Devotion #6: Take Captive Every Thought
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
When we look at Romans 12:2, God has given us guidance on discerning His will for our lives. He commands us to not be conformed to this world. The world can mean many different things, but in this context, what Paul means or is referring to is a culture of values that prioritize things like materialism, selfishness, worldly success, and things that are in contrast to the things of God. Being conformed to the world means adapting or being shaped by the things of this world.
Paul not only instructs us to avoid being conformed to the world, but he also calls us to be transformed, and he explains how: through the renewal of our minds. What exactly does this mean? To understand how to transform and renew our minds, we can look to the Bible for guidance.
In 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV), we read, “We 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.”
We tear down anything that “sets itself up against the knowledge of God.” If we are honest with ourselves, we know the things that are against the knowledge of God. We know idolatry, rebellion, deception, pride, hate, and self-reliance are in direct conflict with God’s plans and character. So, when Paul talks about transforming our minds, we are to demolish these things in our lives. How do we do it? The answer is to take our thoughts captive, which allows us to renew our minds.
Renewing our minds involves replacing worldly patterns of thinking with Christ-centered thinking. As we meditate on Scripture, reflect on God’s nature, and seek His will in prayer, our minds are gradually renewed and aligned with God’s truth. For example, if your mind tends to dwell on worry or anxiety, taking your thoughts captive means deliberately focusing on Scripture that encourages our trust in God, such as Philippians 4:6 (NIV), “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
It also involves focusing on what is pure and holy. In Colossians 3:2, Paul instructs us to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” This involves disciplining ourselves to focus on thoughts that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable (Philippians 4:8). We actively choose to think about what is godly, virtuous, and eternal, rather than being preoccupied with fleeting or harmful thoughts.
To “take captive every thought” means to actively control and direct our thinking, making sure that it aligns with the truth of God’s Word. It is a conscious effort to reject thoughts that oppose God’s truth and to replace them with thoughts that are in obedience to Christ. This involves self-discipline, prayer, and studying and meditating on Scripture. It is part of the ongoing process of renewing our minds so that we can think and live in a way that honors God.