How To Take Thoughts Captive To Obey Christ
~ Our new journal is delving into HOW to take thoughts captive to obey Christ. Paul talks about this very thing in 2 Corinthians so it must be possible, right? Let’s find out! ~
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Are you able to control your thoughts? Is that even possible?
My wheels started turning after coming across the following verse …
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV): We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Before I begin, I must admit this irony: I painted the verse above – and even wrote a blog post to go with it – several years ago, but I had to go back and re-read it to remember what I said! Please tell me you can relate.
Flash forward to today after I spent the last year studying all I could find in the Bible about thoughts, intentions, and knowledge. Now I am relying on this verse (among many others I found!) …
John 14:26 (ESV): But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Turns out, God had more to say about thoughts than I thought! {grin} And I’m dying to share all 365+ verses with you!
But for the sake of time, today let’s just cover the verse that prompted this whole study. Please read it again. It’s that good.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV): We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
My first question was: EVERY thought?
That led me to look up the verse in other translations and, sure enough, the word “every” is in all translations.
So it is possible? I had to find out more – because just imagine living with EVERY thought captive to obey Christ! Yes, please.
As I was looking up the chapter to read the verse in its context, it occurred to me that the verse didn’t explain how to keep thoughts from coming to mind. Instead, it explained what to do with the thought after it was in mind: take it captive to obey Christ.
Sounds great. But how exactly? Let’s dig in to see what we can find out.
The two verses before it say …
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV): For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Paul often used battle-type language and it works well here.
In a nutshell, Paul said Believers in Christ don’t have to wage the war in thoughts (or any other stronghold) according to our flesh. We don’t have to use sheer will-power.
God has given us weapons that contain His divine power to destroy strongholds!
The definition of destroy is: put an end to.
So it IS possible!
Matthew 19:26 (ESV): But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
This gave me motivation to search the Bible for more of the “how-to” aspect. And I’m excited to report that I learned a lot!
And you can too …
If your thought life, like mine, could use some divine power, I’d like to introduce you to our newest guided Scripture Writing Journal dedicated to 365 Bible verses about our thoughts and intentions – and how to take them captive to obey Christ.
Take a look at our brand new …
365 Captive Thoughts Scripture Writing Journal
Like all of our Scripture writing journals, this journal is all Bible. There is no commentary.
God will be doing all the speaking.
We will simply write a verse a day and dig into one question.
I honestly wasn’t sure there would be enough verses about thoughts and knowledge for a 365 journal, but guess what? There were more than double that!
Who knew God had so much to say about this subject!
So I pared the verses down to 365 by choosing the ones that answered these pressing questions:
- How were thoughts taken captive?
- What led to captive thoughts?
- What kind of thoughts were recommended?
- What hindered captive thoughts?
- How did God affect thoughts?
After compiling all of the verses and answering those questions, I can now confidently say that God has made an amazing way for us to take every thought captive to obey Him.
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What’s Inside the “Write Captive Thoughts On My Heart” Journal?
This journal will guide you through 365 Bible passages pertaining to thoughts, intentions, and knowledge.
You will be directed to write one or two specific verses – one for each day of the year – and underline the word(s) referring to thoughts.
Then you’ll answer one question that will help you discern more about taking thoughts captive to obey Christ.
Here’s an example:
For this Bible study you’ll be writing a verse a day and hunting for detailed information about how thoughts were taken (or not taken) captive in the Bible.
What’s On the Outside of the journal?
This beautiful journal has a watercolor wrap around cover …
Two 8×10 cover options are available!
- Beautiful, sturdy matte hardcover you can keep and refer to for years to come, OR
- Glossy, flexible softcover for convenience and portability.
Both cover options include the exact same interior content:
- Hand-painted original watercolor cover art
- 365 verses and guided observations
- Watercolor spaces on which to write each day
- Hand-lettered Scripture art throughout
- White uncoated, 70# (105 GSM) paper for excellent, no-bleed writing
Now for the fun stuff …
Enjoy 5 Pre-Order Week Specials!
As a thank you for pre-ordering the Write Captive Thoughts on My Heart journal, we are delighted to include some exciting, one-week-only freebies and 3 different discounts!
The special bonuses will only be available during our Pre-Order Week window of November 22-29, 2024!
As with all of our products, these bonus items are designed to help you write God’s Word deeper on your heart.
Special #1 – Free Scripture Memory Cards
One of the very best ways to write God’s Word indelibly on your heart is to physically write it down! That’s why we champion Scripture writing.
As you are working through the captive thoughts verses in the book, you can also be rehearsing the truths over and over with this free Scripture memory card set!
We have curated 12 printable hand-lettered Names of God verses in a convenient, portable, memory card format exclusively for Pre-Order Week!
These digital cards will be emailed to you with your Nov. 22-29, 2024 Write Captive Thoughts On My Heart journal purchase.
Print them out and tape them to your bathroom mirror, keep them in the car, or use them to make a memory verse booklet.
Special #2 – Free Post It Notes
We are excited to introduce a new exclusive Write Them On My Heart Post-It notes pad to remind you that your goal through this study is to write God’s Word on your heart.
Our brand new 3×3 inch Post-It notes (yes, they are Post-It note brand) were designed specifically to gift to our Pre-Order Week purchasers.
Use this practical gift in your journal or Bible, or anywhere you need to leave a note or reminder or a verse.
The Post-It notes pad will be mailed with your Nov. 22-29, 2024 new journal purchase.
Special #3 – 15% OFF the New Journal!
During Pre-Order Week, the new Write Captive Thoughts On My Heart journal will be offered at 15% off the regular price!
This is a biggie!
Because of the cost of printing, we rarely mark down our Scripture Writing Journals!
But if you pre-order November 22-29, 2024, you will receive 15% off the regular price!
Psst. If you’d like a bigger discount, keep reading …
Special #4 – Bundle ANY 3 Journals and SAVE 20%!
Want to give Scripture Writing journals for Christmas presents?
Or maybe a group of you would like to do a study together.
Do we have a deal for you!
Choose ANY combination of 3 book journals during Pre-Order Week and receive 20% off!
Special #5 – One-of-Each Journal – Set of 7 is 30% OFF!
During Pre-Order Week (Nov. 22-29, 2024), we will offer a set of seven book journals (including the new one) for a special amazing BUNDLE discount – 30% OFF!
Stock up during Pre-Order Week while the discount is as low as it gets!
FAQs
When will my book(s) arrive?
Journals will begin shipping on or before December 13 and will arrive in 2-8 business days! When it is in the mail, you will receive an email with information to track your package.
When will my card be charged?
Payments will be processed by Etsy as soon as you complete your order.
When will I receive my pre-order bonuses?
You will receive an email including a digital download of the Scripture memory cards within 24 hours of your purchase. The Post-It notes pad will be shipped along with your journal!
What are the shipping fees?
Our journals ship FREE from our Etsy Shop!
We pray you devour and learn as much in the new Write The Captive Thoughts On My Heart journals as we did!
We are thrilled that you are choosing to write God’s Word on your heart and so thankful that you would let us come alongside you as you do!
Thank you for your support of this ministry. We are grateful for YOU and are praying for the Lord to use these products to draw you ever closer to Him!
*My prayer for you is … that this blog will inspire you to open your Bible every single day to seek God’s face and write His Word on your heart – because HE’S the key to lasting heart change!
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