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

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by A. W. Tozer:
"Let a man set his heart only on doing the will of God and he is instantly free. No one can hinder him."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Welcome Home, Holy Spirit!' (Ro. 8:9)
"But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Challenge of the Resurrection of Jesus'
"[Paul, continuing his address to the council of the city of Athens:] "God overlooked people's ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Mere Mortals?' (Ps. 8:5)
"[O Lord, our Lord what are mere mortals?] Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor."

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