The apostle Paul wrote, "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 ESV). The picture that Paul presents is one of wrestling wayward and destructive thoughts to the ground until they are held in submission. It is critical for us to guard our hearts and how we think, for our lives are "shaped by your thoughts" (Proverbs 4:23 GNT) and "everything [we] do flows from it" (NIV).

Unfortunately, this can be easier to say than to actually put into practice! In Every Thought Captive, bestselling author and pastor Kyle Idleman addresses this issue by providing some practical and biblical steps for identifying self-sabotaging thought patterns, breaking free of the cycle of unproductive thoughts, and actually taking thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ. What we think about shapes our attitudes, governs our emotions, determines our behavior, and ultimately defines our lives.

So, if we want to change our attitudes, emotions, behaviors or relationships, then we have to change the way we think.