Captive Thoughts and Humbled Hearts

Paul Told Us to Take Every Thought Captive—Even Pride.

Jul 02, 2025

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I’m Mark, and this space is for the wanderers, the worn out, and the ones still wrestling with God at 2 a.m. I don’t have all the answers, but I know the One who does—and I’m learning to trust Him more.

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“We destroy arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5

Where the Battle Really Starts

Before anything becomes an action, it starts as a thought. Every harsh word and bad decision—it all begins in the mind. That’s why Paul told us to “capture” our thoughts and bring them under Jesus’ control.

Paul wasn’t just talking about the thoughts we know are wrong. He was warning us about the ones we think are fine—like the ones fueled by pride.

Pride: The Quiet Enemy

Pride doesn’t always come crashing through the door. Sometimes it slips in through a crack.

You ace a test and think, “I’m smarter than everyone else in this class.”
You serve at church and secretly hope people noticed.
You post a Bible verse online, not to encourage, but to look holy.

Pride doesn’t always shout. It sneaks in during your best moments and takes credit for things God helped you or hides in the corners of your thoughts, pretending it belongs there.

And if you’re not careful, it’ll start shaping how you see the world—and how you see yourself.

Paul’s Wake-Up Call

Paul wasn’t a nobody before he met Jesus. He had a powerful education, a respected name, and a mission he believed in. But when Jesus stopped him on the road to Damascus, Paul realized his whole life was built on pride.

He later said:

“Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” – Philippians 3:7

He let go of the resume. He stopped clinging to titles and applause and instead he pointed everything back to Jesus.

That’s the kind of thinking we’re called to. It’s not about pretending you’re worthless. It’s about knowing that your worth doesn’t come from you. It comes from God.

Where Pride Hides

Here are some real-world examples of pride that often go unnoticed:

In Church: You hear a sermon and think, “I hope they are listening,” instead of asking what God is saying to you.
On Social Media: You share a “humble brag” about helping someone, but deep down, you want people to praise you.
In Arguments: You won’t apologize because you’d rather be right than be reconciled.
In Struggles: You avoid asking for prayer because you don’t want anyone to know you’re struggling.

Pride doesn’t always feel sinful. Sometimes it feels like strength. But real strength is admitting you need God—and others.

What Capturing a Thought Looks Like

So how do you actually capture a thought?

Let’s say you think: “I’m better than them. I would never do what they did.”

Stop. Recognize the pride in it. Then replace it with truth:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
And pray: “Lord, keep me humble. Remind me how much I’ve been forgiven.”

It’s like catching a lie and replacing it with a promise. You don’t let the thought live rent-free in your mind. You evict it and invite in truth.

Practical Steps for Humbling Your Mind

Start the Day in Prayer. Even a simple prayer like, “God, help me stay humble today,” opens your heart to His help.
Journal Your Thoughts. Writing out your proud moments can help you see patterns. Ask, “Why did I think that?” or “Who was I trying to impress?”
Celebrate Others. Compliment someone sincerely without comparing yourself.
Practice Listening. Let someone finish their thoughts without jumping in with your own opinion.
Ask God to Search You. Like David prayed:
“Search me, God, and know my heart… See if there is any offensive way in me.” – Psalm 139:23-24

Jesus: The Model of Humility

Jesus is King of Kings—but He didn’t act like a celebrity. He didn’t demand praise or flaunt His power. He washed dirty feet. He touched people no one else would go near. He let Himself be mocked, beaten, and killed—so we could be saved.

“He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.” – Philippians 2:8

If Jesus humbled Himself like that, we can too.

The Freedom in Surrender

Pride is exhausting. It keeps you performing. It makes you defensive. It tells you to hide your struggles and protect your image.

But when you surrender your thoughts—even the proud ones—you find peace. You stop fighting to look strong and start living in God’s strength.

You can breathe and let go of the pressure to prove yourself.

Conclusion

Taking every thought captive means not letting pride sit in the driver’s seat. It means asking, “Does this thought make much of me or much of Jesus?”

If it’s building you up in the wrong way, it’s time to capture it, hand it over to Christ, and replace it with truth.

You won’t get it perfect. None of us do. But each surrendered thought is a step closer to the heart of God.

Reflective Questions:

What kinds of thoughts make you feel superior to others?
Do you find it hard to admit when you’re wrong or need help?
How would your attitude change if you gave your pride to Jesus each morning?
Can you think of someone you need to encourage instead of compare yourself to?

Call to Repentance:
If you’ve been trying to earn your way into heaven, it’s time to stop striving and start surrendering. Today can be the day everything changes. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Don’t wait for a better moment. Turn from your sin, believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and receive the gift of eternal life. He is calling—respond to Him today.