Captive Thoughts

* Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.*

ARE there any tyrants more harassing than our own thoughts? Control of deeds and words seems a small thing in comparison; but have we not been apt to fancy that we really can’t help’ our thoughts? Instead of our dominating them, they have dominated us; and we have not expected, nor even thought it possible, to be set free from the manifold tyranny of vain thoughts, and still less of wandering thoughts. Yet, all the time, here has been God’s word about this hopeless, helpless matter, only where has been our faith? It is very strong language Cor. X. 5.

Ps.cxix. 1x3.
Jcr. iv. 14.

Luke ^L v%»

Matt. xvi. 9,
zi.

Heb. xi. 13.
Gal. iii. X4,
Heb. xi. 33.

a Cor. X. 6.

Prov. xxiv.9.
Amos iv. 13.

Jer. iv. 17.

Rev. iii. 30.
Luke xii. 36.

ROYAL BOUNTY.

till then, the promise and the privilege became ours not only in potentiality but in actuality. Now, how is it that we do not yet understand, and apply the same principle to every promise or privilege which as yet we see only afar off? It is the old way and the only way: * Who through faith... obtained promises.’ It is a solemn thought that the alternative of * the obedience of Christ ’ is disobedience. Thoughts that are not brought into the one are in the other; for * the thought of foolishness is sin,* nothing less or lighter; and when the Holy Spirit ’ declareth unto man what is his thought,’ unsuspected sin and unrecognised guilt come terribly to light. But ‘how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?’ The Conqueror, the always triumphing Saviour, stands at the door and knocks; shall we not * open unto Him immediately and now cast down the reasonings which hinder His present triumph, and yield up to Him who alone can order them’ the unruly will and affections, and deliver into His victorious hands the unmanageable thought-garrison (reserving no private slaves, who would quickly again become our masters), and then let Him dwell in our hearts by faith as absolute Captain of our salvation? Then He will garrison our hearts with the peace of God which passeth all understanding.

Let every thought

Be captive brought, Lord Jesus Christ, to Thine own sweet obedience!

That I may know,

In ebbless flow. The perfect peace of full and pure allegiance.

Eph, iii. 17.
Heb. ii. xa

Phil. iv. 7.

X Chron.
xxix. 18.

Gen. vi. 5.

Rem. iii. 24.

ROYAL BOUNTY.