“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NLT)
Paul instructs us to “hold every thought captive to obedience to Christ”! This is a tall task; however, it will eliminate a lot of garbage from our thought life. Ephesians 4:31 (NLT): “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” It will also “add” good things to our thought life. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT): “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
We can intentionally choose good thoughts. Philippians 4:8 (NLT): “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
We have experienced a great deal of information coming at us recently. Troubled times and mixed messages seem to have no end. Paul’s words are “spot on” as we consider the task before every parent. We battle for the souls and hearts of our children, but we have Christ and His mighty power as our Helper.
The strongholds of human reasoning seem to be running rampant today in our culture as it attempts to shape our children into incorrect thinking. This effort focuses on human reasoning and thought and totally leaves God out. We can “hold every thought captive to obedience to Christ”. Just think of the blessing to our children if we can teach them to do the same. As parents, we can’t afford to lead shallow lives that merely carry us from day to day with mindless thinking. God intends that our life be with purpose. There is no greater one than raising children that honor Him with their lives.
Our lifestyles are truly determined by our heart and mind. The Bible is not only for us to read, but it is intended to “read us”. As a parent, what is my focus? What is it that I think about? What consumes me? What truly matters to me more than anything else? How are Jesus and I right now? If we don’t stop and evaluate our time, talents, thoughts and abilities and where we invest them, then we may miss realizing our true priorities. We may look back one day and declare “I missed it”!
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2
As a parent, having wrong priorities affects us and our children. What if we embark upon a commitment to “hold “every” thought captive to obedience to Christ”? Goodbye bitterness, grumpiness, selfishness. Hello kindness, gentleness and self-control.
