Casting Down Imaginations
By Arthur J Licursi
Casting down imaginations (Gk., logismo, reasonings), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of (Gk., hypakoe, submission to) Christ; (2 Cor 10:5)
I've written an entire study series on this subject already and I stand by it, but I want to again take another shot at it, in a brief form. The above verse came to me again just last night as I lay in bed "reasoning" certain trying situations in my life. I fell for the illusion that I could be in control. I found no rest in my soul until I simply turned my heart and mind to the Lord, simply saying "I'm so thankful for your unconditional love and care for me; I trust you" immediately there was rest and quiet sleep ensued.
Most of us should recognize that for the regenerated Christian, the mind is a minefield. Without maintaining the correct mindset, our mind can acquire false ideas and go on seemingly beyond control; with thoughts of sin, fear, anxiousness, rebellion; all in denial of the truth of who we are in Christ. You see, there are certain core doctrinal truth concerning the believers place and position with the Lord that render him sure and secure in Christ. These are doctrines of eternal security in His love and care as we adopt His view of life from heaven's balcony. These should be the believer's "knowledge of God" (our text).
Yes, there are times when the thoughts of our mind are at odds with what we've innately known to be true since the day we were born again, and what we've learned of His Holy word. The word "imaginations" in our text above is the Greek "logismo," meaning "reasoning." When we reason in self-reliance, independent of the truth we know of our relationship with Him, its an act of "exalting our self against the knowledge of God" - these are to be "cast down."
Being regenerated by "the Spirit of the Lord" now in our spirit as our new life, why would we have such contrary thoughts or "reasonings"? There often are situations and circumstances that tempt us to leave our unshakable secure position in Christ. It may be a trial of sickness, finance, relationship; or it may a temptation of the flesh via the eyes, a song, a TV scene, or otherwise. These then can stir in us a desire for something contrary to our knowledge of our faithful, loving, and righteous Lord. Some worry about the future or to lament the past, but He's not to be found there. He's the "I Am" in the now, dwelling in our spirit.
The initial troublesome thoughts should be considered the "firey darts" of the enemy of our soul, shot into our mind. Paul offers us the remedy...faith! "Above all, taking the shield of FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Wicked One - Satan). (Ephesians 6:16)
Our vain reasonings that follows temptation can take us anywhere other than to security in the Lord. We are usually then into darkness and insecurity, with anxiousness. However, when we recognize where we are in mind, we should immediately exercise our own personal intervention in the form of simply turning our heart back to the Lord as our ALL, where there's peace and rest without condemnation for being tempted.
16 Nevertheless when it (the heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail (of darkness) shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
The Apostle Paul wrote of our proper "mindset" as the key to enjoying the rest and peace of Christ's life.
5 For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but Those Who Are According To The Spirit And Are Controlled By The Desires Of The Spirit Set Their Minds On And Seek Those Things Which Gratify The [Holy] Spirit. 6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But The Mind Of The [Holy] Spirit Is Life and [Soul] Peace [Both Now And Forever]. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot. (Romans 8:5-7 (AMP)
