10/1/2023 - Take Every Thought Captive

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 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;

He tells us to Cast Down our imaginations, the word imaginations means what we are considering, what we are reflecting on.

He goes on and tells us we are to cast down everything that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.

That is everything that contradicts the Word of God -that is where our knowledge of God comes from.

He said, we need to bring into captivity - capture it, and box it up in obedience to Christ.

The Bible tells us, “as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...”

We are going to look at our thoughts and emotions over the next four weeks and see how we can use the Word of God to help take care of our mental and emotional well being.

In turn, this will affect positively our spiritual well being.

Today I want to look at Philippians 4.

We live in a world where stress is a constant.

But what are we to do wtih stress and anxiety?

Trouble will always be with us!

Jesus said, John 16.33

John 16:33 KJV

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

So, even though we will have tribulation, we can still have peace!

But it is going to require us taking stock of our situation, and taking our thoughts captive, and replacing the lie of Satan with the Truth of God’s Word.

Paul wrote the Epistle of Philippians during a time of immense personal stress.

He had been dealing with some conflict with his former colleagues, the Jews.

There had been multiple attempts on his life.

Now he is living under house arrest in Rome awaiting his time for his case to be presented before Caesar.

During this time, there were preachers going around preaching the gospel, but they did it in a way that was contentious toward Paul.

They must have been bad mouthing him...

Philippians 1:15–16 KJV

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

They preached Christ but they did it in a way to add to Paul’s misery.

Yet there were others who preached out of love...

Philippians 1:17 KJV

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

But Paul chose to rejoice through it...

Philippians 1:18 KJV

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

The gospel is still being preached..he said, So I will rejoice!

Paul found the secret…He controlled his mindset.

Was he going to focus on the problem or the promise?

His focus would determine his mental and emotional state!

In Phil. 4, he began to instruct those in Philippi not to focus on the negatives, or the problems…but focus on God!

How can we follow Paul’s example in taking our thoughts captive, and choosing to do what God tells us in his word?

I. Choose Joy

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

When we are faced with some troubles, we have a choice.

We know this because this is verse is an imperative.

It is a command - Rejoice in the Lord!

God never commands something that He will not enable us to do!

We are commanded to Rejoice…but it is not situation in which we rejoice…it is a command to ...

A. Rejoice in the Lord

Get your gladness, get your joy form walking with the Lord.

This not a matter of feeling - you are not commanded to feel joy…it is a matter of obedience…choose joy.

The truth is we should not be obedient to our feelings, but that is the way we naturally are, if we are not careful.

No, instead we ought to make our feelings obedient to God.

We control our feelings!

When we do not feel like rejoicing…we take our thoughts captive, and we say…this is not what God had commanded me in His Word.

I am going to rejoice!

Not just some of the time…but always!

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

B. Rejoice in the Lord’s Coming

Paul continues and says to let your moderation [appropriateness, your yielding…what you yield to] be known unto all men…why because the Lord is at hand.

His coming is nigh!

Let this stir the rejoicing in our hearts - Jesus is Coming Again!

We will not have to deal with these situations for ever!

We can rejoice, we can live God wants us to live, because He is coming!

It’s your choice!

Are you going to choose to live in despair, or are you going to choose joy?

The second way that Paul tells us we can take our thoughts captive in obedience to God’s Word is to...

II. Reject Anxiety

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Worry and anxiety is natural in this life…but we need to choose a better mindset…and to do this we need to Reject Anxiety and worry!

How do we do this?

We take the thoughts captive and we...

A. Give it to God

…in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Pray about it!

Are you worried about a bill coming up?

Are you worried about a medical test being done?

Are you worried about your children?

Are you worried about a task that you have coming up?

Are you worried about being in your house all alone at night?

Are you worried about your work situation?

Are you worried about your relationships at home?

Are you worried something that you have done in the past?

Give it to God!

Be careful…be anxious for nothing…be worried about nothing!!

But in EVERY THING by prayer and supplication give it to God!

prayer deals with talking to God

Supplication deals with making known one’s needs

We are asking God to intervene.

But we can pray and give out supplications and still worry!

So God is very careful to tell us to change our focus...

B. Focus on Thanksgiving

In everything by prayer and supplication…with thanksgiving.

Focus on what God has already done!

Be thankful to Him for how He has both already worked…and in faith how He will work!

When my kids want something they would be wise to come to me with a spirit of thanksgiving and not demanding.

“Dad I sure appreciate how you work so hard to provide for our needs! I am thankful your my dad…Do you think we could keep an eye out for some knew shoes, mine are starting to fall apart.”

Not only will it help them, but it will help me as well!

It get’s them in a frame of mind of thankfulness, rather than discontent.

“I never have nice shoes, there always falling apart! I need you to buy me some more!”

No God wants us to bring our needs before Him, but he also says…but be thankful…have a spirit of thanksgiving in your requests.

And what will be the results?

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The result is peace…not anxiety

Peace…not ingratitude.

Peace…not worry.

In order for us to change our mindset…we are going to have to take captive every thought, and bring it under obedience to God’s Word.

This includes a Bad Attitude, or a grumbling spirit, we take it captive and bring it under obedience to Rejoicing.

We take our worry and anxiety captive and bring it under obedience to bring it to God with thanksgiving.

The Third way we can take our thoughts captive is we can purposefully...

III. Think Right

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Paul gives us a check list to see if what we are thinking needs to be taken captive, or not.

Every though that we think ought to be in obedience to God’s Word.

But this takes purposeful and thoughtful action.

First we ask ourselves does this thought...

A. Meet the Requirements

Whatsoever things are true - is it the truth?

Whatsoever things are honest - The word means to worship, reputable…it is that which is derived from a higher citizenship…is it worthy of your true citizenship?

Whatsoever things are just - Is it righteous and just, is it the right thing.

Whatsoever things are pure - Innocent, pure, blameless

Whatsoever things are lovely - things that are acceptable and pleasing.

Whatsoever things are of good report - praiseworthy, laudable.

If there be any virtue - being pleasing to God

if there be any praise - is it praiseworthy, commendable

He tells us these are the things we need to think about!

Does the thought meet these requirements?

You say, “That’s a lot of work! I don’t have time to go through that list.”

We know if a thought is righteous or not immediately!

But we can tell ourselves…I need to change my thoughts…it is not true…its not honest, etc.

We need to take the thoughts captive, and replace it with God’s Word.

“No one really cares about me.” - take it captive and bring it under obedience to God’s Word -

Psalm 136:23 KJV

23 Who remembered us in our low estate: For his mercy endureth for ever:

“No one understands what I am going through!” - take it captive and bring it under obedience to God’s Word -

Hebrews 4:15 KJV

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

“I just can’t stand that person, they get on my nerves!” take it captive and bring it under obedience to God’s Word - Is that pure and lovely or representative of my position as an ambassador of Christ? -

Colossians 3:12–13 KJV

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Whatever it may be…we need to take each thought captive, and compare it with God’s standard for our thoughts.

So what do we do if we find that it doesn’t match up to this checklist?

We...

B. Fill with God’s Word

Here in verse 9, he tells them how to keep their thoughts right....remember the right things!

1. what you have learned

2. what you have received

3. what you have heard

4. what you have seen

Remember the Bible verses you have learned.

Remember what the Bible tells you about those feelings you are feeling.

Remember what you have been taught.

Remember the sermons you have heard.

Remember the examples that God has given you and remember what you have seen.

In essence replace the bad thoughts with thoughts of God’s Word and the teaching of God’s Word.

So…in order for us to change our mindset…we are going to have to take captive every thought, and bring it under obedience to God’s Word.

We replace the negative attitude with Rejoicing, and we choose joy.

We take our worry and anxiety captive and bring it under obedience to bring it to God with thanksgiving.

We must take our thoughts captive and purposefully Think Right - compare our thoughts to God’s checklist, and when it doesn’t match…replace it with God’s Word.

And then fourth, we need to choose to ...

IV. Be Content

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Paul lives by example in verse 10…he was content, but he still was careful to...

A. Accept Help When God Gives

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

Some try live so contented that they don’t accept the help that God tries to send them.

Be thankful.

I hate asking for help!

I hate telling anyone when I have a need.

I don’t want to be a burden to anyone, but when someone gives us something…I am very careful not to turn it away.

It’s hard on my pride sometimes…but I have realized that God places on the heart of other Christians a need that you have, and desires to bless them through their giving.

Paul rejoiced that the church at Philippi cared for him, they just lacked the opportunity to do something about it.

Paul had received help from fellow Christians many times.

Including at times past from this very church.

Later in this very chapter in verse 16 he said...

Philippians 4:16 KJV

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

He was willing to humble himself, and accept the help that God sent his way.

But he was also willing to...

B. Be Content When God Doesn’t

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Paul chose to be content, no matter what situation he found himself.

He told the church there at Philippi…I’m talking about the gift that you recently wanted to give…but I’m not speaking this because I need something.

He said he has learned to be content no matter what situation he has found himself.

He has learned to be abased - humbled in material goods

He has learned to abound - overflowing with material goods

In his ministry experiences, he has experienced plenty and he has experienced hunger.

Here under house arrest in his rented home in Rome, not where he had planned…but where God had him…He chose contentment.

How? How does he live in contentment even when he is suffering need and hungry?

Because he says in verse 13

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

God never commands something that He will not enable us to obey.

He never takes us anywhere, or through anything, where His grace cannot keep us.

I read a poem of sorts by an unknown author that has helped me, it says...

The will of God will never take you, Where the grace of God cannot keep you. Where the arms of God cannot support you, Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs, Where the power of God cannot endow you. The will of God will never take you, Where the spirit of God cannot work through you, Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you, Where the army of God cannot protect you, Where the hands of God cannot mold you. The will of God will never take you, Where the love of God cannot enfold you, Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you, Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears, Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you. The will of God will never take you, Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears, Where the Word of God cannot feed you, Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you, Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

Conclusion

Our mindset is so important.

How are you going to set your mind?

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he...

If you think thoughts that are distrusting of the Lord, you will live in anxiety and worry.

If you think thoughts of hatred and evil speaking, you will live in bitterness and strife.

If you think thoughts are untrue according to God’s Word, you will live the lie throughout your life, and you will never see the blessed truth shine forth in you.

We need to take every thought captive, and bring the thoughts under obedience to the knowledge of God…the Word of God.

Are you living in despair and depression…choose joy…it will take time, it will take effort, it will take consistency....but choose joy.

Are you living in anxiety and worry…reject it and give the situation to God and choose thankfulness.

Are you living with thoughts that are not righteous, not pure, not true…choose to think right and fill your mind with God’s Word.

Are you unhappy with the situation God has you, the balance of your checking account, or the life that you have? Chose contentment.

Take captive the wrong thoughts and bring them under obedience to God’s Word.

Depression and severe anxiety may need some help from medical doctors to break a cycle and get us where we can be able to apply God’s truths to the situation.

In this case, seek medical care.

But otherwise, we just need to choose to live in obedience to God’s Word.

In the first chapter of her book, Get Out of Your Head, author Jennie Allen shares a vulnearble and honest moments from her own life about just how hard it can be to focus in a world of distraction:

“Take every thought captive.” They say authors write books for two reasons: either the author is an expert on the subject, or the subject makes the author desperate enough to spend years finding the answers. The latter most definitely describes me. This morning I woke up intending to write to you. But first, I thought, I need to spend time with God. So what did I do? I picked up my phone. I noticed an email about something I was working on, in which the sender was “constructively” critical of my work.

Just as I decided to set my phone down, something else stole my attention…and the next thing I knew, I was on Instagram, noticing others’ wins and glories contrasted with my work in process that seemed to not be measuring up. In minutes with my phone, I decided that I was an inadequate writer, I was spending my life chasing things that mean nothing because I am nothing, I have nothing to say. I was spiraling fast into discouragement. Then my husband, Zac, came in happy, having just met with God, and I snapped at him.

My spiral began to spin faster and more chaotically. In less than an hour, I had diminished myself, criticized all my work, decided to quit ministry, ignored God, and pushed away my greatest advocate and friend.

Wow. Brilliant, Jennie. And that was only this morning? And now you want to try to help me with my chaotic thoughts?

Can you relate to Jennie’s morning?

I can, it may not look exactly like that…but the patterns are certainly recognizable.

Just as Jennie recognized the wrong thoughts, and brought them under captivity in obedience to God’s Word…we need to do the same thing.

It starts with a commitment and a choice!

Choose Joy

Reject Anxiety and choose thanksgiving

Choose to think right

Choose contentment.

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