Scripture:
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 ESV
[1] I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— [2] I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. [3] For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. [5] We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ, [6] being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Observation:
When we look at how Paul presents himself, it’s clear that he is willing to be bold if necessary, but it’s not his desire. What he hopes to show is the gentleness of Jesus Christ being meek in his presentation. When face to face, but bold in his letters. He was a very educated man. Who learned the law at the feet of a desired teacher. He could probably talk circles around most. But that wasn’t his desire. Sure, he wanted to correct the behavior that was wrong, but in a manner that it would be received. His request was that the issues that were brought to his attention be taken care of before he got there so that he could be a little more friendly. As he points out in more than one of his letters. We are not to walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. Paul was not afraid of confrontation and was prepared for what needed to happen to correct what was being done. However, as I Saud before, he was hoping to have a peaceful visit for the most part. This thing is Paul saw the spiritual battle that goes on, and he knew that this was part of it, and the only sword that would fix it was GODsword. It was not a battle of flesh, and fleshly weapons would do nothing. You can not fight a spiritual war with carnal weapons. Spiritual war requires spiritual weapons. So, let’s talk about strongholds. They start in the mind they are thought patterns that direct our thinking. Paul knew that these were a problem with the Corinthians and was giving them the tools to defeat them. Taking every thought into captivity and making it obedient to the will of GOD.
Application:
Our battle starts in our minds. Have you ever been sitting in church and thought about something you knew was not right? Or have you been having a conversation with someone, and your mind goes to a place it shouldn’t? I mean, if you are a human, this has probably happened to you. I know it has me. What about when you are out in public and you see someone who is very attractive and your eyes follow them for a minute, then you start to think things you shouldn’t? The battle we face starts with the way we think. In Romans chapter 7, Paul talks about it in depth. In short, he asks why do I find myself doing the very thing I know I’m not supposed to, and I don’t do the things I know I should. It makes no sense. The battle that is in our thinking can only be handled one way. We have to change the way we think. But that’s not easy. In fact, it’s probably going to take a lifetime to do. But it starts with finding out what we need to be thinking about. Renewing our minds is a process. Staying in GOD’S word consistently is the key. I don’t know how long it would take, but I do know that if I stopped reading the bible on a daily basis, it wouldn’t take long for people to notice at all. So, renewing our minds daily is important. So the question remains, what is it that we are to think about? Well, glory be to GOD because HE has given us that answer as well. If we fix our mind on the things of GOD… things that are good, things that are righteous, things that are pure, and things that are holy. We will be off to a good start. This change in thinking is probably not going to happen overnight, and there will be times that you will have to force yourself to change the thoughts you have going on. But it’s the key to this battle we are in. Our mind is stronger than we might think. The Bible says, “So a man thinks there for he is.” You have to think your way into right living. You can not live your way into right thinking. So let’s change the Chanel, fill your mind with the word of GOD, and when those thoughts hit, you redirect them.
Prayer:
Father, we do not want to be misguided by the way we think. We ask that you would renew our minds. Give us the mind of Christ. Help us to focus our thoughts on HIM. Paying no attention to the things that distract us from your purpose for us. As we step out of the boat, let our eyes be fixed on Jesus thinking about HIM as we walk on water. Having a renewed mind and a right spirit. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray amen.