School of Awakening MP3 Download Course
By Jeremy Lopez
No one ever taught me how to capture every thought and make it obedient to Christ, as 2 Corinthians 10:5instructs us: “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.”
I didn’t have anyone to mentor me on this principle, and the church I attended didn’t teach it. So, I struggled. Fear would torment me. Vain imaginations ran wild. False scenarios played out in my mind, feeding my anxiety and stealing my peace.
No matter how many books I read, I couldn’t find one that truly helped with the battle in my mind—particularly when it came to capturing fearful thoughts that galloped through my brain like an out-of-control stampede. Instead of dismissing the thought, I would entertain it. I allowed it to take root, and before I knew it, it consumed me.
These mental attacks would plague me when I was about to speak at conferences, when I was home alone, or even when I was supposed to be relaxing on vacation. I didn’t have the tools to capture my thoughts, so I stayed in bondage. But I’ve learned an important truth:
We can Win the War in Our Minds
Whether you struggle with fear, anxiety, rejection, anger, offense, or any other emotional stronghold, you can capture every thought.
Every stronghold—whether addiction, temptation, sin, or runaway emotions—has one commonality: they all originate in our thoughts. The mind is a battlefield, but the good news is you don’t have to fight with worldly weapons.
The Holy Spirit assigns us spiritual weapons and divine tactics through the spirit of revelation. When we recognize our thoughts are not aligning with God’s Word, we must take action.
How to Capture Your Thoughts and Make Them Obedient to Christ
Winning the war in our minds isn’t automatic—it takes practice and discipline. But the Bible provides clear strategies to help us renew our minds and take control of our thoughts.
1. Recognize the Thought & Take it Captive
Every thought has an origin. Some come from God, bringing peace, clarity, and encouragement. Others come from the enemy, bringing fear, doubt, and condemnation.
When a thought enters your mind, pause and ask yourself:
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Is this thought in agreement with God’s Word?
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Does it bring peace or fear?
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Would Jesus approve of this thought?
If the thought doesn’t align with Scripture, it must be captured and removed. Don’t entertain it. Instead, replace it with truth from God’s Word.
2. Speak the Word of God Over Your Mind
The enemy attacks our minds with lies, but God has given us His Word as a sword to combat those lies (Ephesians 6:17). Speaking the Word out loud helps reinforce truth and drives out fear, doubt, and negativity.
Here are some powerful Scriptures to declare over your mind:
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Philippians 4:8 – “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
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Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
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Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Whenever a negative or anxious thought tries to take root, combat it by speaking God’s truth.
3. Ditch it and Pitch it!
If a thought isn’t from God, don’t hold onto it. Get rid of it immediately! As soon as you recognize an unhealthy thought—whether it’s fear, doubt, or insecurity—ditch it and pitch it.
One effective way to do this is through decreeing and declaring. Speak out loud:
- “I reject this fear! God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).”
- “I refuse to entertain this thought. I cast it down in Jesus’ name (2 Corinthians 10:5).”
When you verbally renounce negative thoughts and replace them with truth, you begin to train your mind to think according to God’s Word.
4. Strengthen Your Mind Through Discipline
Our minds are designed to be creative, but when undisciplined, they wander into dangerous territory. Thoughts scatter in all directions, fueled by emotions and circumstances.
The key to strengthening your mind is intentional focus.
Use your willpower – Make a conscious decision to reject thoughts that don’t serve you. Be stubborn and unyielding against mental attacks.
Develop new habits – Replace negative thought patterns with positive declarations and Scripture-based affirmations.
Pray for discernment – Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize unhealthy thoughts before they take root.
5. Keep Practicing Until it Becomes Second Nature
Just as athletes train to strengthen their muscles, we must train our minds to capture thoughts quickly. The more we practice, the easier it becomes.
The key is persistence. You won’t win every battle overnight, but as you remain committed to this process, you will see transformation.
Step Into Freedom Today
God desires for you to walk in peace, joy, and victory. Capturing your thoughts isn’t just about removing negativity—it’s about stepping into the fullness of who God created you to be.
So, start today:
✅ Recognize the thoughts that don’t belong.
✅ Speak the truth of God’s Word.
✅ Reject and replace negative thoughts.
✅ Strengthen your mind through discipline.
✅ Keep practicing until it becomes second nature.
You can win the war in your mind. Your breakthrough is on the other side of your thoughts. Start taking them captive today and step into the abundant life God has for you!
Kathy DeGraw
