Captive Desire

Captive Desire

"And you see among the captives a beautiful woman and desire her, that you may have her as your wife." (Deut. 21:11 AMP)

If you do not master your desires, your desires will master you—and eventually take you captive.

It is striking that a free man, a soldier, would desire a woman who is herself in captivity. Were there no beautiful women among the free? This scene echoes the story of Samson, who set his heart on a woman from a people God forbade him to marry. Was Samson taking his desire captive, or was his desire taking him captive?

Scripture teaches us to bring every thought into obedience to Christ. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5 KJV)

Like soldiers of Christ, we must guard our hearts. Any thought that rises against the knowledge of God must be arrested and made to submit to Christ. If we fail to take thoughts captive, those thoughts will eventually take us captive.

So ask yourself today: Are your thoughts captive to Christ—or are you captive to your thoughts?

Reflection

Desires are powerful, and thoughts often come dressed in what looks harmless, attractive, or even reasonable. But not every beautiful thing is meant for us, and not every appealing thought is aligned with God’s will. True freedom is found not in following every desire but in surrendering every desire to Christ. When we bring our thoughts under His authority, we discover strength, clarity, and peace.

Prayer

Lord, help me to master my desires and not be mastered by them. Give me the grace to bring every thought into obedience to Christ. Guard my heart from anything that opposes Your will, and strengthen me to walk in the freedom You have given. Amen.

Have a fruitful day,
(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift)

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