The Offense of the Cross

“Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity, every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV

We wonder why our life is what it is. We ask ourselves how could it have become this? We commiserate with others because Satan is beating us down again and again.

Many people jump on every bandwagon that comes their way and think the next new Christian book has the answer, the next new Christian fad is THE formula for success. Many find themselves “tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14) in hopes of turning their lives around.

Being a victim and following every idea in the world except God’s is not the answer and it is not what God has for His children.

So, how did we get here? Our life goes in the direction of our thoughts. It as been so since the beginning.

God gifted this world to Adam–to mankind–and he handed it over to Satan with a single solitary action. That action started long before he took the bite of that fruit. We aren’t told his thoughts, but every action begins with a thought and we do hear Eve’s thoughts…so, let’s look at her and see where this all began. When the serpent began his temptation, Eve started thinking. Hmm, it was good to look at…it could make us wise…then thought became action and before they realized it, she and her husband had given up possession and dominion of this earth to the enemy and begun the cycle of death. It all started with a thought. (Genesis 3:6)

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19

So, we see that Satan is now the prince of this world (Ephesians 2:2, John 14:30) and this world programs us to think the way it thinks. It’s thoughts are fleshly, self-centered and prideful. Carnal-minded thoughts lead to death—spiritually, physically, mentally, and are in direct conflict with God. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7 KJV)

But, we can control our thoughts. We can bring them under the submission of Jesus Christ. We can choose what we think on, what we dwell on, and what we put into our minds.

This is why holiness is important. It cannot earn us salvation, but it can protect our minds against the programming of death that this world so desperately wants us to experience. Every single day, there are hundreds, thousands, millions of opportunity to feed into the thoughts of this world. From what we watch, what we read, what we hear…From others and from ourselves. What goes in, WILL come out. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 KJV

Our battle is with the thoughts that dominate our mind and our life. If we want a different life, we need to think different thoughts. If we want different thoughts, we need to feed our mind different food.

What should we think on? “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 KJV

What is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, worthy of praise? God, His Son, His Holy Spirit. The Bible that He has given us. Everything that is in line with His Word. That is what we should think on.

If you think on sinful, ungodly things, you are being led by the flesh and, in so many forms, death is inevitable.

If you think on Godly, Christ-like things, you are being led by the Spirit and you will have life more abundantly.

Don’t allow the flesh to control your thoughts. Bring them into captivity and make them obey Christ.

“And be not be conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 KJV