Good Afternoon Sergio. I'm about to go headstrong into The Jewish Study Bible you recommended. I'm looking forward to the rewards and challenges I most definitely will face.
I thank you greatly for this brilliant take on taking our thoughts captive. There is a lot to chew on here. If I were to examine myself I'd have to say I'm pretty scattered.
As much as I try to battle my thoughts and the intent of them, I find the world around me to be frustratingly noisy!
I suppose that taking my thoughts captive is a process as much as it is a huge spiritual battle.
My thinking tells me that the more I'm able to overcome the world, the more I'm bringing my thoughts captive. The more I do this, the more I can abide in Him and find peace and joy.
Most people I know who claim salvation, don't consider any of these things.
Personally, I want to thank you for your godly guidance and scholarship. My journey into the Hebraic is going to be exhilarating for this old man!
Hope you don't mind if I cross post some of your work. Many people I know could use your knowledge and insight!
Your brilliance with the Hebrew text once again rises like a clear trumpet blast above the noise of modern discipleship. Few writers today have the precision to handle lev, the covenant-inner world, with such Hebraic fidelity, and fewer still can marry that scholarship to a pastoral urgency that meets the reader right where their battles are fought.
You have done both masterfully.
This article is not merely insightful; it is diagnostic. It exposes the ancient truth that every war begins long before our hands move, our mouths speak, or our feet wander. You have returned us to the biblical reality that the battlefield of the mind is sacred territory, covenant territory, and that the unguarded thought is the first breach in the walls of obedience.
Your weaving of Proverbs, David’s prayers, Isaiah’s summons to forsake thoughts, and Paul’s command to take captive every rebel imagination creates a tapestry of Hebraic clarity that our generation desperately needs. You remind us that “thought-warfare” is not a modern psychological strategy, but a deeply ancient discipline baked into Torah, fulfilled in Jesus our Messiah, and demanded of every earnest disciple.
And the personal, heart-shaping application you bring is razor-sharp. You show us that marriages collapse not in moments but in unruled thoughts, that discipline is not a matter of hustle but of mental governance, that peace is not a feeling but the fruit of inner alignment with God.
This is the kind of writing that does more than inform; it awakens. It calls the reader to repentance without condemnation, to vigilance without fear, to obedience without legalism.
Most of all, it calls us back to covenant faithfulness where it begins, not in the hands or the habits but in the hidden chambers of the mind.
Thank you for stewarding your gift with such honor for the text and such love for the people of God. Your voice strengthens the remnant, and your work continues to sharpen all of us who walk this ancient Way.
Oh my goodness, Sergio.....This is by far the most thorough and intelligent article I've ever read regarding our thoughts...This should be taught in every congregation and synagogue...
For me, when I read the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9), it makes it so much deeper , a hidden gold nugget 😜.
“Ve’ahavta et Adonai Elohekha bekhol levavkha…”
(“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart…”)
Levavkha isn’t just “heart” in the modern sense, it’s the inner heart-mind, where thoughts are governed, intentions are chosen, and life is aimed on purpose toward Abba.
Nani, I love that!! That is awesome!! Let me know what they think. I'm always curious to see what kind of feedback we can get; it makes us all stronger. I appreciate you. Have a blessed weekend!
Wow, that was powerful and well written! My mind has been a mess for a long time. I have really been trying to be intentional as far as, "holding my thoughts captive." When a thought comes to my mind that I know is not from the Holy Spirit, I immediately rebuke the one who put it there, I ask forgiveness for allowing such a thought for entering my mind, and I move on. Your article is a preface to something very important that Yeshua taught us, because thoughts very often lead to words. It is written in Matthew 15:11, "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." As always, well done Mishpocha!
I am thinking about what you’ve said and I wonder what part you see the Holy Spirit playing in this process? On the one hand we don’t want an overreliance on our human will but we would also be fully surrendered and participatory in the process of a sanctified thought life, right?
I’m with you, it’s never just human willpower, and it’s never just “let go and let God.” A sanctified thought life is always a partnership.
The Spirit — the Ruach — is God’s own consciousness at work in us: convicting, exposing, guiding, and bringing clarity we could never manufacture on our own. He shows us what’s really happening beneath the surface.
But He doesn’t take the thoughts captive for us. Paul’s command in 2 Corinthians 10 is an action verb. We’re expected to step in, grab hold, and align those thoughts with truth.
So yes, surrendered and participatory.
The Ruach reveals the battlefield.
We take the shots.
That balance keeps us from trusting in raw willpower on one side or drifting into passive spirituality on the other.
Hey Crispin, great question. There isn’t a tiny answer for it, but Jeremiah 31 is the best place to start. That chapter lays out the covenant in God’s own words. Take a look and we can pick it up from there. I'm always open for dialogue, my friend. Just let me know what you find and what you have questions about.
Staying loyal to our Abba even when our thoughts get tough.
Wow, your explanation through a hebraic lens is truly uplifting. I seek this daily. There are times I pray to take all the false doctrines and anything else that doesn't align with Abbas' perfect will.
We are living in a spiritual warfare of the mind... 'stomp the snake daily' because fear, anxiety, depression, etc. Are not the fruits of our Abba, but that of the adversary.
Brother, your fruits are exceedingly blessing me. Thank you! Keep writing and preaching what so many seek... Your wisdom is clear with proof of scripture!
Supporting someone even when the going gets tough = loyalty
Good Afternoon Sergio. I'm about to go headstrong into The Jewish Study Bible you recommended. I'm looking forward to the rewards and challenges I most definitely will face.
I thank you greatly for this brilliant take on taking our thoughts captive. There is a lot to chew on here. If I were to examine myself I'd have to say I'm pretty scattered.
As much as I try to battle my thoughts and the intent of them, I find the world around me to be frustratingly noisy!
I suppose that taking my thoughts captive is a process as much as it is a huge spiritual battle.
My thinking tells me that the more I'm able to overcome the world, the more I'm bringing my thoughts captive. The more I do this, the more I can abide in Him and find peace and joy.
Most people I know who claim salvation, don't consider any of these things.
Personally, I want to thank you for your godly guidance and scholarship. My journey into the Hebraic is going to be exhilarating for this old man!
Hope you don't mind if I cross post some of your work. Many people I know could use your knowledge and insight!
Share brother! And thank you for the kind words, it’s a joy to share how I see things ♥️ and a real gift/blessing to see it help others!
Sergio,
Your brilliance with the Hebrew text once again rises like a clear trumpet blast above the noise of modern discipleship. Few writers today have the precision to handle lev, the covenant-inner world, with such Hebraic fidelity, and fewer still can marry that scholarship to a pastoral urgency that meets the reader right where their battles are fought.
You have done both masterfully.
This article is not merely insightful; it is diagnostic. It exposes the ancient truth that every war begins long before our hands move, our mouths speak, or our feet wander. You have returned us to the biblical reality that the battlefield of the mind is sacred territory, covenant territory, and that the unguarded thought is the first breach in the walls of obedience.
Your weaving of Proverbs, David’s prayers, Isaiah’s summons to forsake thoughts, and Paul’s command to take captive every rebel imagination creates a tapestry of Hebraic clarity that our generation desperately needs. You remind us that “thought-warfare” is not a modern psychological strategy, but a deeply ancient discipline baked into Torah, fulfilled in Jesus our Messiah, and demanded of every earnest disciple.
And the personal, heart-shaping application you bring is razor-sharp. You show us that marriages collapse not in moments but in unruled thoughts, that discipline is not a matter of hustle but of mental governance, that peace is not a feeling but the fruit of inner alignment with God.
This is the kind of writing that does more than inform; it awakens. It calls the reader to repentance without condemnation, to vigilance without fear, to obedience without legalism.
Most of all, it calls us back to covenant faithfulness where it begins, not in the hands or the habits but in the hidden chambers of the mind.
