“We demolish
arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of
God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2
Corinthians 10:5
I woke up Sunday
morning with this verse foremost in my thoughts. It’s time to delve deeper.
What are the reasons we hold things captive? There’s incarceration for criminal acts—punishment, really. There’s holding something or someone captive for ransom before they are freed. Maintaining rigid control through oppression is another way of keeping things captive. Denial is the prison guard of all guards.
But then, we will hold an injured bird captive until it heals. We will strap a child into a car seat. Holding something captive can be an expression of love.
So Paul isn’t talking about denial when he says take our thoughts captive. He isn’t talking about an arbitrary judgment that our thoughts are bad and should be squashed. That’s not demolition, that’s ignoring the inner voice, albeit, one that frequently lies.
Graphic imaginations cross my mind on a regular basis. Vivid images of the house burning down or of being in a terrible car accident. One pops into mind where I fall down the stairs although that particular gem is less frequent now I have someone sharing my home.
When I find myself immersed in these grim daydreams, I give my head a shake and think about something else. My entire being knows these fear filled ideas are not of God so it’s easy to catch on and dismiss them.
I just realized how much being alone for the last fifteen years has been a prison. To be kind, it’s understandable why. Not that I was ready or even willing to entertain the idea of becoming romantically involved with anyone…I am still not.
So God has brought companionship.
And with this, laughter.
Nothing chases away the things that set themselves up against the knowledge of God like laughter.
I had no idea.
What’s the old saying? You never know what you’re missing until you find it.
What are the reasons we hold things captive? There’s incarceration for criminal acts—punishment, really. There’s holding something or someone captive for ransom before they are freed. Maintaining rigid control through oppression is another way of keeping things captive. Denial is the prison guard of all guards.
But then, we will hold an injured bird captive until it heals. We will strap a child into a car seat. Holding something captive can be an expression of love.
So Paul isn’t talking about denial when he says take our thoughts captive. He isn’t talking about an arbitrary judgment that our thoughts are bad and should be squashed. That’s not demolition, that’s ignoring the inner voice, albeit, one that frequently lies.
Graphic imaginations cross my mind on a regular basis. Vivid images of the house burning down or of being in a terrible car accident. One pops into mind where I fall down the stairs although that particular gem is less frequent now I have someone sharing my home.
When I find myself immersed in these grim daydreams, I give my head a shake and think about something else. My entire being knows these fear filled ideas are not of God so it’s easy to catch on and dismiss them.
I just realized how much being alone for the last fifteen years has been a prison. To be kind, it’s understandable why. Not that I was ready or even willing to entertain the idea of becoming romantically involved with anyone…I am still not.
So God has brought companionship.
And with this, laughter.
Nothing chases away the things that set themselves up against the knowledge of God like laughter.
I had no idea.
What’s the old saying? You never know what you’re missing until you find it.
(A long pause as this sinks in.)
(Smile.) It’s a
morning for tears as overwhelming emotions of gratitude, and awe and wonder pour out from my heart.
Some of them are simply because of the profound amazement at how God put this all
in place…He even used Covid.
Mostly, there’s relief as my prison bars turn to dust. I am not alone any more. Neither is my friend.
God is good. AMEN!
Mostly, there’s relief as my prison bars turn to dust. I am not alone any more. Neither is my friend.
God is good. AMEN!
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