2 Corinthians 10:4 – “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…”
False teachers in Corinth opposed Paul saying they were powerful and Paul was weak because he did not oppose them in Corinth, but was bold and outspoken when he opposed them through letters. Paul replied that his ‘weakness’ was the manifestation of Christ’s nature in him, of gentleness and kindness. Paul used the good news, about Jesus dying for our sins on the Cross and being resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, to attack the strong opinions against God, instead of using the world’s unfair methods to fight unbelief.
Men who haven’t accepted Christ walk according to the flesh because they do not have the Holy Spirit in them. However, we, who are in Christ, walk in the flesh as mortal men, yet we do not conduct spiritual warfare against Satan using physical weapons. Paul would not use the manipulative and deceitful ways of his opponents. This reliance on carnal methods and the habit of carnal thinking is a true stronghold that sets down deep roots in the heart and mind. The weapons we use are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses; they can pull down strongholds set in the minds and bodies of people by Satan’s wily ways. We can use these weapons to destroy every sophisticated argument or anything that sets itself against the knowledge of God, such as, vasts amounts of human knowledge in multiple areas, debates of various religions, existence of God and His ways, etc.
How are we able to use spiritual warfare?
- God has given us an armor to put on, to be ready for spiritual warfare at any time: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
- The Bible instructs us to be well-versed in God’s Word to be able to defend ourselves.
- The Bible instructs us to take every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ. When we begin to think in the carnal way, we must stop our thoughts, take dominion over them in Jesus, and not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing our minds. Jesus also relied on spiritual weapons, when He came to Earth in obedience, as a sacrifice for us, to fight for our salvation. This humble obedience offended the Corinthian Christians, as it does our society today, because the carnal way is to overpower and out-maneuver. Jesus’ way is to humble yourself, die to yourself, and let God show His resurrection power through you. The world scorns at our spiritual weapons; but it is feared by demonic powers, no principality or power can stand against us. God’s power can break down our strongholds. We belong in God’s family; we were purchased by Jesus with His blood; our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in us from God.
