“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:3–5, ESV)
Listening and Understanding
Last week, I wrote a blog post titled, “Stop Shouting, Start Listening.” This week, I want to build on what I wrote.
It’s important to understand that when we are listening, we are doing more than listening. We are trying to understand. We are listening to this person because we want to understand why they believe what they believe and act the way they act. We are not just listening for listening sake. Our mind must be engaged.
Listening and Thinking
That why it’s important that we are doing more than just listening during these divisive and angry times. Yes, we need to be listening to what people have to say, but we also need to be thinking about what they are saying. Yes, we want to work hard at understanding why they believe what they believe, but we also need to be thinking about whether what they believe is true or false.
And this applies to everyone. When we are listening to our favorite TV channel, we still need to be thinking diligently about whether they are speaking the truth. When hear something from “the other” TV news station, we STILL need to think diligently about whether they are speaking the truth. Too easily, we embrace one idea and reject another without thinking, simply because it’s coming from a particular news station. This should not be.
Thinking Is Hard Work
I think we easily slide into these ruts of belief because thinking is hard work. It’s easier to continue believing something than changing your belief. It’s easier to embrace one news station’s opinion all the time, than to weigh everything you hear.
Think about how Paul describes thinking. He says that we must “take every thought captive to obey Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV). This is fairly violent language. We are told that we need to capture our thoughts—grab hold of them—and force them into submission to Jesus Christ. It’s a wrestling match. We’re wrestling with our thoughts and opinions, holding them on the ground, trying to get them to say “Uncle.” It’s hard work. It’s a lot easier to skip the wrestling match and allow our thoughts to run free. Yet, that is no good.
Think Hard and Deep About Both Sides
So, here’s the assignment for this week. Pick one of the many contentious issues going on in our culture: COVID-19 restrictions, Government Overreach, Black Lives Matter, Racism, Police Forces, the Economy, the Presidential Race, Abortion, etc… Pick one. Then, think hard and deep on both sides of the issue. Make sure you work hard to put yourself in the shoes of someone who disagrees with you—try to get in their head.
Then, take all of those thoughts—and there will be A LOT—and wrestle them into submission to Jesus Christ. Measure each of those thoughts against God’s Word. Don’t just flippantly do it. Set aside some time to think and write and reflect. Read various passages that apply. Talk to someone else about what you’re seeing and thinking. But the goal is to make sure that every thought is taken captive and obeying Christ. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit working in us to help us accomplish the task.