Bringing Every Thought Captive To Christ

2 Corinthians 10:5
"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."

"And bringing into captivity ... - The figure here is evidently taken from military conquests. The idea is, that all the strongholds of paganism, and pride, and sin would be demolished; and that when this was done, like throwing down the walls of a city or making a breach, all the plans and purposes of the soul, the reason, the imagination, and all the powers of the mind would be subdued or led in triumph by the gospel, like the inhabitants of a captured city. Christ was the great Captain in this warfare. In his name the battle was waged, and by his power the victory was won. The captives were made for him and under his authority; and all were to be subject to his control. Every power of thought in the pagan world; all the systems of philosophy and all forms of opinion among people; all the purposes of the soul; all the powers of reason, memory, judgment, fancy in an individual, were all to come under the laws of Christ, All doctrines were to be in accordance with his will; philosophy should no longer control them, but they should be subject to the will of Christ. All the plans of life should be controlled by the will of Christ, and formed and executed under his control - as captives are led by a conqueror. All the emotions and feelings of the heart should be controlled by him, and led by him as a captive is led by a victor. The sense is, that it was the aim and purpose of Paul to accomplish this, and that it would certainly be done. The strongholds of philosophy, paganism, and sin should be demolished, and all the opinions, plans, and purposes of the world should become subject to the all-conquering Redeemer." ....Barnes Notes On The Bible

Really?

You mean Paul was describing himself and his fellow apostles as "Thought Police" and was ready to drag behind him the unwilling victims of a conquest, to be humiliated as he enters triumphantly through the gates of the eternal city?

Why would Jesus want such an illustration to be used? He came to "set the prisoner free" to "proclaim liberty for the captives". When he rose from the grave, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Verse 1 sets some background... "By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you--I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away!"  Whoever heard of a Roman General being described as meek, or gentle?

Verse 3 also sheds some light: "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does."  The Christian War, the spiritual war, is not a war waged against others. It is a matter of walking the extra mile, turning the other cheek, submitting one to another, being last instead of first, least instead of most, the servant of all. Why?  Because the kingdom of God is a different kind of kingdom. It is not intended to be expanded by the sword, or threats against infidels and heretics. It gains ground by the laying down of our lives; not the demolition or subjugation of other peoples.

Then what did Paul mean in verse 5 ?

Maybe this....  he is bringing his own thoughts captive to Christ. He isn't waging war like the world: One look at the backstabbing, self-promoting world of politics (which often creeps into the church) should convince anyone that the world's ways of promoting doctrine are not Christ's way.

If it is true that as Christians, we make Jesus our Lord, why do we want Him to be Lord of our Lives, while we concurrently wish ourselves to be lord of everyone elses' life? Ordering others, telling them how to think, insisting on their demonstrated obedience to our interpretation of scripture....?

How much further the kingdom of God would really expand if we as Christians willingly sought to bring our own thoughts captive to Christ?

Spirit of eternal love,

Guide me, or I blindly rove;

Set my heart on things above,

Draw me after thee.

Earthly things are paltry show,

Phantom charms, they come and go;

Give me constantly to know

Fellowship with thee.

Come, O Spirit, take control

Where the fires of passion roll;

Let the yearnings of my soul

Center all in thee.

Call into thy fold of peace

Thoughts that seek forbidden ways;

Calm and order all my days,

Hide my life in thee.

Thus supported, even I,

Knowing thee forever nigh,

Shall attain that deepest joy,

Living unto thee.

No distracting thoughts within,

No surviving hidden sin,

Thus shall Heaven indeed begin

Here and now in me.

                    Albert Orsborn