Kris Vallotton • Dec 06, 2023

What If Your Thoughts Are Not Your Own?

NOT EVERY THOUGHT IS YOUR OWN

Have you ever found yourself going about your day, running errands, at work or connecting with friends, only to be startled by a thought that seems to come out of nowhere? Perhaps it enters as a subtle judgmental opinion or perverse idea, or maybe it is a loud and overwhelming statement of, “I hate myself!” Scripture is clear that we are to be sober-minded in all that we do and to manage our thinking so that it is lovely, pure and noble. But, scripture also teaches us to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). I propose that not every thought that enters your mind originates from you. There are thoughts from the enemy that will enter your mind uninvited, and those thoughts you must take captive!

Consider this analogy: your mind is like a car with the radio turned on, and the spiritual realm represents the vast array of radio waves around you. On one channel there is a never ending stream of truth being broadcasted by God Himself that you always have access to, but an opposing channel serves to spew the lies of the enemy to anyone who will listen. Humans have the ability to "tune in" to these channels, but without the awareness that these channels even exist, one could see how easy it might be to mistake external thoughts for your own. Without understanding this principle, Believers can find themselves racked with shame, attempting to repent for a thought that wasn’t theirs from the start. 

Let me be clear, I’m not saying that we aren’t responsible for our own thoughts, but rather that when a lie from the enemy knocks on the door of our mind we have a choice. We can either recognize the lie that it is and slam the door in its face or we can choose to entertain the thought and allow it inside. 

In a recent conversation with my dear friend Dawna De Silva, a bestselling author and founder of Bethel Sozo, she made an insightful point: "It’s important that we understand what the broadcast of the enemy is, not so that we can tune into it but so that we know what he is doing, discerning how to shift and release the opposite of what he is doing." There are countless channels we can choose from, but it’s important to have discernment when selecting what we will receive into our spirit. I’d propose that developing discernment to identify the enemy's deceptions has the potential to transform more than just our personal lives. This ability equips Believers with the power to change the very climate around us as we counter the adversary's tactics.

YOU ARE AN ATMOSPHERE SHIFTER

2 Corinthians 10 declares, "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

As sons and daughters of God, not only do we have the responsibility to establish spiritual boundaries within our own minds but we have been given the divine authority to demolish strongholds, arguments and claims that oppose God! Wow! Imagine if Believers grabbed ahold of this truth, able first to identify a spiritual “radio station” and began to release the opposite into their realms of influence. Cities would be transformed and spiritual strongholds removed.

DISMANTLING THE SPIRIT OF SUICIDE

The last few years, I have been deeply disturbed by the alarming suicide statistics both nationally and globally. I am infuriated by the enemy's assault on the minds of this current generation, convincing them that life isn't worth living. This is a lie straight from the “Hell’s Hotline” radio station! According to the National Institute of Health, in 2019 suicide was the 4th leading cause of death in young people aged 15-29 globally. In America alone, according to a study by the American Foundation for Suicide prevention, there were 1.7 million suicide attempts in 2021.  

Having grappled with severe depression and suicidal thoughts myself, I empathize with the overwhelming feelings of despair that can consume one's mind, and recognize how in those moments ending one's life can seem like the sweet escape you’re looking for. Yet, God’s truth is louder than any lie and He desires to bring the same deliverance to you that He did to me in my season of darkness.

So, what if we could identify the spirit of suicide plaguing our communities and engage in warfare against the strongholds that oppress so many? If we aim to be a force of hope, we must abandon a passive stance and fight with the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. The truth is, light is stalking the darkness, and the goodness of God is overwhelming evil!

If you are hungry to grow in discerning and shifting spiritual atmospheres, check out Dawna De Silva’s book Essential Training for Shifting Atmospheres. 

If you’re dealing with suicidal thoughts, I exhort you to reach out for help today. If you’re having immediate thoughts of ending your life please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

THE BLOG

Discover more blog posts

The Kryptonite of Connection

By Kris Vallotton • 03 Apr, 2024
In a world more connected than ever through the internet and social media, the deep, authentic connection we all yearn for has become increasingly elusive. Created in God’s image, we instinctively desire to be known, loved, and belong, yet so many of us wrestle with invisible barriers that keep us isolated. What if the secret to breaking through these barriers lies not in more connections but in deeper, more meaningful ones with both God and others? How can we identify and overcome what prevents us from experiencing true connection in our daily lives?
the sun is setting over the ocean with clouds in the sky

Prophetic Word: The Womb of the Dawn

By Kris Vallotton • 06 Feb, 2024
In early December, I began seeking a prophetic word from the Lord for 2024. He told me, "I am not going to give you a word for 2024. Instead, I am going to give you a word for the Body of Christ for a new era." He explained that January 2024 would be a half-time; marking the closure of an era and the beginning of a new one. This period would be characterized by immense transition, culminating in the discipling of nations. A supernatural metamorphosis, metaphorically akin to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, would occur right before our eyes.

It's Halftime

By Kris Vallotton • 02 Jan, 2024
Have you ever found yourself in the midst of life's chaos, desperately needing a break, clarity, and a spiritual reset? Picture it like halftime – that pivotal moment when the coach steps in, recalibrates the team, and sparks a turnaround. The game isn't over; this is a chance to come back stronger and claim victory! In recent weeks, a resounding message has been echoing in my heart and mind: January is the Church's halftime! Our divine Coach is calling us to the huddle, to draw close, and let Him fine-tune our game plan – our values, thoughts, and behaviors. Amid the noise, He's inviting us to step away, knowing that leaning into these divine moments will catapult us into the second half, ready for victory. And in this game, we already know the final score – He wins!
Show More

NEWSLETTER

Get free digital content from Kris with his weekly newsletter
 
Share by: