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How do we begin the process of bringing our thoughts into captivity?
First, you have to truly begin to think about what you are thinking about at any given moment. You must literally examine individual thoughts, one by one to make sure they fit within the Philippians boundaries.
I can testify that captive thinking becomes more attractive the more you practice it. I remember once starting to get into some self-pity thoughts. And as I realized it, I said to myself, “I don’t want to be depressed. I don’t want to feel sad. I will not think these self-pity thoughts.” So I brought those specific self-pity thoughts into captivity, refusing to let them intrude my mind, and I then was free from the burden of self-pity. That was when I began to actually practice this principle of bringing individual thoughts into captivity.
Now, once you screen and test those individual thoughts, the question is, “How do you stop thinking the wrong thoughts? You can determine they’re wrong, but you can’t stop thinking them!” Well, you have to use what I call the Replacement Theory. Replace the wrong thought with a right thought.
Isaiah 26:3 tells us ” You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” We have a replacement thought as Christians that is guaranteed to work every time. And that replacement thought is Jesus Christ. When in doubt, think about Jesus!
You may have to replace wrong thoughts every minute or two. But don’t let that discourage you. Just keep replacing. You’re changing habits that are ingrained, and you’re in a war with your enemy. So, don’t give up; just replace the wrong thought with the right thought, as many times as necessary.
[Mary has written a book on this topic, Think About What You Think About. And it is on special this month for $8. Click here for more information.]