Taking Thoughts Captive During Temptation | practical tips to respond to temptation

In last weeks post, I introduced a new mini series where I wanted to dive into how we can take our thoughts captive in different situations or struggles, and in the first post, we talked about taking thoughts captive about our identity. Our identity is the core of who we are, and if we have that wrong, then the rest of our live will be out of sync with who the Lord call us to be. We also remembered the importance of our minds and what thoughts we allow to stay, because our thoughts influence what we say and do, which influences who we become.

Today, I want to talk specifically about how we can take our thoughts captive when we're facing temptation. This can and does include sexual temptation, but it also includes when we're feeling tempted to sin in any way - by gossipping, speaking unkindly, disobeying our parents, or truly any other sin. I feel like people talk a lot about not sinning and why we shouldn't sin, but rarely about how not to sin, and that's a really important missing piece. As Christ followers, we have to be training ourselves to resist sin and the devil, but we can't do that without any encouragement or guidance. I absolutely am not an expert, but I want to share what the Lord has taught and convicted me about, in hopes that it helps you!

Of course, the general idea of taking our thoughts captive is very similar in any context. When you first recognize a tempting thought, whether that be lustful, or just the idea of sinning enters your mind, you have to recognize it. Stop the thought right where it's at so that you don't allow yourself to dwell on thoughts that could potentially lead you to sin. Give it to God, and say, "Lord, a tempting thought came into my mind, and my flesh wants to [specifically call out the sin]. I want to glorify You in everything I do, and I need Your help to resist temptation."

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, prayer is powerful. Especially in times of temptation, we need to rely on the Lord for strength, and we tap into that through prayer. Confess to God what you're struggling with and maybe where you've fallen short, and use that prayer as the beginning of your refocusing and godly response to temptation.

Then, we need Scripture. We need Scripture to remind us of the life God calls us to live, empower us with the promises God has given us about His help, and to guide our prayers as we stand ground against the enemy's attacks or our fleshly desires. The Word of God is our tool, and we should use it to fill our mind with truthful, holy thoughts all the time, but especially when we're fighting temptation. There are so many ways that my Bible has helped me to resist sin, from actually teaching me how to live in a holy way, strategies to practice, and encouraging me with who God is, His grace, and His support in every struggle. I am so thankful for His Word, and it truly teaches me what abundant life looks like. If you're feeling like sin has a hold on you, and you can't escape it, I'd challenge you to seek Scripture diligently and constantly. Let God's Word guide you and strengthen you, and I wholeheartedly believe that you will learn so much and find true freedom.

Some verses that have encouraged me in this struggle against sin are:

"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me....What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!..Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." - Romans 7:21, 24-25, 8:1-2

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

"'In your anger, do not sin'": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." - Ephesians 4:25-27

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry," - James 1:19

"Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted." - Hebrews 2:18

There are so many more, like Hebrews 4:15-16, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Psalms 51:10, and even more. The Bible has an abundance of encouragement and guidance on what sin is, how to battle it, and how we are no longer identified by our sin if we truly love and follow Jesus. I've noticed the most growth and fruit in my life when I am in the Word as much as possible throughout the day, planting these truths in my mind.

Ultimately though, we sometimes have to take additional steps besides prayer and knowing Scripture to resist temptation of any kind, but especially sexual temptation. The wisest step may be to remove ourselves completely from the temptation.

If you're with a group of friends who is gossiping and you're tempted to join in, you may need to step away from that conversation. If there's a movie, image, or conversation that is putting lustful thoughts in your brain, then you need to get up and replace those thoughts with something holy and productive. If you're tempted to speak unkindly, maybe you need to remove yourself from that situation and practice forgiveness and gentleness. Whatever that looks like, the idea is that you have to recognize the temptation and replace it with something that honors the Lord, which could look like Scripture and a new environment.

What we surround ourselves with and allow to stay in our mind will greatly impact who we become, and so we have to be careful about not getting too close to the fire. It takes immense self control to practice, but instead of allowing your mind to be consumed with the thought of sin or potential to make an unholy, unkind decision, replace those thoughts with what it looks like to glorify God.

If you're wanting to live in a righteous and God honoring way, how you respond in the midst of temptation is one of the most important decisions. We have to take captive our thoughts, recognizing the temptation, bringing it to the Lord in prayer, meditating on Scripture, and then replacing the temptation with a holier environment.

What has the Lord taught you about how you can and should respond to tempation in a godly way? Let me know in the comments below, and I'd love to learn from you, too!