Break The Will Not The Spirit
Have you ever seen a wild animal ‘tamed’? Or maybe see one in
their natural habitat that is being captured and then domesticated? This
is how we need to see and treat our thoughts and actions.
Scripture) 2 Corinthians 10:5
(NASB) We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised
up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every
thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
(TPT) We can demolish every deceptive
fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude
that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like
prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience
to the Anointed One.
Thought) Ok,
so “speculations” and “fantasies” are things people DO not they, the person
themselves. It is the actions and thoughts that are to be broken down and
challenged, debated, demolished. It is NOT the person themselves. Like,
breaking the will but not the spirit of a person. Changing the behavior and
attitude to line up with and match Christ. LOL We will never be perfect here on
earth, but we can constantly take each of these actions “captive” and make them
obey to the will of God via the Holy Spirit. It is all of the thoughts that we
have on a daily basis that go against God, against even “knowing” God. Being
too busy, getting distracted, running from, and plain ‘ol defiance/rebellion
against what we know deep in our inner being as being wrong and against God.
Application) “take each thought captive” “like a prisoner of war” we
are to “capture” which means not let it run amuck and wild without direction,
each thought. Well, how do I know when my “thoughts” are running away? For me,
it is when other parts of my body start to react and respond to what my head is
thinking. Uneasy, anxious, depressed, worried, fearful, lazy, negative
self-talk, cursing, clenching of fists or other body parts, eye twitching,
teeth gritting, jaw clenching, scowling, muscles tightening up… all the things
that are not connected to peace, joy, relaxing… How do we “capture” these
thoughts? Well, first of all by stopping and taking in a deep breath and
praying for the Holy Spirit to guide and direct in what needs to be done. Just
by asking for His help, that brings all of the swirling chaos to a dull hum. By
spending time with Jesus in God’s word is the only way to know, understand, and
be able to DO things like Jesus would do. Repeat or read the positive things
that the bible tells us to do. Post them all around, make notes, carry index
cards… anything to be able to access them quickly. Sometimes a physical thing
will trigger a memory thing. Then the scriptures we have memorized will come to
mind and be our comfort. THIS will help bring it all into obedience.
Response) Oh Papa, how quickly I seem to get caught in the
crazy cycle of my thoughts and worries. I then seem to freeze and get stuck,
not able to move, think, or do anything. This is not how You designed me to be!
I ask for Your forgiveness for not turning to You quicker, faster, or actually –
consistently. I keep trying to “solve” things on my own in my own ways. Will
You for give me? (Yes, My child, you are forgiven.) Thank You. Father, I ask
that You grant to me the ability to quickly notice when my thoughts need to be
taken captive. I ask that You then allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me
into the way and with the ability to bridal my thoughts and make them submit to
Truth. To Your will and ways that You have for me. Daddy – make me more like
Jesus in ALL areas of my life. With everyone around me. Oh! Ok, lol I hear You –
with ‘myself’ too. Your grace and mercy are a gift, help me to accept them for
myself too.
After watching that movie about wild mustangs, and how it takes time,
patience, consistency, and love to calm a horse. They broke the “will” to rebel
and be crazy, but they did it with dignity, patience, discipline. Not with
whips and chains, but with nudging and prodding with a stick and their words
and body language. To make them be obedient to the one in control. The one in
the center. What a picture I keep seeing in my mind of how we/I am to take
control of my thoughts. With guidance, direction, steadiness and gentleness.
Not being so hard on myself when I do mess up – but not allowing myself to
wallow in it, and get right back on track again. Consistency. Persistence. “Rinse
and Repeat” lol Papa, You always bring things to light in just the perfect way
for me to understand and remember! Thank You. I pray that all of these requests
are according to Your will. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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