A Lesson For Clive. A Lesson From Clive.

by DanWolgemuth on April 16, 2021

Last Fall, Clive, a Portuguese Water dog joined our extended family. Andrew and Chrissy pulled the trigger on this addition to their family of six and the adventure of puppy life quickly impacted them… and us.

On Clive’s first visit to our house, Andrew and Chrissy provided a kennel. When our new family puppy is in our house, the kennel finds its way to the laundry room floor. From time to time it proves to be in everyone’s best interest to restrict Clive’s movement around the house by confining him to this space.

This isn’t cruel or ugly or unfair… it’s wise and appropriate for all involved. We like this dog a lot. And frankly, that’s why we opt to place him in the kennel from time to time.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5 – ESV)

Captive.

Not just for a puppy, but as the Apostle Paul reminds us, our thoughts. Every thought.

At a time when speed feels more critical than accuracy or restraint or appropriateness, captive thoughts seem irrational or unnecessary.

Speed to post is of utmost importance. And so we do. We post first and think later… or maybe we don’t ever think at all.

We post without pondering. We comment without consideration. We argue without empathy. We fuel the embers of bias and at the same time feed the algorithms that amplify whatever position we have taken.

In our current culture, it’s rare to see any thought held captive. In obedience to Christ. As an example of ripened fruit.

Every thought held. For our good, and for the good of others.

Until the yeast of wisdom has time to leaven the entire loaf. Until we hear first from the Spirit of God. Until we weigh the accuracy of what we’re about to say. Until we assess that damage of what we are about to communicate. Until we can season our thoughts and words with salt (Colossians 4:6). Perhaps until we have the courage to hit delete… or in some cases, hit “post”.

When every story seems to be a “Breaking Story”, and every post seems to be an urgent post… captivity seems unwise. Outdated. Unnecessary. But perhaps, it is the wisest thing possible.

In reality, my thoughts, unconstrained are far more like a puppy than I care to admit. And frankly, it’s much smarter to keep them captive than to have to clean up a mess.

Sorry Facebook. Sorry Instagram. Sorry Twitter…

Every thought captive.

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