Every Thought Captive: Calm the Mental Chaos That Keeps You Stuck, Drains Your Hope, and Holds You Back

by Kyle Idleman

Discover the biblical, neurological, and emotional keys to transforming destructive patterns of thinking into a renewed mind--one thought at a time.

Whether we wrestle with anxiety, harmful thoughts about ourselves, or mental spirals that hold us back from spiritual growth and healthy relationships, many of us wish we could control our thoughts rather than let them control us.

As the senior pastor of one of the largest churches in America, bestselling author Kyle Idleman has seen the power of right thinking transform lives, including his own. In Every Thought Captive, Kyle points us to the tools we need to get our thoughts into submission so we can live a fuller and more joy-filled life. If you feel frustrated and discouraged in your battle to take control of your thoughts, this biblically rich, practical book will help

Learn to identify the five thinking patterns that sabotage your life and relationship with GodEncourage your brain's neural network to develop new ways of thinking that are consistent with your valuesStart getting "unstuck" immediately as you implement simple but profound practices like "Win the Morning" and "Say It Out Loud"Understand what transformed thinking looks like in the unique context of your lifeWhat you think about creates your attitudes, governs your emotions, determines your behavior, shapes your relationships, and ultimately defines your life. But armed with God's wisdom and fresh truth about brain health, you can take control over your thoughts and embrace the full and flourishing life you long for.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Faith, Audiobook, Psychology, Christian Non Fiction

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Kyle Idleman is the teaching pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, the fifth largest church in America. The bestselling author of the award-winning book Not a Fan and AHA is a frequent speaker at conferences and events around the world. Kyle and his wife, DesiRae, have four children.

Reviews

[Uncle Gonzo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third Kyle Idleman book I’ve read. I have the same issue with all three. He writes on important topics, and I believe he presents good information about them. But he frequently misuses Scripture out of context. He will be making a good point. A Biblically valid point. But he will use a verse out of context that doesn’t actually speak to his topic to make his point. Basically he uses the wrong scripture to make a right point. I don’t think this is okay, especially from a pastor and teacher. He either doesn’t understand the context, or he is purposely misusing Scripture. In either case it’s bad.

[Madeleine Longmeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great easy, short read. Basically if atomic habits, a neuroscientist, and a pastor had a baby. I loved kyle’s last book so i had a feeling i would love this one. 4 instead of 5 bc i wish he had gone even deeper in some parts. Really enjoyed the biblical perspective as opposed to a self-help perspective.

[Whitney Hopperton · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟
•Combo of scientific info, psychology, theology,, counseling and therapy
•Very helpful examples
•Great story teller
•Biblical connections
•Theological truths
•Practical and tangible application
•wonderful topic and helpful information on dealing with thinking/ thoughts in the midst of our crazy life

Very timely read for me! I’m thankful I picked it up when I did. Taking away some good points and helpful tips and biblical application for renewing my mind.

[Jane Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for any Christian who cares about how our thoughts affect our deeds. Practical and challenging.

[Bryan Paul Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely Book for Me

I started the book because I’m a fan of the author. To be honest, the book didn’t immediately resonate with me until a couple of chapters in, a crisis happened in my life. My thoughts of fear due to uncertainty took over my thoughts.

Then this book mattered. It became exactly what I needed to read.

I instantly put the strategies to work because I had to take every thought captive.

Grateful for the boom and how God times and aligns what we need in our lives.

[London Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.9/5)
Overall, a good combination of neuroscience and theology. Pretty easy to read and clear as to what the message is.

[Jill Hurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was awesome! I learned so much and am trying to do some of the things he mentioned in the book to keep my thoughts captive. It's really crazy how our thoughts are so influenced and what effect that has on our perspective of things. One change each morning can make a world of difference. It did take me a bit to read this because I treated it as a study. I read a chapter at a time, took notes, read Scripture, studied, and reflected on what I read. So the way I handled this book was different than just reading a book.

[Madilyn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great discussion of different thought patterns! Powerful examples, parables, and scientific explanations! Rooted in Scripture and deeply illuminating. Walking away feeling encouraged and more equipped with practical tools to follow 2 Cor. 10:5.

[Otis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, such an amazingly awesome book. My Wednesday’s Men’s small group is currently going through RightNow media study, which is one of the reasons I wanted to read it. And let to just state here, it does not disappoint.

I read other books by Pastor Idleman. All have been great. This one here hits differently for some reason. I believe the material within, if applied and practiced, will be life altering. This material is biblically sound.

Thanks to Kyle and his team with getting this information out to the world. I better for having invested my time. My recommendation to others is to take the steps to a transformed you and read this book. Blessings

[HD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such clear analogies and specific hints at how we can renew our minds and retrain our neuro pathways. Alderman combines faith and science to show how we can step by step take on the overwhelming process of redirecting our thoughts.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid CBT primer with a heavy theological base. Could totally see recommending this to the right reader, but didn’t feel like it was groundbreaking for me personally. Listened on audio.

[Anna Grace Paulovkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good in-depth book on how to take your thoughts captive and channel them into something positive rather than negative. He tells lots of helpful stories and goes into the science behind why our brains think the way they do.

He gives tips on how to change negative thought patterns and redirect them. Lots of scripture references that were helpful. I enjoyed the chapter on the power of our thoughts and the patterns of distractions. Great content and the audio was well done.

