Monday Meditation: Make It Obey

 

It all started with one single thought.

God's Curse

(c.1896-1902)

James Tissot

(1836-1902)

French painter

Image courtesy/The Jewish Museum

"...(we) bring into captivity every thought to (make it) obey the Messiah."
(2 Corinthians 10:5)

As we patrol each day through this escalating conflict called life, 
we are vulnerable-susceptible to the temptations all around us.
Though we have the mind of Messiah and have been made new
in Him, our flesh remains in constant jeopardy from the
unceasing barrage against us.

Every day, we are overtly and subtly bombarded by thoughts
and images from the world. They do their best to infest our minds
 and violate our inner being, enticing us to behave in ways
 contrary to who we are in Messiah.

Against such attacks, our only hope is to bring "into captivity every thought 
to (make it) obey the Messiah."  We cannot allow our thoughts to re-enslave us,
but instead we must turn the tables and take control of our minds. We have
to remember that sin and participation in the flesh begin with entertaining-
and then embracing-the thoughts that lead to sin.

When we take every thought captive, not allowing ourselves to dwell on
the memories of our former ways, we will not yield again to the yearnings
of the flesh.  But not only must we take each thought captive, we must also,
"(make it) obey the Messiah."

This is a spiritual act of warfare.  We capture our thoughts by enslaving our
 minds to the Spirit.  Then, as we remember who we truly are in Messiah and focus
  on His righteous ways, we are able to force each sinful notion into submission.

When the thoughts of the world begin to infiltrate our ranks, what will be 
our response? Will we befriend them and set them free, so that they can rally
to terrorize us another day?  Or will we take every single thought captive,
and by the Spirit,  "(make it) obey?"

Abba, Father, teach me how to effectively take every thought captive and
make it obey the Messiah. Give me the self-control and self-awareness to know
what is happening in my mind and be able to submit it fully to You.

I praise You, Adonai, for You alone are the captor of men's minds and the
deliverer of men's souls. Reveal to me my hidden temptations, Lord, that
I may draw them out into the open and deal with them once and for all.

Thank You, Abba, for maturing me and leading me to walk
 victoriously in Your freedom...

"Make It Obey"
An excerpt from the
 Messianic Mo'adiym Devotional
By Kevin Geoffrey
Perfect Word Ministries
2007 Perfect Word Publishing