“In this battle of the mind don’t ever think, I’m all alone. You are not out there by yourself practicing the power of positive thinking. This isn’t you sitting by yourself in an ice bath practicing mind control. . . . In the battle for your mind, you should never be alone.”- Kyle Idleman
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”- 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Kyle Idleman concludes Chapter 9 of Every Thought Captive as he exhorts you to recognize that, in this battle of the mind, you are never alone. Most significantly, Kyle notes, in 2 Corinthians 10:5 the apostle Paul uses the word we. Rather than I or you. Because this battle of the mind is a team operation.
Certainly, you engage in taking your thoughts captive. But, Pastor Idleman underscores, you to it through the power of the Holy Spirit. For Jesus called the Holy Spirit our Helper. And one of the ways the Spirit helps us involves guarding our thoughts. As Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:26 (NIV)”
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.”
In addition, Kyle explains, the Holy Spirit:
- brings supernatural awareness to our thoughts.
- helps us remember Bible verses, apply them and teach us how to apply them to our lives.
- stands with us in this struggle.
- teaches, reminds, and strengthens us.
Furthermore, along with the Holy Spirit, we also have the saints. Or as Kyle refers to them, ‘squad support.’ As Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) reads: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Above all, Pastor Idleman encourages, something happens when we build each other up. In fact, Kyle’s convinced that the prayers of others at the right time possess the power to break strongholds we cannot break ourselves.
In conclusion, Kyle explains:
“This is the power of taking our thoughts captive. It’s not just about controlling our thoughts; it’s about allowing God to transform our minds. . . bringing every thought under the lordship of Christ.”
Today’s question: When do you feel alone in this battle of the mind? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Subconscious assumptions = perspective”