The power of our Spiritual weaponry
Key thought: As believers we are fully equipped with divine power to be victorious in the battle the devil wages against us.
We have to understand the battle we are engaged and the kind of weapons we are to use to overcome.
It appears Paul was under attack from some people at Corinth some of who could be fellow believers and ministers.
He appeals to the believers by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, he describes himself as timid when face to face with the believers yet brave when away.
He says when he comes, he would not be bold with those who think that Paul is operating by human standards
So, Paul is saying that when he comes his boldness will not be by human standards because he appreciates that the battle will be fought on a different plane.
Even the though his accusers attack him by human and wordy standards, Paul says our response is to be on the supernatural plane
Believers wage war against the world where the devil attacks us by his standards, the goal is to make us weak in our understanding of God and also our relationship with him.
The biggest pitfall for us as believers is to respond to attacks in the flesh, we have more capable weapons at our disposal.
As we pray against stronghold we don’t do so from a fleshly point of view, because we are already defeated.
Paul says appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, these are some of the spiritual weapons we have.
Mat 5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
These are the standards that Jesus sets up and they look foolish by the standards of the world.
Jesus in this passage, and even Paul above is speaking to believers, it is only believers that can effectively use spiritual weapons.
One passage that clearly talks about the weapons is Ephesians 6
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the (1) belt of truth, and having put on the (2) breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the (3) gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the (4) shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the (5) helmet of salvation, and the (6) sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 (7) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
The weapons of our welfare are powerful be because God works through them
What does our spiritual weapons do?
- They demolish strongholds
- A stronghold in the Old Testament understanding was a place that was strongly fortified.
- In this passage Paul is making reference to our minds and thoughts and in this case a stronghold is anything that opposes God’s will.
- It can be a thought or lies that hides in our mind but influence us into wrong thinking, behavior and sins
- Many times, strongholds are defined by the tangible manifestation but they are ground in out thought systems.
- ‘I can get away with it’, God is all knowing
- ‘God does condone this’ God hates sin
- ’he can’t handle me like – offenses will come
- all these thoughts are against the knowledge of God
- When praying we must pray against the physical or visible manifestation but also the thought pattern behind it
- Complaining and grumbling can be a stronghold, but behind it could many wrong thoughts that have become strongholds
- Strongholds have to be pulled down, the picture of the walls of Jericho
- They demolish arguments
- We destroy all arguments contrary to the will of God.
- There are philosophies in world that are arrogant, arguments and ideas that stand against the counsel of the word of God.
- Reasons that can shift us away from God and shake our foundation in the faith
- All these arguments must be cast down
- They demolish every pretension against the knowledge of God
- The devil will before us opinions that raised high above the knowledge of God.
- Thought that are self-centered, any form of pride is a pretension against the knowledge of God.
- If I think I am better than everyone else, I need to be careful because word of God says I must consider other better.
- Even abasing oneself beyond what God desires can be a pretension against the knowledge of God
- The standard is the word of God
What is the goal?
To take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ, we are not just pulling strongholds and stop there.Christ has to be exalted; every thought must obey Christ!!
We have to renew our minds
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
We have to think good thoughts
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Missional implications
- Pray for people – prayer is a weapon of our warfare, don’t undermine praying in the Spirit
- Expose people to the word of God - sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
- Stand on the righteousness of God – not self-righteousness
- Stand for the truth of God and personal truth
- Protect yourself by your faith in God
- Walk in the assurance of your salvation