Day 6: Eliminate Stinking Thinking

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 

Devotional: 

One thing that will hold you back from growing in spiritual strength is something I call “stinking thinking.” We all have it. You’ve got stinking thinking. I’ve got stinking thinking. Stinking thinking is anything that pulls you down, takes you off track, and leads you to places you don’t want to go.

Here’s what the enemy knows: every destructive behavior begins in the mind. Before someone ruins their life, before a family is broken, before a decision is made that takes you far from God—it starts with a lie. A thought. I’d be better off over there. I’d be happier with them. This isn’t a big deal.

The battle always begins in the mind. The Apostle Paul lays it out in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 by explaining that we demolish strongholds by taking every thought captive. That word “stronghold” in the original Greek (ochuroma) means a prisoner held captive by deception—not by chains, not by bars, but by a lie.

Think about how many people are trapped by lies. Lies about themselves. Lies about their worth. Lies about God. God doesn’t love me. God let me down. I’m not good enough. I’ll never change.

Lies hold us back from living in the freedom God has for us. Paul says, you have to demolish those arguments. Every thought that doesn’t align with God’s truth has to be confronted.

So when a thought pops in your head—stop and confront it with God’s truth: 

• I’m overwhelmed. I can’t do this. What does God’s Word say? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
• I’m alone. No one cares about me. What does God’s Word say? “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer” (Psalm 18:2).
• I’m not good enough. I’ll never measure up. What does God’s Word say? “You are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

You take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. You eliminate the lie and you meditate on the truth. Because if you don’t take your thoughts captive, your thoughts will take you captive.

Reflection Questions:

1. What lies have you believed that have held you back?
2. How can you take your thoughts captive and align them with God’s Word?
3. What Scriptures can you hold onto this week to fight back against stinking thinking?

Prayer:

Lord, I refuse to be held captive by lies. Help me recognize and eliminate stinking thinking. Give me the strength to take every thought captive and make it obedient to your truth. Fill my mind with your Word so that I can live in the freedom you have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Recent Posts: