Scripture:
II Corinthians 10:1-6 NKJV
[1] Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. [2] But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. [3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] 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, [6] and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Observation:
Although there are only 2 letters that have been preserved in the bible. Most biblical scholars believe that there were more than 2 letters written to the church in Corinth. In fact some would argue that 4 letters were written. That’s just an interesting fact that I found a few years ago, as I was researching about the spiritual book that we get our road map to life from. As you know, for the last few mornings I have been studying about spiritual warfare. It’s something I have been dealing with for several months. It’s also something to know about because if you are not facing it now you will at some point. Knowing the enemy and his tactics helps expose the things he does in a manner that brings glory to GOD and no one else. What is known as Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth gives us a little insight on how to demolish a foot hold that the enemy has established. As his ministry was under attack, accusations of being weak and timid were being thrown around by what was seemingly his opponent. Little dude they know the spiritual giant that they were about to come into contact with. As Paul starts his teaching in chapter 10 of this letter, he uses some words that are often associated with weakness in our mind but honestly are nothing of the sort. In fact the work meekness is truly the exact opposite of weakness. The definition can be seen in Christ Jesus as HE hung on the cross. HE had the power to remove HIMSELF but controlled it, because HE knew that HIS death had a bigger purpose. The definition for meekness is, “power under control” it’s not that Paul can’t be bold and arrogant. He is choosing not to. His gentle approach will bring better results. That is what he explains as he moves forward saying,”who in presence am lowly among you. Paul knew that his life would serve as an example and although he had the utmost confidence, the control of his emotions in times of confrontation would prove to be the key to the headway that would be made. It’s not that he could not be bold, it’s that he chose not to allow the flesh to determine the results of this issue. Something I’m sure we all could learn something about. You see Paul knew that what he was facing were not men trying to tear down his ministry. It was a battle that ran so much deeper than that. It was a battle that had been going on from the beginning of time, and it could not be won with fleshly tactics. You could not just get madame yell or leave and the problem be solved. It had to be handled through the fruit that only comes from the Holy Spirit. The cornerstone of our SOAP this morning is in verses 2 through 5 walking according to the flesh will never yield spiritual results in fact it only yields corruption. What Paul is teaching is that it won’t work that way. Even though our physical makeup is flesh we are spiritual beings and we have to learn how to fight evil with love. Paul tells the church, “ 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.” With all the miles that Paul walked in order to spread the gospel. I’m sure he had time inside his head. Time to think out his approach, mowing over every word refining ever spoken thought. So as to bring out the very best results for the kingdom. After all as believers in Christ our goal should not be any different than his. Build the kingdom. In Matthew chapter 28 we get those orders. GO and make disciples. That word means students. Paul’s life and ministry was just that. He knew that he could not do it the way he was… before the Damascus road experience. It had to be done in a spiritual manner. The physical one only brought death and distraction.
Application:
Pride and unforgiveness, condemnation and judgment are all weapons that the enemy has been using for thousands of years. It’s time to put them down. We look at people and we think we know what their problem is, but let me ask you something… isn’t that what Job’s friends did as well. They could have swore that it was all his fault. But it was a spiritual battle between entities so much bigger than could be seen. He was a righteous man. What I am saying is that we can not do away with evil by being evil to those who have wronged us. There is another way. It’s GOD’S way. Running to GOD and HIS word is our only answer. Reacting from our flesh will only reap distinction. Believe me this is something I know all too well, and honestly I feel it deeper than I have ever felt it before. Fighting our battles from our knees almost seems like we are not doing anything but honestly it’s when everything is being done. This whole life is not about us. The pain and suffering that comes is all for HIS glory. HIS plan is so much bigger than the 80 or 90 years we will have. If we are living for those 80 or 90 years. We are living for the wrong reason. We have to live for the kingdom that is coming. Our weapons require it. GOD is a generational GOD, HE explains that every time HE identifies HIMSELF after Jacob by saying, “ I am the GOD of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. This war is not going to go away after this battle is over. It will only go away when Jesus comes back. So we have to learn how to fight it. I can tell you from experience, anger, resentment, wrath, fits of rage…. They won’t work. You have to meet people with grace, mercy and forgiveness. Our approach has to be Christ-like. This is something I’m not always good at. That’s why I am so grateful to my Father in heaven, HE is so patient with me, HE knows exactly how to fix what I mess up, HE knows the battles we face, and if we will slow down long enough to hear HIM HE will guide us into all righteousness. My suggestion is to get inside HIS word. That is the weapon needed to fight the battle you are facing. It’s what I am doing. Honestly even though I was not writing. I did not stop taking in HIS word. But I believe this is one of my callings. I just can’t stop or rest on what has been done. The spiritual battlefield won’t just go away. So we have to learn how to fight in. A Christian with no dents in his armor is just on the sidelines. Not even in the game. Jesus was beaten within an inch of HIS life hung on a cross. John was boiled in oil Peter hung upside down on a cross, some of the disciples were made into Roman candles. If you don’t know what that is, research it. Love is the greatest weapon we have.
Prayer:
Father, I will admit I do not know how to fight. But I know that your Holy Spirit can teach me. I try to put these biblical principles into place but I’m sure I make mistakes. I’m not just asking for me, father. I’m asking for all who call themselves followers of Christ, to show us how to fight this battle. We know it’s a battle that you have already won. It’s just that we get caught up in our emotions and we think we know better than you how to handle it. Help us to move slowly and go to the word that you have written on our hearts. Kindness, mercy, forgiveness, longsuffering, help us to put those characteristics to work in our life. We do not want to be trapped inside ourselves. We place our will at the foot of the cross, and pick up the plan you have for us. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.