Lesson 24: Taking Thoughts Captive
Questions 3 and 4
We Christians possess divine weapons to demolish demonic strongholds. A "stronghold" is an argument that “sets itself up against the knowledge of God."
For example, worldly insights can become thought-strongholds in our minds. The world offers us "arguments" about “addiction” telling us our spouse will never change, but to believe the world's wisdom, we must deny the power of God.
Paul wrote to the Colossians that all true wisdom is in Christ, and warned them to reject the fine-sounding ideologies of the world:
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. Colossians 2:2-4 (NIV) Thought strongholds are fine-sounding and always seem plausible at the moment, but again, to believe them, we must turn away from Christ and the power of the cross.
One thought stronghold I had was: “I am not what my husband needs. He needs someone sexier, smarter, and better than me. We should be with people who make us happy.” This type of thinking was nearly my undoing. I feared I could never meet my husband’s needs or make him happy. But now I know the truth; God has joined my husband and I together for a purpose. God can work in us to love and care for each other. God has united us to build His Kingdom. These are the truths that have replaced the lies I was believing.
Question 3. Are there any beliefs about your life or marriage lodged in your mind that deny the power of God? Please share.
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Thought strongholds can be dominating, debilitating, and frustrating. Another typical thought stronghold is the idea that when someone hurts us, we should hurt them back, so they learn not to hurt us. And in the world’s economy this type of thinking makes sense, but not in God’s.
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus forgave all who betrayed Him while He was hanging on the cross suffering in their place. God calls us to bless those that curse us and to extend kindness and love to those who despitefully use us (Romans 12:14; Luke 6:28), and this is precisely what Jesus was doing on the cross! If you would be free and have the mind of Christ, you must reject the ways of the world, your flesh, and the devil and instead cling to the cross, and walk by the truth of God’s Word, in the power of God’s Spirit.