Taking thoughts captive

Walking in the Spirit means that we have to be clear with ourselves what the truth is. That can be a challenge, as we were born into sin, we're bent towards serving ourself and our own best interest. And yet that's not what was originally planned for us. Even on our best days, our limits keep us from really understanding God's plan. Our limits often keep us tied to our failures and color our perspective with darkness. It is releasing our thoughts, understandings and self servitude that we become more available to be filled with truth. It's a daily decision that takes effort. With practice, we can begin to see the benefits of the exchange of our worthlessness for His eternal goodness.

That makes me think of a statement of affirmation that I sometimes give to myself, based on Phil. 1:6 and 2:13.

"I believe God. I believe He is working in me no matter what I may feel or how the situation may look. He has begun a good work in me, and He will bring it to full completion."

When I'm questioning His ways, eventually, I stop those thoughts and realize His truth. When I think that the experiences of my life are too painful, I'm arrested in my hopelessness to remember the truth of His word.

Realizing truth means both passive and active responses. The work of surrender is up to me. The work of perfection is up to Him. That's the entire point of having the Holy Spirit. If it were all up to me, Jesus never would've sent the Holy Spirit. I'm not alone in this - but I do have responsibility. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that I take authority over truths in my life that don't line up with the Word of God. I can choose to eliminate everything that is self serving from my thoughts because of the partnership of the Holy Spirit, who is in my life to complete the process that began when I realized that my life was purchased by the blood of Jesus and accepted that truth for my future.