What is holding you captive?
"Demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Taking your thoughts captive simply means gaining control over what you think about yourself and life. The truth is what we put in our mind has an effect on what we think!
I remember after watching the movie Jaws, as a kid, I was terrified that a shark would swim up the toilet. It was around the same time that there were urban legends floating around about alligators (or some reptilian) making its way up some woman’s toilet in Florida. I had nightmares not to mention the physiological discomforts. Those were very difficult days! It didn't take long to realize that the way to avoid the nightmares was to stop watching that kind of movie.
God has provided a way to overcome unhealthy thoughts and behaviours, and gain the self-control we seek. It's a matter of reclaiming our lives - God’s way.
Here are 3 ways to take your thoughts captive:
Our outward behaviours stem from inward thoughts. Allow God to transform you by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2). We are called to change those behaviours that do not honour God.
Think through your problems rather than just react to them. When we experience difficult challenges, we can react to them and think ourselves into a state of despair every time. You don't have to get trapped by disabling thoughts. You are capable of getting out of your shame, despair, hopelessness, and anger - by taking control of your thoughts.
Choose to focus your thoughts on the right things. We are to think about those things that are "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable" (Phil. 4:8). When we think about those things, God promises to give us His peace. What a contrast that is to the thoughts of millions of people today but contrary to popular opinion, we won’t find that peace in a movie, or tv show or how-to-formula. It takes personal discipline and commitment.
It is not easy, but it is possible, to retrain your thoughts or to respond in new Christ-like ways.
It is possible to live a life aware of our thoughts and take them captive!
So take heart: as God empowers you to focus your mind on the right things, it will become easier. You can develop a new frame of reference, based on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.