January 19 – Taking Thoughts Captive

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 

I love that…”taking every thought captive.” I have a vivid imagination and can just see thoughts escaping from people’s’ heads and they are running around capturing and tucking away in their hearts those thoughts that are worthy of obedience…and destroying with a huge sledge hammer, the thoughts that are not in keeping with God’s will and His ways. Sort of sounds like a cartoon with hearts and hammers—but imagine those thoughts in different colors, too…blues and reds are good for “good thoughts” and how about bright chartreuse and motley browns for those “wicked thoughts.” Obedience is an action, not a color. We must have knowledge of God in order to be obedient to Him. So seek to know God. One of my favorite songs is based on Matthew 6:33…♫ but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Seek—look for with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. God will reveal Himself and His will to you, if you ask Him. Then take your thoughts captive to be obedient to Christ, to know the will of God and to be pleasing in all that you do. Those would definitely be red and blue thoughts.   

Training Tip – With your pre-schoolers, blow some bubbles and let them pop them. Then make a game of it and say “here’s a good thought for God—let it float up to Heaven” and watch it go up or blow around. “If it touches the ground it becomes a bad thought—so stomp on it!” They’ll love the stomping!

With older kids, challenge them to draw how they would illustrate taking thoughts captive to be obedient to Christ—making their thoughts acceptable to God. It will hopefully open up discussion as to what it means to be obedient to God, and to you. They could also show how they would destroy bad thoughts. 

Lord – I am seeking you and want to be obedient to Your will and Your ways. Help me to guide those in my care that they also would want to take their thoughts captive and make them obedient to You.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.