How do we Take Every Thought Captive to Christ?

[MarthaSo]

Hi everyone,

I need to do this at this stage in my life and as usual I googled how to with the word Catholic next to my query but nothing came up except a Protestant explanation that I started reading from the page Desiring God in which he says St. Paul wasn’t referring to our thoughts but in context was referring to the other people’s thoughts that he was addressing. Well this means it wasn’t even meant for us per se (even though I know we can still do it… but still) Is this accurate and is there any Catholic resource you can recommend I read that explains this? Or if someone can explain it here I’m just really needing help doing this at the moment and was curious as to how exactly do I take my thoughts captive to Christ and whether the Protestant explanation was accurate.
Thanks so much, God bless.

 

[PJH_74]

I’m honestly not really sure what the real thrust of you question is. It might help if you provide a link to what you are looking at. You are also talking about a huge set of theology when you say “Protestant”. Churches such the Anglicans and Lutherans have theology not too distant from basic Catholic theology.

That said, Paul’s letters are perhaps the most influential books of the New Testament, they comprise a large chunk of it. Basically these writings chronicle the development of the early church and see the conversion of what could best be described as a Jewish “Jesus Movement” into the Christian church we see today. The books are actually letters written to various developing Christian communities. So yes, in a sense they were not written “to us”. But you have to remember he is advising these communities and is basically explaining what he believes about Christian theology. Often these letters included a response to specific questions asked of him. I think it could be said that his letters form the theological basis for all subsequent Christian churches and he the first Christian Theologian. This is why they are included in the Bible. I think you’d best say these letters were written “for you”.

 

[MarthaSo]

Here is the link. I just would like to know how I’m to take my thoughts captive to Christ and if St. paul was referring to other people’s thoughts in the verse so it is two separate questions. Thank you

How Do I Take My Thoughts Captive?

Left to ourselves, we cannot discern or remove the flaws in our thoughts. But God’s word and the Holy Spirit can renew our minds.

www.desiringgod.org

 

[fide]

We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. (2 Cor 10:5-6)

This passage can be applied in many circumstances, to oneself or in “debate” or conversation with others, but the end is the same, since the vocation of all human beings is the same: all are called to holiness and to the perfection of holy charity. We are all called into eternal life in Christ, in whom the whole person (mind and body, heart and soul) is “in Christ”.

This holy state of being and remaining in Him does not occur in a moment! In Baptism we are given a new life in Him - but much of it is given “in potency”, and not active and mature in its fullness. For example in Baptism we are given the theological virtue of faith - but after Baptism we are free to act NOT in that faith, but however we may wish to act at the moment. Much of our thought and action, hopes and plans, ambitions and desires, much may have little or no connection with Christ at all! Much may still be “all about ME” - even after the miracle of Baptism.

If we want to grow in faith, and in the life in Christ, He will help us. But it may take years before we learn how often we fail Him and ourselves, in lives apart from Him. Growing in Him is like climbing a steep mountain. It requires perseverance, repentance and return, courage and humility, persistence and an ever-teachable, learning spirit within. He will help, if we will turn to Him - and learn how to remain in Him.

 

[MarthaSo]

How can I take thoughts captive to Christ? When I’m having a negative thought do i just switch it to positive until it forms a habit?
Could i translate the passage that way?

 

[TheLittleLady]

Do not let your thoughts just run away with you. Be the master of your thoughts. When you find them running down a path of despair, of outrage, of suspicion or vengeance or lust or hate, make a decision to stop thinking that way. Turn your thoughts to Christ.

Whatsoever things are good, just, true, virtuous, kind, loving, think on those things.

 

[MarthaSo]

Amen. Thank you! I just think it’s such a beautiful verse. It speaks of His majesty, His holiness…everything, I love it. Thank you LittleLady, God bless you