Think About What You Think About [Every Thought Captive] — Pastor Jason Burns

May 10, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Hands Up in the Scanner

The TSA agent’s gloved hands moved down Jason’s shoulders to his thighs during the “random screening.” Every instinct screamed to crack a joke, but this time, intrusive thoughts lost the battle. Like metal detectors exposing hidden objects, Paul warns believers not to let external pressures mold them: “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.” The world’s shaping happens subtly—through screens, conversations, and cultural norms—while Christ offers transformative renewal. [02:29]

Your mind faces daily pressure to conform. What you binge-watch, scroll through, or passively absorb quietly reshapes you. Jesus didn’t retreat from the world but engaged it with a renewed perspective. Where have you felt the “squeeze” of cultural expectations lately?

“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within.”
(Romans 12:2, J.B. Phillips)

Prayer: Ask God to reveal one area where worldly thinking has shaped you.
Challenge: Write down three triggers today that tempt you toward unhelpful thoughts.

Day 2: Molds and Cookie Cutters

Jason’s cookie cutter stamped his mother-in-law’s image into dough, just as repeated thoughts stamp patterns into our minds. Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so he is”—our neural pathways solidify with every mental repetition. Paul contrasts being conformed (pressed outward) with being transformed (rewired inward). Neuroplasticity isn’t just science; it’s God’s design for renewal. [09:57]

Your thoughts aren’t neutral—they’re architects. Negative patterns build strongholds; truth dismantles them. Jesus confronted Peter’s wrong thinking with love, redirecting him toward kingdom purpose. What mental “cookie cutter” has left destructive imprints on your life?

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
(Proverbs 23:7, NKJV)

Prayer: Confess one lie you’ve believed and ask God to replace it with His truth.
Challenge: Memorize Philippians 4:8 and recite it when a negative thought arises today.

Day 3: Demolition Crews for Strongholds

Paul commands believers to “demolish arguments and every pretension” opposing God’s truth. Strongholds—like the layered walls of ancient cities—protect lies we’ve believed. The TSA agent’s invasive search mirrors how toxic thoughts invade when we drop our guard. But Christ’s truth acts like dynamite, blasting falsehoods to rubble. [16:21]

Strongholds thrive in secrecy. Jesus exposed the Samaritan woman’s hidden shame with gentle truth. What argument against God’s love have you fortified in your mind?

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)

Prayer: Pray aloud Psalm 139:23-24, inviting God to expose hidden strongholds.
Challenge: Text a trusted friend one lie you’ve believed and ask them to speak truth over you.

Day 4: Gaps and Gratitude Journals

The woman drowning in negativity couldn’t see blessings until she journaled three daily thanks. Paul urges “give thanks in all circumstances”—not for pain, but for God’s presence within it. Gaps in relationships tempt us to assume the worst, but gratitude redirects our focus upward. [21:18]

Jesus thanked the Father before multiplying loaves, modeling thankfulness as a lens for miracles. What “gap” in your life currently breeds suspicion instead of trust?

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)

Prayer: Thank God for three specific gifts today, even if circumstances feel hard.
Challenge: Set a phone alarm for 3 PM to pause and name one thing you’re grateful for.

Day 5: Morphing Time

Like Power Rangers shouting “It’s morphin’ time!” believers choose mental renewal. Paul says “set your minds on things above”—a deliberate pivot from earthly distractions. Worship shrinks problems by magnifying God’s sovereignty, just as Jason’s inflatable lawn decoration overshadowed petty annoyances. [19:39]

Jesus transformed Peter’s shame into purpose by asking, “Do you love me?” three times. What thought pattern needs a holy “morph” in your life?

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
(Colossians 3:2, NIV)

Prayer: Ask God to help you replace one anxious thought with His promise today.
Challenge: Spend 10 minutes in worship music before checking your phone this morning.

Sermon Summary

We begin with a simple but urgent point: our lives move in the direction of our strongest thoughts. We see intrusive, fleeting ideas influence words and actions, and we admit that unchecked thinking builds the shape of our days. Scripture commands us not to conform to the pattern of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, which means rejecting external molds and embracing an inward metamorphosis. That transformation requires God's power; we cannot remake ourselves merely by trying harder. Science confirms this truth through neuroplasticity: our brains form and reinforce neural pathways based on repeated thought and exposure, which explains why habits and addictions feel so hard to break.

We learn that strongholds form when we receive and protect false beliefs, posting walls of defense around lies until those lies govern our decisions and emotions. The way out starts by replacing false information with truth, demolishing arguments that stand against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. Practically, we must examine what we feed our minds: news cycles, social media, gossip, and repetitive fears all shape our internal landscape. The law of cognition and the rule of exposure work together: what we repeatedly expose ourselves to grows, and what we starve diminishes.

Four practical implications clarify why thoughts matter. First, our thoughts establish our emotions; choosing to reframe or to practice gratitude changes how we feel. Second, our thoughts direct our decisions; one new thought can redirect a life. Third, our thoughts regulate our relationships by how we fill gaps with trust or suspicion. Fourth, our thoughts determine spiritual growth because setting our minds on things above refocuses our vision and worship reorders priorities. The call invites a concrete experiment: for seven days we intentionally control exposure, cultivate gratitude, avoid gossip, fast from destructive feeds, and prioritize worship so God can remold our minds. We trust that by God’s help and the discipline of renewed thinking, the strongholds can fall and our lives will begin to reflect the truth we now choose to feed.

Key Takeaways

1. Our thoughts shape our lives We must recognize that repeated thinking sculpts destiny more than isolated actions. When we feed certain themes—fear, shame, comparison—those themes gain traction and steer moods, choices, and long-term patterns. Choosing to reorient our attention changes neural pathways and opens space for obedience to Christ. [03:36]
2. Replace falsehoods with Godly truth Lies gain fortified positions when we defend them; the way to dismantle them requires supplying accurate, truthful propositions in their place. Repeating Scripture and truthful declarations rewires belief, dismantles arguments against God, and breaks the architecture of strongholds. This is spiritual warfare rooted in truth, not mere willpower. [16:21]
3. Control exposure to change pathways Neuroplasticity shows that repeated exposure creates pathways that feel automatic and normal. We can deliberately alter what we consume so different thoughts gain strength: fewer fear-driven feeds, more truth-filled practices, and selective ignorance where necessary. This reshaping of inputs leads to lasting behavioral and emotional change. [11:47]
4. Practical habits renew our minds Small, sustained habits—gratitude journaling, social media fasts, stopping gossip, and corporate worship—provide the repetitive truth and focus necessary for metamorphosis. These practices starve destructive patterns and feed renewing ones, allowing God to transform thought life from the inside out. A short, disciplined experiment can become a lifelong redirect. [19:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - Intrusive Thoughts and a Story
[01:55] - TSA Moment and Humor
[03:36] - Romans 12:2 Explained
[04:00] - Conform versus Transform
[11:47] - Neuroplasticity and Cognition
[15:01] - Defining Strongholds
[16:59] - Take Every Thought Captive
[19:57] - Exposure Experiment and Habits
[20:27] - Thoughts, Emotions, Relationships
[29:24] - Invitation and Response

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
- Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV): "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
- Colossians 3:2 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Observation Questions

What two contrasting commands does Romans 12:2 give about how we are to live, and what role does the mind play in this process?
According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, what are the "strongholds" we are called to demolish, and what "weapons" do we use to do this?
The sermon mentions neuroplasticity as a scientific concept that aligns with biblical truth. How does repeated exposure to certain thoughts or inputs shape our habits and beliefs? [11:47]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Romans 12:2 emphasize renewing the mind as the key to transformation rather than just changing outward behavior? How does this connect to the idea of "strongholds" in 2 Corinthians 10:4?
How might "taking every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5) look practically in daily life, especially when dealing with intrusive or negative thoughts?
Colossians 3:2 urges believers to focus on "things above." What kinds of "earthly things" (v. 2) might compete for our mental focus, and how do they hinder spiritual growth?

Application Questions

Identify one lie you’ve believed or "stronghold" (e.g., "I’m not enough" or "God can’t forgive this"). What specific Scripture or truth could you intentionally focus on to replace that lie? [15:40]
What daily input (e.g., social media, news, conversations) tends to fuel anxiety or negativity in your thoughts? What step could you take this week to limit or replace that exposure? [26:01]
How could starting a daily habit of writing down three things you’re grateful for shift your emotional responses to challenges? [21:18]
When you encounter a relational "gap" (e.g., unanswered messages, unclear intentions), do you default to suspicion or trust? What practical choice could help you reframe those thoughts? [22:56]
What would it look like to "fast" from gossip for seven days—both in what you say about others and what you listen to? How might this habit renew your mind? [27:15]

Sermon Clips

36s

#RenewYourMind

“transformed by the renewing of your mind. Pause here for just a moment. This word transformed is interesting. This one is called the present imperative tense. This is a passive imperative tense which is weird because it means it's something you can't do but you must do. It's something you can't do on your own. It means you need God's help but you must do it And God wants to do this. You must be transformed. How? By the renewing of your mind. This word transformed is a fun word in Greek. It's the word metamorphoo. Metamorphoo is the word that we would transliterate in English metamorphosis. It is the process by which a caterpillar metamorphosis transforms into a butterfly.”

