Taking Thoughts Captive part 5 – Imagine That!

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God – 2 Corinthians 10:5a

Before we come to the focal “b” portion of 2 Corinthians 10:5 (coming up in part 6) let’s pause to bring clarity to some of part “a”. The Apostle Paul was primarily writing here in concern of defending the Gospel against systems of worldly philosophy that he had been encountering.

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Yet, what was made evident to me (and thus the overall purpose for the series) was that these systems were not only external in the world but also internal in each of us in various degrees and levels. These internal areas of pride, self-reliance, and vain self-confidence open doors for cares, fears, and frustrations that affect our walk, how we see ourselves, how we resolve conflicts with others, and ultimately our faith. Concerning any faith-hindering way of thinking, we need to KNOW that we can “cast them down”. This “casting down” is given in the same sense as rising up to “overthrow” a evil government or a stronghold as in part 4 (Other translations give “throw down”, “bring down”, or “pull down” but the same idea).

The KJV translates this phrase as “Casting down imaginations”. Yet imagination, in general,  is not the enemy. Its direction is. Remember that our faith is dependent on an active imagination. We have to “see it” to “be it”.  The question is when we imagine what are we giving “image” to manifest in our lives? The word translated as imaginations is the Greek word “logismos” (of where we get our word “logic”. NOW this makes sense, right?). So this word could also be rendered as reckoning, figuring, or reasoning and therefore, in our context, is a process of thought, or a philosophy that opposes God. Let’s continue to see ourselves as the overcomer, fervently imagine all goals coming to pass, and bring down any mindset or highly exalted opinions within us and outside of us that does not line up. This directly affects the peace that we experience and the kingdom goals that manifest.

Oh my great and merciful Father, with thanksgiving and honor in my heart and on my lips, I praise you with my whole heart. I thank you for Yahshua (Jesus) through whom you brought the covenant of forgiving and empowering grace. Thank you for drawing me and empowering me with a mind to deeply consider Your words and to “cast down” my own ways of thinking that are contrary. You are ever so patient with me and Your love knows no bounds. Your goodness continually brings me to change and these beautiful changes are seen in every area in my life. I understand that I may not find all of the specific political terms or topics of the day by name in the written text, but without question You are speaking through Your word about all of them and much more. I gladly open my mind to Your ways and my heart to Your thoughts to receive Your directions, corrections, and guidance in every opinion that I have and as I meditate on your word, more and more, boldness in spirit comes up in me to stand against areas of wrong thinking that I may still hold onto. In the name of Yahshua (Jesus) I pray and stand eternally grateful.

In the name of Yahshua (Jesus), I (the spirit me) call my mind to order. You are kept in perfect peace and you stay fixed on the word of God. The word is life to you and health to our whole being. You refuse anything that speaks otherwise. Every opinion that you have must submit to and align with the word of God. All pride, arrogance, self-reliance, and vain self-confidence dies daily as a result of the cleansing presence of the Spirit of God. You will stay not only in but under the influence of the word and remain open for His Sprit to have free course in our life. Fear, you are far from me. Worry, you are far from me. Distress, I give you no place in my life. I am well spirit, soul, and body.

Proverbs 23:7; Isaiah 26:3; Colossians 2:8; 

The full "Taking Thoughts Captive" series