DAY 8: WHERE DID THAT THOUGHT COME FROM?
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NKJV
“Every thought is leading your imagination toward one of two kingdoms. Discern the thought before you give it your agreement.” — Dr. Daniel LeBlanc
WHERE DID THAT THOUGHT COME FROM?
Last week we discovered the picture within us. Now we must learn to discern the kingdom behind the picture. There are only two spiritual kingdoms: the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. There is no neutral ground, because what we continually agree with moves us toward one kingdom or the other.
We see this from the beginning. God placed Adam and Eve in a garden filled with life, provision, fellowship, purpose, and dominion. Then the serpent entered and questioned God’s Word: “Has God indeed said…?” Genesis 3:1 NKJV. Satan introduced another thought and another picture, suggesting that God was withholding something good. The enemy did not force Adam and Eve to eat. He introduced a thought that challenged what God had said. That thought produced a picture, the picture influenced desire, and eventually they agreed with the wrong kingdom. Sin and death entered where God had introduced life and paradise. That same battle continues within our thoughts and imaginations. A thought may surface through a memory, emotion, wound, image, or someone’s words, but the greater question is, “Which kingdom does this thought agree with?”
Jesus revealed the contrast: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV. One kingdom moves toward life, truth, righteousness, faith, love, and freedom. The other moves toward deception, sin, fear, condemnation, bondage, and destruction. This does not mean every uncomfortable thought is from Satan or every pleasant thought is from God. God’s truth sometimes confronts and corrects us. Discernment is not based upon how a thought feels, but whether it agrees with God’s Word, His character, and His Kingdom.
This is why Paul instructed us to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV. Spiritual maturity and growth can be measured, in part, by our increasing ability to take every thought captive. The more quickly we recognize thoughts that contradict God and refuse them our agreement, the more we are learning to live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. A thought is not your master, temptation is not your identity, and a picture is not automatically your future. God has given you His Word, His Spirit, righteousness, and the power to choose what receives your agreement. When a thought enters your mind, ask, “Which kingdom does this agree with?” Then ask, “What picture will this produce if I continue thinking about it?” If it contradicts God, take it captive before it begins painting upon your imagination. If it agrees with God’s Word and character, receive the truth and allow the Holy Spirit to develop a God Imagination within you.
Here is the progression:
Thought → Discern the Kingdom → Choose → Agreement → Picture → Direction
The enemy may whisper, but he cannot make you agree. Fear may present a picture, but you do not have to keep looking at it. God has given you the ability to choose truth over deception, righteousness over sin, faith over fear, love over offense, freedom over bondage, and the God Imagination over the evil imagination. The more clearly we know the King, the easier it becomes to recognize His Kingdom. As we learn to take every thought captive, our minds become increasingly governed by the Holy Spirit, and the pictures within us begin to look more and more like Jesus.
Prayer
Father, thank You for bringing me into the Kingdom of Your Son. Holy Spirit, sharpen my discernment and teach me to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I refuse agreement with every thought that contradicts Your Word and character. I choose truth, righteousness, faith, love, freedom, life, and peace. Teach me to live increasingly under Your leadership. Amen.
Today’s God Imagination
I belong to the Kingdom of God. I am growing in spiritual maturity as I learn to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I discern which kingdom a thought agrees with before allowing it to paint upon my heart. I choose God’s truth, submit my thoughts to the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to shape my God Imagination.
