Spiritual Warfare: 'Taking Every Thought Captive'

God's Power for Our Battles — Friday, July 17, 2026

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ... 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 10:3-5 NIV

Today's Prayer

Lord, thank You for reminding me that this is war - mental war. Many thoughts pop into my mind that should be removed, discarded, rejected, and eliminated. Help me to have the willpower to do just that. Help me to reject them, remove them, abstain from them, and replace them with good thoughts and wholesome, godly thinking. And grant me the discernment to know when this is happening to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

10 Related Resources by Heartlight

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Devo: Today's Verse
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have..."
Spiritual Warfare
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, teacher of spiritual soldiers, Thank you for the example of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. If I must show boldness or be..."
2 Corinthians 10:5
Devo: Today's Verse
"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."
God’s Weapons Win Over Worldy Strongholds
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments."
See All 10 Related Resources about 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Illustration

Illustration of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV — For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ... 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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, July 17, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 1 Thessalonians 1:4
"Many persons want to know their election before they look to Christ, but they cannot learn it thus, it is only to be discovered by "looking unto..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Praise the Lord!'
"O Israel, praise the Lord! O ... praise the Lord! O ... praise the Lord! All you who fear the Lord, praise the Lord! The Lord be praised ... Praise..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Avoiding Error' (1 Th. 2:1-4)
"Dear Father, I pray that every ministry being done in your name in our time will be done in unselfish love for you and for people. Please defeat..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Knowing and Known' (Jn. 10:14-15)
"[Jesus continued,] "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my..."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare