What do we do with our thoughts in spiritual warfare?
In spiritual warfare, believers cast down imaginations and everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. The battle is fought in the thought processes, where temptations arise, so thoughts must be measured against Scripture and submitted to Christ.
Les explains that Paul’s warfare was not after the flesh but in the spiritual realm, and the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Verse 5 describes casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Les notes that our largest problem is in the thought processes; that is where we fight most of our battles, the temptations in the thought. He also says that if the Bible does not teach something, we should run from it, because God has no intention for us to follow unscriptural teaching. Paul’s impact in Ephesus, against the worship of Diana, illustrates pulling down strongholds.
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;
More Questions
Where do believers fight most of their spiritual battles?
Our largest problem and the place where we fight most of our battles is in the thought processes, in the temptations of the thought life.
What does it mean to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ?
Verse 5 requires bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.