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I. THIS GOSPEL IS TO BRING THE THOUGHTS OF MEN INTO SUBJECTION TO CHRIST. Christianity recognises man as a thinking being, "bringing into captivity every thought." The thought of man may be regarded —

1. As the distinguishing attribute of his nature. It distinguishes man from the brute creation and assimilates him to God and fits him to enjoy Him for ever. Now —

2. As the great parent of his character. Man is what his thoughts are. If his thoughts be false, his character is false; if his thoughts be in harmony with the everlasting laws of God, his character will be so too. If a man thinks feebly, his character will be feeble; if he thinks vigorously, independently and progressively, his character will be the same.

3. As the chief instrument of his influence. Every other influence is utterly insignificant when compared with this. The corrupting influences of the world are only to be removed by the action of free and loving thought upon them. The death of mind is its departure from God. You cannot point to a country where some of the ideas of Jesus are not. Sometimes we take discouraging views of the progress of Christianity, but we should remember that the thoughts of Christ are mixed with the literature, the philosophy, the legislation, the commerce of the world. Is it not a glorious office of Christianity to bring these thoughts into captivity?

II. HOW DOES CHRIST CAPTIVATE MINDS?

1. By arousing them into life and action. A man's religion is valuable just in proportion as it engages his intense, solemn, and prayerful thought. The first action of Christ on the mind is to make us think.

2. By removing obstacles. "Strongholds" must be pulled down; "imaginations" or false reasonings must be cast down. What is the great hindrance to the subjection of mind to Christ? Human depravity — sin. But in what form does it manifest itself?

(1) Sensuousness — materialism. Sensuousness took Adam away from his allegiance, deluged the old population, broke up the Jewish nation, first degraded and then destroyed virtue in Greece, and overthrew Rome. Sensuousness is the dominion of the flesh over the spirit; the despotism of matter over mind. This is the most gross form of opposition to Christianity, the most common, and probably the most fatal. There is hope of men while they think, but there is no hope for men if they have sunk into sensuousness.

(2) False philosophy — the spirit of all wrong systems, which generally develops itself in scepticism.

(3) Religious superstition which substitutes mechanical action for mental activity.

(4) Secular authority.Conclusion:

1. Have you given your thoughts to Christ?

2. What are we to do to bring other minds to Christ?

(Caleb Morris.)

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KJV: 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;

WEB: throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;