon summaries for the benefit of our readers.
This from Pastor John, "Faith, much like life or any race, where you start is truly unimportant when compared to how you finish and the fact is we all trip, get turned around and we all error; seldom do things go as planned. But the good news is that God has made a way by which we can finish well in His sight and that is good, good news!"
