2 Corinthians 10:5 Devotional

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.
-2 Corinthians 10:5

Did God really say you shouldn’t eat of that tree?

If you bow to me, I will make you the king of the nations…

God isn’t there… He doesn’t really care about you…

Do these statements sound familiar? When you face difficult times or hardships in your life, do you ever begin to wonder if God really cares? If He actually loves you? If He even exists?

Throughout the pages of the Bible, men and women have faced doubts and accusations from Satan – the enemy of God and His people. When we are weak or vulnerable, Satan sneaks in to remind us that we cannot trust God or His promises.

Adam and Eve faced Satan’s temptation in the Garden of Eden.
Jesus faced Satan’s false promises in the desert.
You and I face Satan’s accusations on a daily basis.

The apostle Paul surely knew of the accusations of Satan. In fact, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 that he was often plagued by a mysterious “thorn in his flesh” that constantly reminded him of his pain and struggle. When doubts of God’s goodness arose, Paul would remind himself of God’s promises and press forward in the truth of Jesus’s love. No argument or pretense could stand when God’s Truth became the lense by which Paul viewed them.

These experiences led Paul to write today’s verse, in which the apostle reminds the Corinthian believers that we have the power to take every temptation, doubt, and accusation captive and put them up against the power and truth of Jesus.

When we take God’s Word and place the promises and truth inside against our fears and doubts, they are demolished and abolished. In making our thoughts about Jesus instead of our problems, we prove that Jesus has truly become the Lord of our lives. When we live with this kind of Holy Spirit power, no doubt or temptation can overcome us in our lives!

Questions For Reflection on 2 Corinthians 10:5

#1 What is a doubt or fear that you feel creeping into your mind when you are tired, fearful, or vulnerable? Is that a promise of God from His Word, or a lie from the devil? How will you fight that thought in the power of God?

#2 Paul says to take every thought captive. What are some ways that you can actively seek to take captive the thoughts and accusations that seek to destroy your faith?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to know that You are true and the lies of the Enemy are false. There are so many times that I fall victim to believing the lies of Satan instead of the promises that are found in You and Your Word. I confess that often I don’t live in boldness and courage because I believe these thoughts. Help me to place my eyes and thoughts on You alone, so that when the evil thoughts arise I can demolish them through Your power and wisdom!