English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
In discussing our spiritual battle, Paul instructs us to capture every thought and submit all reasoning to Christ Jesus. Here are the apostle’s words: “We tear down arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ” «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).
The main idea in this portion of 2 Corinthians is that we are engaged in a spiritual battle. What precedes the instruction to capture every thought is crucial. In verse 3, Paul explains that although we live in the flesh, our warfare is not of the flesh. This means we do not depend on human cleverness or human-made strategies for victory. The flesh is ineffective against the devil’s schemes. In verse 4, Paul mentions the “strongholds” or “fortresses” that are demolished by God’s power. These strongholds refer to the philosophies, arguments, and “proud opinions” mentioned in verse 5.
Undoubtedly, there are numerous human thoughts that must be brought under control. Many ungodly philosophies keep people in bondage, and these spiritual “fortresses” must be torn down. The thought systems that oppose us are described as “arrogant obstacles” (NET), “lofty opinions” (ESV), and “sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing” (AMP) that hinder people from knowing God. In our time, these human thought systems include the theory of evolution, secular humanism, existentialism, various cults, the occult, and false religions.
False religions. How many people are held captive by the idea that they are the products of chance in a godless universe? How many spiritual prisoners labor under the requirements of Allah and await freedom in Christ? We must take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” «If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. », (John 8:36).
False religion and secular philosophy have created thinking that has imprisoned the minds of millions. It is a true spiritual battle: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” «in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. », (2 Corinthians 4:4). Any idea, opinion, or worldview that asserts that Christ is unnecessary is reflective of the devil’s pride. Such thoughts must be taken captive and made obedient to Christ. Those who know the truth must confront error with the weapon we’ve been given, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God «And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: », (Ephesians 6:17).
Our weapons in the spiritual battle are not carnal but mighty through God. As we are transformed by the renewing of our minds «And be not 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), we engage the batTitle against pretense and arrogant philosophy in the world. Trusting Christ and rightly dividing the Word of God «Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. », (2 Timothy 2:15), we take every thought captive, pull down the strongholds, and, by the grace of God, set the captives free.
