At some point in time, we have all had to deal with some kind of distorted thinking. This distorted thinking may have come after damaging words were spoken
by a significant person in our lives, or perhaps by a past failure. Either way, when we allow the opinions of others or our experiences to determine
the way we see ourselves, a distorted image develops.

The danger comes when distorted thoughts begin to build a stronghold in our minds. But regardless of the source of the stronghold and how long it’s been
there, God’s weapons can destroy them. Second Corinthians 10:4-5 says,

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (NKJV).

The meaning of the Greek word for stronghold is very interesting. Not only is it a fortress as we might imagine, but according to Thayer’s definition it
is “an argument or reasoning used by one endeavoring to fortify his opinion and defend it against his opponent.”

That’s exactly what happens when distorted thoughts become a stronghold in our minds. They rationalize why God hasn’t done what He promised for us. A stronghold
says, “God may work miracles for others, but not for me.”

God’s Word is the only power that can overthrow and destroy every stronghold built in our minds.

Second Corinthians 10:4-5 assures us that God’s weapons are mightier than any stronghold of the enemy. It doesn’t matter the nature of the stronghold,
or how long it’s been there, God has promised that when we use His weapons, they will be destroyed!

It is one thing to know God’s weapons have the power to destroy strongholds, but knowing how to destroy those strongholds is valuable information. Strongholds
of the mind are destroyed when we follow Paul’s instructions to “take every thought captive.”

The idea of taking a thought captive can sound very elusive and mysterious, but it’s really very simple! We capture a thought the same way a thief is captured.
In reality, wrong thoughts are thieves that come to steal God’s promise of peace, health, favor, joy, and prosperity.

The first step we must take to capture a thief is to identify wrong thoughts. If you are a new believer and you aren’t familiar with the will of God, there
is a simple, yet foolproof way to determine whether a thought is from God or not. Simply ask, “Does this thought bring peace and life, or is it upsetting
and destructive?” Notice how Jesus identified a thief:

“The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 NASB).

When thoughts produce a response that steals, kills, or destroys then we can be certain they come from the kingdom of darkness. On the other hand, if thoughts
bring life, peace, and joy then they’re from God.

Begin to identify wrong thoughts and stop them from stealing your God-given inheritance!