2 Corinthians 10:3-6
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Purity is not something that just happens while we lazily wait for it. It requires an active desire for it, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to attain it. In short, it requires a battle. Paul uses battle imagery in describing how we have to live in the spirit: "the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (verse 4). In the battle for purity it is especially helpful to meditate on the phrase, "take every thought captive to obey Christ" (verse 5). Note that it is "every thought", not just some thoughts, or some of the time. We need a constant alertness to the Lord, that constantly checks the appropriateness of our thoughts. So often we get in trouble when we "let our guard down", and entertain thoughts that in retrospect were a recipe for disaster. The goal of our thinking should be "to obey Christ", in other words to focus on what strengthens us spiritually versus a simple-minded desire for entertainment.
Lord, may You rule over my thoughts as I fight for purity.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Purity is not something that just happens while we lazily wait for it. It requires an active desire for it, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to attain it. In short, it requires a battle. Paul uses battle imagery in describing how we have to live in the spirit: "the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (verse 4). In the battle for purity it is especially helpful to meditate on the phrase, "take every thought captive to obey Christ" (verse 5). Note that it is "every thought", not just some thoughts, or some of the time. We need a constant alertness to the Lord, that constantly checks the appropriateness of our thoughts. So often we get in trouble when we "let our guard down", and entertain thoughts that in retrospect were a recipe for disaster. The goal of our thinking should be "to obey Christ", in other words to focus on what strengthens us spiritually versus a simple-minded desire for entertainment.
Lord, may You rule over my thoughts as I fight for purity.