Thank you for stewarding your gift with such honor for the text and such love for the people of God. Your voice strengthens the remnant, and your work continues to sharpen all of us who walk this ancient Way.
Shalom v’shalvah to you, my brother.
Keep writing. We need this.
Shalom v’shalvah to you too, my brother.
Thank you for saying that :) It motivates me!
And may Abba strengthen you as a shepherd who won’t dodge the hard truths!
“Chazak ve’ematz, ro’eh ne’eman.”
Be strong and courageous, faithful shepherd.
Thank You, Sir. I am undergirded by your prayers and blessings.
Oh my goodness, Sergio.....This is by far the most thorough and intelligent article I've ever read regarding our thoughts...This should be taught in every congregation and synagogue...
For me, when I read the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9), it makes it so much deeper , a hidden gold nugget 😜.
“Ve’ahavta et Adonai Elohekha bekhol levavkha…”
(“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart…”)
Levavkha isn’t just “heart” in the modern sense, it’s the inner heart-mind, where thoughts are governed, intentions are chosen, and life is aimed on purpose toward Abba.
That passage became the life verse for me ❤️
Thank you!
Thank you Brother Sergio for much-needed biblical instruction and correction. Shared with my little online group of church sisters!
Nani, I love that!! That is awesome!! Let me know what they think. I'm always curious to see what kind of feedback we can get; it makes us all stronger. I appreciate you. Have a blessed weekend!
Wow, that was powerful and well written! My mind has been a mess for a long time. I have really been trying to be intentional as far as, "holding my thoughts captive." When a thought comes to my mind that I know is not from the Holy Spirit, I immediately rebuke the one who put it there, I ask forgiveness for allowing such a thought for entering my mind, and I move on. Your article is a preface to something very important that Yeshua taught us, because thoughts very often lead to words. It is written in Matthew 15:11, "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." As always, well done Mishpocha!
I love that Mark, That is a huge tie/ beautiful connection! I appreciate you… and Linus!
I am thinking about what you’ve said and I wonder what part you see the Holy Spirit playing in this process? On the one hand we don’t want an overreliance on our human will but we would also be fully surrendered and participatory in the process of a sanctified thought life, right?
I’m with you, it’s never just human willpower, and it’s never just “let go and let God.” A sanctified thought life is always a partnership.
The Spirit — the Ruach — is God’s own consciousness at work in us: convicting, exposing, guiding, and bringing clarity we could never manufacture on our own. He shows us what’s really happening beneath the surface.
But He doesn’t take the thoughts captive for us. Paul’s command in 2 Corinthians 10 is an action verb. We’re expected to step in, grab hold, and align those thoughts with truth.
So yes, surrendered and participatory.
The Ruach reveals the battlefield.
We take the shots.
That balance keeps us from trusting in raw willpower on one side or drifting into passive spirituality on the other.
Hope that makes sense?
Yes, that’s a good clarification. Thank you.
What is the covenant between God and Christians? What performance is expected from both sides? Thank you.
Hey Crispin, great question. There isn’t a tiny answer for it, but Jeremiah 31 is the best place to start. That chapter lays out the covenant in God’s own words. Take a look and we can pick it up from there. I'm always open for dialogue, my friend. Just let me know what you find and what you have questions about.
Got it. I’ll check it out. Thanks.
"More often than not, the inner me is the enemy." ~the late DMX
Beautifully written Sergio!
Staying loyal to our Abba even when our thoughts get tough.
Wow, your explanation through a hebraic lens is truly uplifting. I seek this daily. There are times I pray to take all the false doctrines and anything else that doesn't align with Abbas' perfect will.
We are living in a spiritual warfare of the mind... 'stomp the snake daily' because fear, anxiety, depression, etc. Are not the fruits of our Abba, but that of the adversary.
Brother, your fruits are exceedingly blessing me. Thank you! Keep writing and preaching what so many seek... Your wisdom is clear with proof of scripture!
Supporting someone even when the going gets tough = loyalty
Bless you brother, Sergio