How to Take Every Thought Captive
By Rick Warren

“Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” Romans 8:6 (NLT)

Have you noticed your mind doesn't always do what you tell it to do?

Sometimes your mind has a mind of its own. Sometimes your thoughts go off in directions that you don't intend. When you need to pray, your thoughts stray. When you want to ponder God’s Word, your thoughts want to wander. 

The Bible says, when this happens, you need to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). What does that mean? The Greek word used in that verse literally means you take thoughts prisoner. You conquer them. You bring them under control.

That’s only possible when you use the two weapons every believer has available to them: the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. 

First, you need to recognize the power of God's Spirit inside you. Without him, you are defenseless. Romans 8:6 says, “Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (NLT). 

You need Jesus in your life because, without the Holy Spirit, your sinful nature controls your mind and will always lead you in the wrong direction. But when the Spirit controls you, you have the power you need to take every thought captive.

Second, you need the Word of God. Jesus says, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32 GNT).

People like to quote the second part of that passage. In fact, it’s posted on university buildings all over the world. But very few people quote the first part, where it says you have to learn and obey God’s Word. People want the freedom without God’s truth.

In reality, there is no freedom without truth. And there is no truth without God's Word. God has given you the direction you need for life, and you can trust every word the Bible says. The more you get to know God’s Word and fill your mind with his truth, the easier it will be to direct your thoughts where you want them to go.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

Your Gift DOUBLES to Share the Hope of Jesus All Around the World

Thank you for your support to help take the Good News to people across the globe with Daily Hope. You are an important part of God’s mission to share hope with people who need to hear about Jesus!

Your gift below will be doubled by a $50,000 matching grant so that more people hear God’s Word on air, online, and through many other encouraging resources.

As thanks for your support, we’ll send you a set of Building Your Life on Values That Last Scripture cards to help you discover a life of true success and significance built on the foundation of God’s unchanging truth.

So request your cards when you give—and thank you for your generosity in sharing hope with others!

*All gifts will be doubled up to the full amount of the grant. Thank you for your generous support!

*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.

This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.