Today I’m going to say something that might sound a bit jarring. But I think it’s for your own good. Please hear me out.
Do you find it difficult to find time to pray, even though you don’t find it difficult to do other less important things?
Do you find it hard to focus your attention when you read the Bible, even though you never have a problem focusing your attention when you’re scrolling online or watching a movie?
Do you find it challenging to get to church on Sunday morning, or to share your faith with someone (even when they’ve opened the door to a conversation about it), or to simply show a kindness to one of your neighbours?
If so, has it ever crossed your mind that there may be dark forces that are trying to stop you?
I know, I know, sounds pretty dramatic, right?
In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul writes: “take every thought captive to obey Christ…” The implication is that our thoughts are easily led astray. Why would we have to take our own thoughts “captive” unless there was someone else competing for them?
In the wider passage, Paul is talking about spiritual warfare with dark forces. So yes, it is possible that these dark forces are trying to keep you from focusing on God as your ultimate source of help and hope.
As modern people, this is hard for us to digest. Our default way-of-thinking is to presume that everything we experience is based purely on physical or psychological realities. Sometimes? Yes. But not always.
Neil Anderson and Timothy Warner have observed the same thing: “People often complain that when they try to pray, their minds wader, they get sleepy, or they think of a dozen other things to do. My response is, “Welcome to the war!”*
I’m not sitting beside you, so I don’t know about your specific situation, nor can I help provide a diagnosis. But if this is you—and even if it isn’t—ask God to protect your mind and to keep you focused on him, his Word, and his will. Bind the enemy in the name of Jesus.
Have you noticed how everyone is so distracted all the time. Gee, I wonder if that’s intentional…
As Paul says, let’s take every thought captive to obey Christ, and let’s live in the abundant grace and truth that the Lord intends for his clear-minded children.
Notes:
-Note: As of August 10, I am on vacation. However, The Up Daily Devotional will continue daily until August 21, then go on pause for 2 weeks, resuming on September 7, 2026.
-*Neil T. Anderson and Timothy M. Warner, The Essential Guide to Spiritual Warfare (Minneapolis: BethanyHouse, 2000), 135.
-Bible quotes, ESV.
Leave a Reply