Taking Every Thought Captive: Breaking Free From the Lies that Hold Us

September 16, 2025
00:00 27:21
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In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Carol sits down with pastor and author Kyle Idleman to talk about the battle in our minds. Kyle reminds us that our thoughts often lie to us—and if we don’t learn to take them captive, they can spiral into fear, shame, or hopelessness. Together, we discuss how to trace our fears back to root lies, discern truth from deception, and recognize the difference between conviction and condemnation. Kyle shares practical tools to challenge toxic thoughts, the role of Scripture as our weapon, and what it looks like to win small daily victories that lead to lasting transformation.

Whether you’re new to the idea of spiritual warfare in the mind or you’ve wrestled with strongholds for years, this conversation will encourage you that change is possible. With God’s Word, you’re not just managing your thoughts—you’re renewing them.

Resource referenced: Every Thought Captive: Calm the Mental Chaos That Keeps You Stuck, Drains Your Hope, and Holds You Back by Kyle Idleman

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

  1. What lie have you believed about yourself or your circumstances that God is inviting you to confront?
  2. When anxious thoughts spiral, what first step could you take to trace them back to a root lie?
  3. How can you recognize when a thought that “sounds wise” is actually pulling you away from God’s truth?
  4. What practice could help you decide which thoughts deserve “a seat at the table” in your mind—and which don’t?
  5. Which Scripture has most powerfully reshaped your thinking, and how can you internalize it more deeply?
  6. Where do you need to move from simply managing thoughts to actually renewing your mind with God’s truth?
  7. What is one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Find Kyle Idleman:

On his website

On Facebook

On Instagram

Follow his work on Amazon

Find Carol McCracken:

On her website

On Facebook

On Instagram

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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Meet Your Hosts
Jennifer Slattery, founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, is a multi-published author, national speaker, and speaking coach passionate about helping God's children reach their full potential and live fully surrendered to Christ. She is a host on Your Daily Bible Verse and Faith Over Fear. Find her online at https://www.JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com
Carol Ogle McCracken is a fun-loving wedding planner, speaker, Bible teacher, and author who brings to Scripture to inspire a personal, vibrant relationship with Him. Her authentic challenges faced while journeying through alcoholism, raising a child with special needs, and divorce, equip her to teach, entertain and encourage you. Carol currently serves as the Minister of Discipleship at her home church and is a Christian communicator in many different forums, large and small, and especially enjoys teaching at women’s retreats. Her book Wisdom, Where to Find It if You've Lost, Forgotten, or Never Had It was released in November 2020.
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