FIGHT LIKE CHRISTIANS
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 New International Version (NIV)
3: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4: The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5: 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. 6: And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
10:3-6 We, like Paul, are merely weak humans, but we don’t need to use human plans and methods to win our battles. God’s mighty weapons are available to us as we fight against Satan’s “strongholds.” The Christian must choose whose methods to use—God’s or the world’s. Paul assures us that God’s mighty weapons—prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit—are powerful and effective (see Ephesians 6:13-18)! These weapons can break down the proud human arguments against God and the walls that Satan builds to keep people from finding God. When dealing with people’s proud arguments that keep them from a relationship with Christ, we may be tempted to use our own methods. But nothing can break down these barriers like God’s weapons. 10:5 Paul uses military terminology to describe this warfare against sin and Satan. God must be the commander in chief—even our thoughts must be submitted to his control as we live for him. Spirit-empowered believers must capture every thought and yield it to Christ. When exposed to ideas or opportunities that might lead to wrong desires, you have a choice. You can recognize the danger and turn away, or you can allow unhealthy thoughts to take you captive. You capture your fantasies and desires when you honestly admit them to the Lord and ask him to redirect your thinking. Life Application Study Bible NIV
ON THE WAY HOME WALK WITH JESUS and ask God to give you the spirit of discernment to keep your thoughts focused on his truth.
onthewayhomeministries.org by RICHARD DEAN BROOKS