Q: What "leads" a unbeliever to repentance?
A: It is the "kindness" of God that leads to repentance. "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance (Rom 2:4)?" God's kindness, or favor as some like to say, is exemplified in His tolerance and patience with the unbeliever. The entire Gospel message is an example of God's kindness. God demands perfect obedience from mankind or death. Jesus took both options for us. He lived a perfectly sinless and obedient life and then died a death we deserved. There is no other act of love greater than that and no other example of kindness either. All an unbeliever has to do is accept Christ's sacrifice on their behalf and His offer of resurrected life as free gift. God has done everything for an unbeliever to save them other than force them to enter His presence. Furthermore, while He patiently waits for them to come to Him by faith He allows them to enjoy this world, while at the same time constantly trying to get them to repent of their unbelief.
To an unbeliever, God died for you. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)." To an unbeliever, God is no longer holding your sins against you. "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them (2 Cor 5:19)." To an unbeliever, God is offering you His very life restored to you as free gift. "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live (John 11:25)." To an unbeliever, God is patiently waiting for you to accept all that He offers you through faith in Christ. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Ptr 3:9)." To an unbeliever, God wants you to have eternal life. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10)." To an unbeliever, all you have to do is turn from your unbelief in Jesus Christ and accept His offer of forgiveness and life. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15)." What are you waiting for?
Q: Why is it important to take every negative thought "captive"?
A: It is important to take every thought, not just negative thoughts, captive. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul writes, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Paul is telling us that every idea, subject or claim that is against the truth that God has revealed needs to be imprisoned, restrained or confined so that it does not lead people astray. Just one verse prior Paul talks about using "God's mighty weapons" to "knock down the Devil's strongholds." As we already know, the battle we wage as Christians is for control of our minds. When an idea takes root in our minds it eventually has control over all of our body and actions. Obviously, in Corinth, at the time Paul wrote this second letter there were people who were leading the saints astray from the truth because of "appearance (verse 7)." How many Christians today are led astray by people who look good?
It is unfortunate that because someone is "tall, dark and handsome," speaks eloquently and/or is dressed to impress that we assume they are speaking the truth and have our best interest in mind. That is why it is all the more important to heed the warning of Paul and take every thought "captive." If the truth sets you free then error will put you in bondage. And if you don't know the truth, Jesus, His Word, the Bible, and how to rightly divide the scripture, discernment, you will find yourself an easy target for those with "rebellious ideas" who claim to "belong to Christ." "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:11-12)." When you are so familiar with the truth you will be able to spot a counterfeit in an instant and take their ideas captive so as not to be influenced by the Devil's strongholds. Be blessed.
Q: How do you know when Jesus is "speaking" to you?
A: God speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son (Heb 1:1-2)." Jesus speaks to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words (1 Cor 2:13)." And the Holy Spirit only teaches us what God, the Father, wants to reveal to us. "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me (John 8:28)." Each Christian has our own, individual, relationship with the Lord. He reveals things to us and matures us in ways unique to each person. However, it is never inconsistent with His Word or who we are as His children. Personally, I believe that when God speaks to you it is in a way that you would never had thought of yourself or discovered on your own.
For example, have you ever been studying scripture and then, all of a sudden, a word or verse seemingly jumps off the page to you? I believe that is God speaking to you and teaching you. Did the Bible use to be difficult to read and put you to sleep? But, now does it keep you awake and turning the pages desiring more? That is God speaking to you and teaching you. Have you ever heard a person speak about God and it just "didn't seem right" or "didn't line up with scripture"? That is God speaking to you. Have you ever spoke about God, whether through teaching or in a conversation, and said something you have never said before, but spoke volumes to both you and the listener? That is God speaking and teaching through you. There is no formula or behavior to invoke, just being available to Him is all He wants. When the time is right, He will speak to you. Just remember you have two ears and one mouth for a reason. It is to listen more than you speak. "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come (John16:13)." Be blessed.
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