This a devotion I have read many times during Lent. I hope the unknown author does not mind me sharing.

Read: I Corinthians 2:10b-16

“…the Son of God has come and given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.”–1 John 5:20

Taking thoughts captive, with the power of the Holy Spirit, can help us in relationships as well as individually. For example, we all want to be understood by friends and loved ones — understandably so! Remember, though, that our Heavenly Father desires to be understood too. He gave us the Holy Spirit for this reason (see v. 12); without Him, this understanding is impossible (v. 14).

Psalm 53:2 says: “God looks down … to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” So, to seek understanding, seek God.
Study and meditate on His word daily (Acts 17:11) so as to understand it; pray to Him for discernment; surrender to His will even without fully understanding.

Proverbs 4:5 says, “Get wisdom, get understanding” — that is, get heavenly wisdom (with 8 ingredients — see James 3:17) rather than human wisdom (not appropriate for Christians — vv. 12-14 for today).

Misunderstandings can cloud divine and earthly relationships. We often don’t even understand ourselves (Rom 7:15), much less others — I actually spout, “I understand” after “listening” to loved ones. Then I seize the spotlight for which I have been panting, and launch into my own lofty opinions. If you do this also, the Holy Spirit may be making you as sick of these behaviors as He, and others, are!

Write down a list of thoughts you want God to help you identify and to take captive. Today’s list may include: “I have to ‘make’ them understand;” “How can they miss my point?” and “If only they would listen
…” Such self-absorbed thoughts reflect stubbornness, arrogance, pride, blaming, and peevishness. A friend or loved one may be willing to help you become aware of such tendencies.

Let’s do all we can to understand, and help others to understand, God’s Word as “taught by the Spirit” (v. 13). Get heavenly wisdom, and put your words of human wisdom on the back burner — maybe even in the fireplace! Let God give you the understanding you really need. Ask the Holy Spirit for that gift of discernment for when and how to understand others and so
serve them better. It is more important to understand than to be understood. And some kinds of understanding take time (cf. John 13:7).

Only Jesus fully understands — and that’s enough. So don’t expect from others, or yourself, what only God can do; that’s why we need Him!

Today’s Thought to Take Captive (and make obedient to Christ): “Nobody understands me.” Transforming Thought: “Jesus understands me perfectly– and loves me anyway!”