41s

#MagnifyGodNotProblems

“I tend to make my problems really big. I tend to give my focus to it. I tend to think about it. It wakes me up in the middle of the night because that's what I'm thinking about. But what worship does is it says, God, I'm seeing how big, how majestic, how powerful you are. I'm choosing to magnify you, which in turn reminds me how small comparatively my problems actually are. Paul says, set your mind. Go ahead and make a decision. God, I'm placing my mind on you. My thoughts are on you, but my heart, my focus, my energy, it belongs to you. And the things of this world, they just grow strangely dim. They just they just seem smaller in comparison.”

35s

#ThoughtsShapeEmotions

“this week I challenge you to what I'm calling an exposure experiment. An exposure experiment is I want you to think about what you think about. Here's why. Number one, our thoughts establish our emotions. If you were at church last week, Liz preached a beautiful message on our emotions and how they affect our relationships. And a lot of people wrongly think that I'm driven by my emotions. That is not true. Your emotions are a gift from God. They're wonderful, but don't put them in the driver's seat at all. And I want you to understand it's your thoughts that establish them. Some people are like, well, how is that possible? What you think about dictates your mood.”

46s

#TakeEveryThoughtCaptive

“Then he goes on. Next verse, he says, we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. Okay. So listen. So what he's saying is anything you think about that is opposite or contrary to the word of God, we demolish those arguments. And then I love this line, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. What does that mean Jason? It means the average person has between sixty and eighty thousand thoughts per day. But you probably don't think you have that many thoughts. It's because 95% of those live below the level of consciousness. You think about things you don't even think about. You're distracted by things. Things happen. Things flash through your mind. You make lots of decisions you don't even think about.”

39s

#SpeakLifeNotGossip

“I don't I don't need to know that. How about when you know something and someone asks you for information, just say that's not my story to share. How about you talk about your friends, but but just say the good stuff. Just bless them. Just honor them with your words and see what it does to you. And what if we just tried this for seven weeks and seven days and what if seven days turned into seven weeks and what if seven weeks became a habit and a lifestyle for us? Here's what I promise you will happen. What the Bible says will come true, which is we're no longer being conformed the ways of this world. But we're allowing God to transform us by the renewing of our minds.”

34s

#ChooseTrustNotSuspicion

“What do you fill the gap in with? Trust or suspicion? Suspicion says, I'm here busting my tail and I can't even get them. They must they might be taking a nap right now. Trust says, if I'm this busy, they're probably just as busy. That's why I can't reach them. Can you see the difference of how it affects your relationships? Talk about marriage for a moment. Guys, get home and there's three Amazon packages at the door and you didn't order them. Oh boy. I'm stepping into something here. Okay. Don't elbow your wife. Okay.”

38s

#ThoughtsAreRoot

“We have a bad day and we fall right back into the habit. It's because behavior modification without thinking transformation doesn't lead to any change. Instead of paying attention to our behavior, we need to get to the root which is our thoughts. Our behavior flows from our thoughts. So here's what I'm gonna challenge you to do today. Today, I wanna challenge you to think about the things that you're exposing your mind and your thought life to. A moment ago, I told you what's called the law of cognition. There's another thing in social sciences called the rule of exposure. And what the rule of exposure says, it says whatever we're exposed to the most shapes our thoughts.”

27s

#ExitTheGossipTrain

“Are you with me? I I I think that there's some stuff in your life that you probably need to take a break from. There's probably some friends. So you just need to hit pause with because all they do is talk negatively to you and about you. Here's something fun. How about you get off the gossip train this week and you stop talking about anybody in any way other than beautifully and positively? How about this week anytime someone comes to you with some gossip be like, oh, that's not my story.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Access Church This sermon · AI assistant

How can thoughts become spiritual strongholds?

What does renewing of the mind entail?

What role does neuroplasticity play in sanctification?

Think About What You Think About [Every Thought Captive] — Pastor Jason Burns

Devotional

Day 1: Hands Up in the Scanner

Day 2: Molds and Cookie Cutters

Day 3: Demolition Crews for Strongholds

Day 4: Gaps and Gratitude Journals

Day 5: Morphing Time

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Think About What You Think About [Every Thought Captive] — Pastor Jason Burns

Share