Overcoming Intrusive Thoughts

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5

The enemy will do anything to distract you from the truth of God’s word. He does not what you to trust God.

False thoughts will enter our minds about the character of God, but we must remember what the Bible says about God and evaluate who the thought is coming from: ourselves, the enemy, or God.

We overcome these lies by submitting them to Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. And then once we have given up the lies we can think on good things! Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

It is crucial to be in God’s word so that you will have a ready argument to rebut the lies of the enemy. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

Notice that in 1 Peter 3:15 that it describes the Lord as “holy” so any thought that is “unholy” is not from the Lord, for the Lord cannot be near sin.

The enemy shames. The Lord convicts.

Shame deals with identity. Conviction deals with action. Since our identity is rooted firmly in Christ Jesus, shame is the devil’s work. Conviction works in our heart as a refinement process: the Holy Spirit uses this to allow the person to realize the need to change his/her actions or thoughts. This is vital to remember so that when thoughts come we will not be trapped in doubts of our identity in Christ.

Paul is teaching that you should have a defense ready for your faith when other people oppose you, and you can apply this message to yourself too. There are many battles within our minds. The same truth needs to be exercised in our own thoughts. When addressing others with gentleness and respect, we should be kind to ourselves and remind ourselves of what is true in a non-condemning way when intrusive thoughts enter our minds.