Filters

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…. 2Cor.10.4-5 (NKJV)

Everywhere we look in our daily lives, there are filters. In the car, the coffee maker, the dryer, the washing machine, and even within our own bodies. Coffee tastes better, appliances function better, and our bodies stay clean thanks to filters.

“Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” suggests a filter. To take captive means to trap, seize, control, secure, and conquer. To stop those ungodly thoughts Paul tells the Corinthian believers, and us, that we must destroy arguments and opinions raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive. Corinth’s multi-cultural multi-god environment was a threat to their faith in Christ and obedience to him. We could say our culture today threatens us the same way.

In another instance, the apostle Paul in Romans 12:2 admonishes believers not to conform to the systems of the world because our mind makes us unique among God’s creations and God has not left us and our minds defenseless. He has put into us filters; His Spirit and Word to seize thoughts standing against the knowledge of God.

Pray

Dear Lord, thank you for your Spirit in me and your word available to empower me filter thoughts that do not align with your will. Help me today and always to seize and take captive every lofty opinion raised against you. Amen