“Your mind is a garden and your thoughts are seeds and everything you see and listen to are causing it to grow with weeds or good fruit.”

[Jenna]

Read this book with my Discpleship group. The videos paired with the book helped with discussion. The first half of the book was really well done in moving beyond mainstream self help methods and grounding it in spiritual factors that happen in our thoughts. That really impressed me. But somewhere along the way we lost that gripping and it felt like that engagement was not as prioritized and it at times geared towards other self help methods with Jesus perspectives built in for the rationale of the method. Disappointing but still good if paired with good discussions and practice throughout the weeks.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle was the pastor when I was a member at Southeast Christian Church. I listened to this book using the Libby App with my local free public library.

While certainly geared toward Christians, this book may be used by anyone who wants to make better use of the thoughts they have daily running through their heads. Filled with techniques to use, the information provides insight in both how to better control the things we think about and tell ourselves as well as the rationale behind why controlling our thoughts is important to our own wellbeing.

Strongly recommend this book.

[Rebecca Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good, thought-provoking read. I’ll be honest—my mind wandered at times, but that almost felt fitting given the subject matter. Even when I drifted, I still walked away with some really meaningful takeaways. The book does a great job of gently calling out how often our thoughts run unchecked and reminding us that we actually have more control than we think. It wasn’t a nonstop page-turner for me, but the messages stuck, and I found myself reflecting on them long after I put the book down. Overall, a solid read with practical reminders I appreciated.

[Billy Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting, worthwhile read! The author has drawn inspiration from words and passages of the Scripture and offered several practical suggestions and tips throughout the book. The writing is well structured with real-life anecdotes, parables, and Bible passages with interpretation and insights. Hoping and praying that the book challenges readers to action as it did to me! Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC!

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed Every Thought Captive, it seemed like more like a self-help book focused on psychology than Scriptural application. This sadly seems to be a theme with Idleman’s previous book as well. And while Scripture is still present, I can’t help but notice usage of the Message translation infiltrating Idleman’s books more recently. I also missed the humorous and witty anecdotes in the form of footnotes I have come to expect and enjoy from Kyle’s writing.

[Jessi Chaffin Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

OWN
This book was definitely one to ponder later. It really helps you to be reflective and examine your thoughts. it also shifts your perspective to things of heaven as opposed to earthly things. there are tools to apply and I hope I can remember them because I believe they are helpful!
Its inspired me to take a much needed break from social media and get up early to 'win the morning!' with Jesus🙏

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m just not a fan of Kyle Idleman’s “teachings.” Too much fluff, too many stories, and not enough real Bible application. While I understand he used Bible verses to make his point, it’s like he googled singular verses that fit around his narrative instead of the Bible being the foundation. I tried it as a recommendation and, ironically, even though this is about taking thoughts captive and thinking more positively, unfortunately, it did not change my feelings about his preaching style.

[⋆. 𐙚 ˚Delilah (Saved by Jesus) ⋆. 𐙚 ˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. A really good self-help book built around corrective ridicule. The humor and sarcasm made the hard truths easier to swallow and easy to understand. Quite a few grammar mistakes yet still bearable! Love the way the books is split up into chapters, and how it has journaling lines. Would reread!

[Gina Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. It combines psychology, neuroscience, and Christianity all so well. It was relatable and the way Kyle writes this, it is easy to understand how to make small changes each day in your thought process. I will be referring this to family, friends and colleagues. Thank you for another great book Kyle!

[Mycah Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a PMHNP student and long-time student of psychological conditions, this book was excellent. Easy to follow, rich in scripture to support thought patterns introduced by psychologists from the beginning. An excellent resource for anyone, including psych providers and those struggling with mental health disorders. (Or ANYONE, really.)

[Dave Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very practical, Biblically based book on taking every thought captive. Instead of letting our thoughts control us...the bad/negative thoughts, making us anxious, fearful and chaotic...take those thoughts captive...give them over to God then see and live the difference. As Idleman writes: "Calm the mental chaos that keeps you stuck, drains your hope and holds you back." Nice!

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always learn a lot from Idleman's books and love his engaging writing style. We studied this one in our ladies bible study and it led to a lot of great discussion. Hopefully this one will stay with me for a long time and help me make some lasting changes.

[Renee Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - made me change the way I see my thoughts! Its very thought provoking and I'm looking forward to putting some of Kyle's suggestions into play!
Kyle's style of writing is easy to follow...

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transformation

This book sets in motion biblical and rationale for transformation of our thoughts. It provides individual growth by controlling our thoughts and choices. It will be a go to reference.. for all time!!

[Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. So much to think on and be reminded of. Simple and clearly written with a lot of practical things to apply to my life. Pointing to Christ not myself. Keen to revisit one.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful and relevant book to read! Kyle’s pastoral voice comes through clearly as he shows us how modern neuroscience aligns with truths of scripture. We can rewire our brains to think on what is true, beautiful, and good. Everyone ought to read this poignant text.

[Jim Klock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the power of our thoughts…both Biblically and psychologically. The author weaves neuroscience facts with Biblical truths to instruct us in reframing any negative narrative we entertain. I’m a clinical social worker and I have heartily recommended this book to several clients.

[Dawn Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book thinking about what you’re thinking about

Transformational! My husband and I read this book together and was life changing. I have recommended it to all my friends and family! It will change your life if you think about what you think about.