Friday, June 18, 2010

Part 6 ~ Chapter 40

I've enjoyed reading the whole book, but this chapter really excites me!

Practical application and a step-by-step process make things attainable and simple for me. That's exactly what this section of our study brings to the table. Are you ready to break free?

When I've heard this verse in Scripture in the past, "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5b), I have to be honest in saying that I only thought I knew what that meant.

I got the general gist, mind you, but there was still a part of me that stayed angry because I was still having the same thoughts that I "took captive to God." At one point, I even believed that there must be something wrong with me because I was still having the same thoughts and "God had not taken them away from me."

Side but important note here: God gave us all a soul (mind, will and emotions) so that we have the freedom to think, make decisions and feel as we please.

Then, I had a personal revelation. God was doing His part. I wasn't doing mine.

I was praying for God to take the thoughts away... help me not to think them anymore.

I wasn't taking them captive by coming to the same understanding God has of my sinful, idolatrous actions.

That's the aha moment for me today. It is not a matter of simply admitting my sin: It is a matter of agreeing with God, understanding His Word, and learning "to 'think the thought' as it relates to Christ and who we are in Him" (Beth Moore page 233-4). I do not have to stay in bondage because of my thoughts: I have the freedom to take my thoughts captive to Christ... the One who can deliver me from my own, raw thoughts!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! (sung on a high note as opposed to letting out a sigh... although it is a relief to hear the truth ; )

What is being revealed to you as you study these practical applications and truths? How did you answer the study questions?