What would Jesus want me to do?

2 Corinthian 10:5

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.

When Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian church, he was defending his ministry against those who questioned his authority. He was clear that he could not use human plans and methods to overcome such slandering words against him. Instead he needed to depend on God's mighty weapons to demolish the Devil's stronghold. In the end, it was and still is a spiritual battle for the souls that the Devil wants to blind from knowing the love of God.

Therefore, Paul encourages us to use spiritual weapons with the help of the Holy Spirit to fight these battles. The weapons available to us include prayer, faith, hope, love, God's word. Without these, we have no way to meet the battles, let alone triumph over them.

Ps Zane Anderson, the speaker of my church's annual retreat two weeks ago, emphasized that when we next pray for someone, we must ask God as to what and how we should pray for that person. This makes effective prayers as we are then praying according to His plan. After all, it is spiritual warfare.

Verse 5 tells us the very important decision on our part to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

This, I believe, is the KEY to our daily victory, mentally, physically and spiritually, over the fiery darts of the Devil.

The psalmist wisely asked to turn his eyes away from worthless things; preserve his life according to God's word. (Psalm 119:37) Paul was merely echoing what this psalm exalts - that we must make every thought of our obedient to Christ.

May I suggest for us to practice this instruction daily, by asking our self this question whenever we have to make a decision, whenever we pray ..."What would Jesus want me to do?" This act is the beginning of taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Him.

God bless.

Steven