For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ[.] 2 Corinthians 10: 4, 5, NKJV
Thank You Lord, for giving us the weapons we need to pull down ”strongholds,” and cast “down arguments,” and everything that attempts to exalt itself against the knowledge of the living God, in Jesus’ name. Amen
Today we continue where we left off yesterday. In the story of the two sisters I will liken forgiveness to a spiritual weapon that destroyed the stronghold that had kept this woman a prisoner for ten long years! This weapon brought into captivity her own thoughts of enmity against her sister; then she was willing to obey God’s command to forgive others as God, for Christ’s sake, had forgiven her.
The NRSV renders this promise, including verse three, in the following words: “Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Keeping this text in its immediate context, the church at Corinth seemed to have been having a problem with pride and boasting, which are definitely human tendencies. Some seemed to think that Paul’s letters are far too boastful. Paul defends his position by stating that his intentions in writing the letters is not to intimidate, but that they were written for the purpose of ”building you up, and not for tearing you down;” for this cause God had given him the authority (8, 9). His recommendation was, if there is any boasting to do, it should be done in the Lord. Self-recommendation does not bring approval. God’s commendation is the only thing that matters (17, 18).
These were more or less the circumstances that may have served as the basis for writing this portion of the letter where our promise is found. With the intention of encouraging the community of faith, Paul reminds them of the nature of our Christian weapons. They are not of the flesh. Our weapons are not designed to destroy each other; they are created to destroy strongholds (those tendencies for which we would rather die, than let go of, my way, my agenda, my plan). Our weapons are crafted to destroy human philosophies that minimize the power of the gospel, and every stumbling block of pride; anything that dares to rise up against the knowledge of Christ.
Therfore, every thought we entertain must be subject to “Thus saith the Lord.” Any thought that defiles, has no place in the life of the child of God. Our weapons are not of the flesh, because our warfare is “not with flesh and blood,” but against “spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6: 12, NRSV). We need the “breastplate of righteousness” (14) to keep the heart right. We need ‘the preparation of the gospel of peace,” (15) to run God’s errands, and keep busy in righteousness. We need the “shield of faith,” (16) to ignore the lies of the devil. We need the “helmet of salvation” to preserve the hope in salvation by faith in Jesus alone; and we need the “sword of the Spirit – the word of God to “make us wise unto salvation” (17). We need to pray always,” (18) because “prayer changes things.”
God has provided us with powerful spiritual weapons; by His grace, and for His glory, let us use them!