What to Do with Troublesome Thoughts

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 KJV 1900

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Introduction

It is in our youth when we first start to experience problematic thoughts. Thoughts of sin, violence against others, against ourselves, low self esteem, discouragement, anger towards parents and teachers and people with authority. Today I am going to share some tips I wish I understood as a youth on what to do with these thoughts.

Cast Down and Identify

First of all, you must cast down and identify these thoughts. The troublesome thoughts in your head are trying to build inside of you. They want you to spend time thinking about them, then act on them, then make a habit of them, and then entrap you in a lifestyle of them. These movies and soundtracks start to play in your head of how terrible you are, how wrong your authorities are, how you need to do what you want to do and hide it from everyone else. You need to pull down those imaginations! You need to identify them. Where did this come from! Every thought that pops in your head may not have originated from you! Your enemy the devil loves to whisper little soundbites that will send you spiraling in his direction.

Capture and Interrogate

Secondly, you must capture and interrogate each and every one of these thoughts. Your meditations and your yoga teachers and your secular psychologists might tell you to notice your thoughts and let them pass, but that’s not what our GOD teaches us to do! Our Bible teaches us to capture each of those thoughts. That thought is now a prisoner of war. Interrogate the literal hell out of it. What can it tell you about the enemy? That thing is about to give up state secrets that you can use to destroy the concept that thought represents - it’s gonna tell you Satan’s intentions for you, which he doesn’t want you to know.

Challenge and Illuminate

Thirdly, you must challenge and illuminate those thoughts. Now that you’ve gathered your intel, you can force that thought into submission to Christ. Teach it the truth from God’s word. Then make it repeat the truth back to you. We not just gonna let lies run rampant in our minds anymore. We’re going to shine the light of God’s Word into the darkness of our dark thoughts!

Conclusion

In conclusion, when we cast down and identify, capture and interrogate, challenge and illuminate our thoughts, then we will start to see a difference in our mental health, our family health, our school health, and our future health!