Casting Down Imaginations

Paul talked about Casting Down Imaginations in 2 Corinthians 10, verse 5.

2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Our spiritual weapons are for casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Both of these areas deal with the mind. Our battle against the devil takes place right between our ears. AND, we need to think of the “knowledge of God” as our relationship or closeness to God. That’s what we are fighting for!

Imaginations: translated from logismos, (log-is-mos’), a Greek word that means; Computation, logical reasoning – imagination, thought.

There are only two times the word “imaginations” is used in the New Testament (Rom 1:21 and this verse).

The J. B. Phillips translation, uses “speculations” here, and the NKJV says, “arguments”

The word “imagination” is used once (Lk 1:51). And the word “imagine” is used once (Acts 4:25).

All of these references to the imagination are negative. We must realize that a positive imagination is what the Bible calls hope, or to see.

High thing: from hypsoma (hoop’-so-mah) from (hoop-so’-o); an elevated place or thing, barrier, exalted, lifted up.

Captivity: means to make captive, lead away captive, bring into captivity.

Let’s look at Second Corinthians 10:5 from the Weymouth translation.

2Cor 10:5 (Weymouth) For we overthrow arrogant ‘reckonings,’ and every stronghold that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every thought as if into slavery—into subjection to Christ;

The mind is the battlefield where thoughts and reasoning, contrary to God’s Word, are to be captured and submitted to Christ, our Commander. Just like enemy soldiers are captured in a physical war, so evil thoughts must become P.O.W.s — taken captive and made to submit to Christ.

Now, just how is it, that you cast down arrogant speculations, logical reasonings, and negative thoughts?

How do you make a thought obey your Commander-in-Chief?

Don’t try to chase the thought away, with another thought. Thoughts have to be overpowered with spoken words, especially in spiritual battle.

Words of faith in your delegated authority over the devil! That’s what Paul meant when he said, “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

That word “Christ” being the anointed one within you, as opposed to being Jesus’ last name.

When you use the name (authority & character) of Jesus, the devil will flee!

Proclamation:

I cast down any reasoning thought that rises up against my relationship with the Holy Spirit and what I know about God. I take captive every thought and subject it to the obedience of Christ. When I recognize a thought that is not aligned with God’s will, I capture (bind it up) and subject it to what the Bible says about God’s anointing and plan for my life.

My friend, it is my prayer that you get this into your heart. Protect your relationship with the Father and Holy Spirit.

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond