“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Every day that we live on this earth, there is an unseen war raging. It is an epic battle of good versus evil, and the hearts of mankind are at stake. Sometimes we can sense the fighting, and sometimes we cannot…but either way, it is real and ongoing. Throughout the New Testament, Christians are exhorted to be ready, to stand firm, to be strong, to never stop praying, to abide in Christ, and to have on the full armor of God.
Today's key passage makes a comparison between the weapons used by God’s people and the weapons of the world. We do not fight in the same way, or for the same things. How are the weapons different? Ours are not carnal – they are not of the flesh. We do not depend on what worldly people do to advance the cause of Christ. Our dependence is not on eloquence, talent, education, wealth, beauty, or anything else external. While these things are not bad, they should not be the weapons in our hands.
The weapons we use have no inherent value or power in and of themselves. Their strength is from God alone. While Paul does not name these weapons specifically in this passage, he had written of them earlier in this letter to Corinth (2 Corinthians 6:6-7). Our weapons are true and pure. They come from God and they lead to Him as He accompanies them with His power to the hearts of those who hear the gospel.
How incredible, in this world that is literally deteriorating before our eyes and taking countless souls with it, that our ministry can be powerful and effective through the blessing of God and the influence of His grace and Spirit for the conversion of sinners, the building up of the Church, the defense of truth, and the enlargement of Christ’s kingdom, not to mention the destruction of Satan’s!
As a Christ follower, are you fighting faithfully for Christ’s glory? If so, are you using the right weapons? You don’t have to know all the answers and speak with eloquence and charm…you need only be willing and walking in God’s Spirit.
Gracious LORD, thank You for equipping me for every good work. Please help me to depend on You and fight using Your weapons and not anything of this world. And above all, help me to love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Topics: Spiritual Warfare
