II Corinthians 10:5 tells us that “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.” This is all in the context of spiritual warfare – fighting against the deception of Satan and walking in complete obedience to Christ.
But that “taking thoughts captive” thing – that’s a tricky one… See, there are some thoughts that just present themselves as obvious enemies. For example, if your mind begins to wander down paths of pornography, or adultery, or murder – well, you can identify that thought as an enemy and taking it captive isn’t very complicated (it might be difficult, but it isn’t complicated).
The problem with some thoughts, is that they come to us posing as “friends,” but in reality, they are enemy spies. Subterfuge is their game, and deception is their aim. Those thoughts are difficult to take captive, because they are wearing the wrong uniform.
One of the biggest culprits of espionage in this deadly battle is fear. Fear shows up posing as a friend, but intends to destroy you, steal your peace, and make you disobedient.
“We should not let all those refugees in here! You know that’s how the Muslims are planning to take over America, right?”
“They have Ebola/Zika/Lassa/Dengue there?!?! OMG – You can’t GO there! You might die!”
“You want me to tutor inner-city kids? You know the crime rate in that city? I might get mugged.”
“I can’t take in foster children. They are pretty messed up and I don’t want my children to be influenced by them.”
“I would never send my children to public school. They teach evolution there and they support gay rights for students.”
Are these legitimate concerns? They may be. But the problem comes when we cease to express these concerns as problems that have solutions, and start to see them through the lens of fear. Fear exaggerates concerns and turns opportunities into impossibilities. Fear paralyzes and prevents progress. Fear confuses and twists realities, focusing on distractions and not on the goal.
Fear is wrong.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER, and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.” (2 Tim 1:7)
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (I John 4:8)
“Fear not, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Here is how fear poses as an ally – “A little fear is good. It keeps you from doing stupid things, like stepping out in front of a moving car.” No – fear doesn’t do that. Fear keeps you from stepping out – period. Not stepping in front of a moving car is a decision made in wisdom and understanding.
Or this – “You have been given a divine responsibility to protect your children from all harm and danger. To do anything otherwise would not only be foolish, but poor stewardship of that which has been entrusted to you.” This is spy-talk. That spy just made you forget who your Commanding Officer is, and that He is also the Commanding Officer of your children. Can you really protect your children from all harm and danger?? Really? And if you do think you can – do you really think you can do a better job than God?
Fear keeps us from obedience. It finds excuses for us to defy the orders of our Commanding Officer. In battle, that amounts to defection. Or even treason. And that is why we need to rip the hat off that spy, recognize it as an enemy, and arrest it. Make it a captive!
There are places for wisdom. There are also places for caution. But there is never a place for fear in the life of a Christ-follower. It’s incompatible. And do you know what the antidote for fear is? What is the antithesis? It is not peace, or calm, or even courage.
It is love.
We are not given a spirit of fear, but of love. Perfect love drives out fear. Love is the antidote. Love the stranger, love the alien, love the orphan, love the sick, love the poor, love those who think differently than you. Love.
In the face of potentially fearful circumstances and decisions, my favorite anthem (courtesy of For King and Country) is:
“Love like I’m not scared, give when it’s not fair, live life for Another, take time for a brother. Fight for the weak ones, speak out for freedom. Find faith in the battle. Stand tall, and above it all – Fix our eyes on You.”
That’s a war cry – telling the enemy spies that their ruse is up, we’re onto their ploy, and it’s game over!
Where is the enemy Fear posing as a friend in your life and stopping you from obeying orders? Take it captive. And march on!