RR Taking Thoughts Captive Part 3 by Jerry Miller
Rabbi’s Reflections - Sunday, July 6, 2025
Shavuah Tov {{firstName}},
Taking Thoughts Captive Part 3
by Jerry Miller
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful through God for the tearing down of strongholds. We are tearing down false arguments and every high-minded thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah.
Recently I’ve been sharing on the principle of “taking (our) thoughts captive.” Sha’ul refers to this principle as he discusses the importance of combatting the devil’s lies with the truths of God’s word. Remember, God’s word is powerful to displace unbiblical thinking and build us up in His truth.
The enemy seeks to draw us into lies about God and about ourselves, targeting our minds to try to weaken our faith. Thus, it is good to form habits that can help us bring our minds under the influence of godly thinking.
In my own life, I have found that my focus first thing in the morning is crucial. When I awake, the first thing I do is to quietly offer praise to God, just giving Him thanks for who He is and His presence in my life. I thank Him that His mercies are “new every morning” as we can read in Lamentations 3:22-23. At this point of the morning, I honestly do not feel particularly “spiritual” but I remind myself of these truths to orient my thinking to what God says, rather than, what I might be feeling at the time. I am directing my thoughts toward the Lord and His goodness, taking charge of the focus of my thinking. Again, this is not necessarily what I feel the moment I get out of bed, but I have formed the habit of doing this. I refuse to be mentally passive and leave myself open to negative thoughts, worries or fears that the enemy tries to influence me with. By directing my thoughts on the Lord, even if initially there is little feeling involved, I am building a fortress wall, so to speak, for keeping out the enemy’s lies.
Once I have been awake for a few minutes and my mind is clearing from the “fog” of having been asleep, I begin what I call my “daily declarations.”
Here are the four steps of these daily declarations.
First, I begin by declaring my need for God, thanking the Holy Spirit for His presence and help. Daily we must humble our hearts before Him, opening the way for receiving the grace He promises to us. Secondly, I declare my dependence on the Lord. When I am consciously looking to the Lord and not to myself, my dependence frees me from striving to try to do it all myself. He alone is to be my strength and my source for everything good. Thirdly, I declare my gratitude to God. As I’ve shared before, gratitude is key to opening our hearts to the light of His wisdom. He is always worthy of my gratitude, so I choose to be thankful, regardless of how I feel. And finally, I declare my trust in God. I choose to trust, even when I might not understand things happening in my life. I choose trust even when I have unanswered questions. I trust Him in spite of any feelings of disappointment I may have. I trust Him for the simple reason that, He is totally trustworthy.
Sometimes I do these declarations quickly, and sometimes I may linger on particular areas that may be relevant at that time. The point is, I am getting my focus on the Lord, and when doing so, I experience His peace and presence. He is so gracious to respond as we seek Him. James (Jacob) tells us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (Jacob 4:8).
These are just a few practical keys to taking our thoughts captive. Remember, God is true to His word, and He will surely meet you as you look to Him daily.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun6-July 202510th of Tamuz, 5785
Nu 22:2-12Ez 1Neh 2Gal 1 (Lk 9:27-62)
Shavuah Tov {{firstName}},
Taking Thoughts Captive Part 3
by Jerry Miller
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful through God for the tearing down of strongholds. We are tearing down false arguments and every high-minded thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah.
Recently I’ve been sharing on the principle of “taking (our) thoughts captive.” Sha’ul refers to this principle as he discusses the importance of combatting the devil’s lies with the truths of God’s word. Remember, God’s word is powerful to displace unbiblical thinking and build us up in His truth.
The enemy seeks to draw us into lies about God and about ourselves, targeting our minds to try to weaken our faith. Thus, it is good to form habits that can help us bring our minds under the influence of godly thinking.
In my own life, I have found that my focus first thing in the morning is crucial. When I awake, the first thing I do is to quietly offer praise to God, just giving Him thanks for who He is and His presence in my life. I thank Him that His mercies are “new every morning” as we can read in Lamentations 3:22-23. At this point of the morning, I honestly do not feel particularly “spiritual” but I remind myself of these truths to orient my thinking to what God says, rather than, what I might be feeling at the time. I am directing my thoughts toward the Lord and His goodness, taking charge of the focus of my thinking. Again, this is not necessarily what I feel the moment I get out of bed, but I have formed the habit of doing this. I refuse to be mentally passive and leave myself open to negative thoughts, worries or fears that the enemy tries to influence me with. By directing my thoughts on the Lord, even if initially there is little feeling involved, I am building a fortress wall, so to speak, for keeping out the enemy’s lies.
Once I have been awake for a few minutes and my mind is clearing from the “fog” of having been asleep, I begin what I call my “daily declarations.”
Here are the four steps of these daily declarations.
First, I begin by declaring my need for God, thanking the Holy Spirit for His presence and help. Daily we must humble our hearts before Him, opening the way for receiving the grace He promises to us. Secondly, I declare my dependence on the Lord. When I am consciously looking to the Lord and not to myself, my dependence frees me from striving to try to do it all myself. He alone is to be my strength and my source for everything good. Thirdly, I declare my gratitude to God. As I’ve shared before, gratitude is key to opening our hearts to the light of His wisdom. He is always worthy of my gratitude, so I choose to be thankful, regardless of how I feel. And finally, I declare my trust in God. I choose to trust, even when I might not understand things happening in my life. I choose trust even when I have unanswered questions. I trust Him in spite of any feelings of disappointment I may have. I trust Him for the simple reason that, He is totally trustworthy.
Sometimes I do these declarations quickly, and sometimes I may linger on particular areas that may be relevant at that time. The point is, I am getting my focus on the Lord, and when doing so, I experience His peace and presence. He is so gracious to respond as we seek Him. James (Jacob) tells us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (Jacob 4:8).
These are just a few practical keys to taking our thoughts captive. Remember, God is true to His word, and He will surely meet you as you look to Him daily.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun6-July 202510th of Tamuz, 5785
Nu 22:2-12Ez 1Neh 2Gal 1 (Lk 9:27-62)
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