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CHAPTER 3 OF RESTTING YOUR THINKING BOOK. ANCIENT ROME IMAGERY OF TAKING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE.
CHAPTER 3 OF RESTTING YOUR THINKING BOOK. ANCIENT ROME IMAGERY OF TAKING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE.
In the ancient eras of warfare, it was not enough for victorious armies to simply conquer their enemies on the battlefield. Their ultimate goal was to capture the opposing king, generals, and key warriors as a symbolic demonstration of their undeniable triumph.
After being captured, these prisoners would then be publicly displayed through the bustling streets, brought before the ruler himself, and ultimately subjected to his complete and unquestioned authority.
Just as Christ claimed victory over principalities and powers, we are empowered to claim victory over every thought that opposes God’s truth. The act of taking thoughts captive mirrors Christ’s act of leading captivity captive—it is a declaration that we no longer live under the dominion of sin, fear, or deception. Ephesians 4:8 says, “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men.”
What we don’t conquer in our frame of mind will never be overcome in any form of spiritual activity, including the place of prayer and fasting. The biblical principle of taking every thought captive, as described in 2 Corinthians 10:5, carries significant weight, as it is a potent military metaphor deeply rooted in ancient warfare strategies and techniques.
This scripture offers a useful insight into the concept of taking every thought captive, as it depicts Christ’s ultimate victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Just as Christ, in His triumph, took captive the spiritual forces that once held humanity in bondage, we are called to exercise a similar authority over our thought life.
When Christ ascended, He demonstrated total dominion over His enemies by "leading captivity captive." This imagery of a victorious procession mirrors the ancient Roman practice of parading defeated enemies in chains to showcase victory.
In the same way, we are called to enforce this victory in our personal battles, particularly in the arena of the mind. Negative, harmful, and ungodly thoughts must be taken captive and subjected to Christ’s authority, symbolizing our triumph over the schemes of the Enemy.
To take thoughts captive, we must use the standard of Christ’s mind to evaluate them. Philippians 4:8 gives a clear guideline for this process: thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy are consistent with the mind of Christ.
Anything outside these parameters must be captured and subjected to His authority. Our thoughts should uplift, inspire, and transform not only our lives, but also the lives of those around us.
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By Isaiah-Phillips AkintolaCHAPTER 3 OF RESTTING YOUR THINKING BOOK. ANCIENT ROME IMAGERY OF TAKING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE.
In the ancient eras of warfare, it was not enough for victorious armies to simply conquer their enemies on the battlefield. Their ultimate goal was to capture the opposing king, generals, and key warriors as a symbolic demonstration of their undeniable triumph.
After being captured, these prisoners would then be publicly displayed through the bustling streets, brought before the ruler himself, and ultimately subjected to his complete and unquestioned authority.
Just as Christ claimed victory over principalities and powers, we are empowered to claim victory over every thought that opposes God’s truth. The act of taking thoughts captive mirrors Christ’s act of leading captivity captive—it is a declaration that we no longer live under the dominion of sin, fear, or deception. Ephesians 4:8 says, “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men.”
What we don’t conquer in our frame of mind will never be overcome in any form of spiritual activity, including the place of prayer and fasting. The biblical principle of taking every thought captive, as described in 2 Corinthians 10:5, carries significant weight, as it is a potent military metaphor deeply rooted in ancient warfare strategies and techniques.
This scripture offers a useful insight into the concept of taking every thought captive, as it depicts Christ’s ultimate victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Just as Christ, in His triumph, took captive the spiritual forces that once held humanity in bondage, we are called to exercise a similar authority over our thought life.
When Christ ascended, He demonstrated total dominion over His enemies by "leading captivity captive." This imagery of a victorious procession mirrors the ancient Roman practice of parading defeated enemies in chains to showcase victory.
In the same way, we are called to enforce this victory in our personal battles, particularly in the arena of the mind. Negative, harmful, and ungodly thoughts must be taken captive and subjected to Christ’s authority, symbolizing our triumph over the schemes of the Enemy.
To take thoughts captive, we must use the standard of Christ’s mind to evaluate them. Philippians 4:8 gives a clear guideline for this process: thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy are consistent with the mind of Christ.
Anything outside these parameters must be captured and subjected to His authority. Our thoughts should uplift, inspire, and transform not only our lives, but also the lives of those around us.