Day 4 - A Monumental Task: Bring Every Thought Captive to Christ

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 15

Michael’s book is available through: 

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

Isn’t it amazing how God can give someone an idea on how to handle a difficult situation that turns it into a pleasant victory…when most other people experience defeat after defeat.  The best news is Michael shares a plan for victory with us!

Day 4

A Monumental Task: Bring Every Thought Captive to Christ

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. --II Corinthians 10:5 & 6

Some time ago, I gave myself a challenge to spend one week not thinking about myself. It sounds easy, does it not? Of course, psychologically speaking, this is denial and a very poor practice, but we are all still waiting for the demonstration of the truth of that theory! Well, the first day of withdrawal was the hardest. The battle for the mind was incredible! The obsessive mind of a hardened self-absorption addict became much clearer. It was an amazing experience. I would find myself constantly thinking of what I could tell someone who disagreed with me. I would stop that thought and next would come a flood of thoughts about people who had offended me. I went from having thoughts of grandeur to thoughts of self-hatred. I would block the progress of those and next would come self-righteousness, followed by unrighteousness. Everything that hinted of Mike was captured and brought to Jesus. Then there were fears concerning my children, worries about finances, and bewilderment over the future that, again, were captured and brought to Jesus. Afterward came all of the legitimate concerns. What about the schedule for the Amazon? What am I going to do with the government committee in Fiji? What about the German translation of my book? Again, everything brought to Jesus. It was work, but I did not merely take the thoughts captive, I took them to Jesus as captive thoughts, and when I came to Him, I asked a simple question: “Now, would You please tell me something about You?” He always did. In the course of a week I became lighter, and lighter, and lighter; I felt so free! I was surprised that everything that had filled my mind in the past really did not matter. All I had was the moment, and if in the moment He was teaching me about Himself, this moment was glorious. I discovered just how much the flesh--preferring to be under the rule of something other than Jesus--hates to come as a captive to Him. Also, the whole adventure was measurably easier any time I was serving others and ministering. It was a great week, a tremendous week, the value of which I would not exchange for anything.  

Have you ever thought about “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”?  Or, have you tried to do this?  I have.  It is a difficult task.  At least it has been.  I can’t wait to try Michael’s “plan” (red highlight) for doing this.

I have a friend from our days on the golf team at college.  I gave him a copy of MWfHS, and he told me he read Day 4 and on a trip out of town decided to work on this.  I laughed as he told me he gave up after a period of defeat after defeat.  I wasn’t laughing at him, but just at the remembrance of how I have lost this same battle time and again.  But, just as funny…I didn’t think to ask him if he had tried Michael’s “plan” of taking the captive thoughts to Jesus and asking the Lord to please tell him something about Himself.  I will do that soon.

Now, one other thing…isn’t it incredible what Michael discovered about “everything that had filled (his) mind in the past really did not matter”.  That’s a staggering revelation!  ALL those thoughts not brought captive to the obedience of Christ filling our minds and having no relevance?  Wow!  Ugly!

I sure hope and pray Michael’s “plan” works…I want to constantly experience “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”.  What about you?

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point               Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                 936-559-5696