⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 3 min read
Every day, Christians encounter competing ideas through conversations, social media, entertainment, education, and the surrounding culture. Some ideas are true, while others sound convincing but lead away from the truth of God’s Word.
In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why careful thinking is an essential part of the Christian life. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 10:5, he considers what it means to take every thought captive to obey Christ and evaluate every idea according to Scripture.
Christians are not called to accept every popular claim or persuasive argument. They are called to think carefully, examine assumptions, consider where ideas lead, and bring every area of their thinking under the authority of Jesus Christ.
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Key Scripture
“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
Thinking Carefully as a Christian
Thinking is not separate from the Christian life. Scripture calls believers to love God with both the heart and the mind. Careless thinking leads to confusion, while careful and intentional thinking helps Christians remain grounded in truth.
Biblical critical thinking is not about becoming argumentative, suspicious, or intellectually proud. Its purpose is obedience to God. Christians evaluate ideas so that their thoughts, convictions, and actions increasingly conform to the truth revealed in Scripture.
Questions Christians Should Ask
- Is this idea true?
- Does it align with the Word of God?
- What assumptions does it make?
- Where will this idea ultimately lead?
- Does accepting it help me obey Christ?
How Christians Grow in Critical Thinking
- Commit to reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.
- Participate faithfully in the life of a biblical local church under qualified male pastors.
- Be willing to question what you hear rather than accepting it immediately.
- Slow down and carefully consider the assumptions behind an idea.
- Ask God to shape your thinking according to His truth.
Episode Highlights
- Thinking carefully is part of faithful Christian living.
- Not every popular or persuasive idea is true.
- Scripture provides the standard for evaluating competing claims.
- Christians should examine the assumptions behind every idea.
- Taking every thought captive means submitting the mind to Christ.
- The goal of critical thinking is obedience to God.
- Biblical discernment grows through Scripture, prayer, and the local church.
Grow in Biblical Discernment
Explore more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A and learn how to think biblically, recognize deception, and stand firm in the truth of God’s Word.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
