Discipleship: Strongholds and the mighty weapons of our warfare

In case you hadn't noticed, Christianity and the Judeo -Christian values of Western culture are under attack. As I said before, the prince of darkness has been discipling the nations. And if the Lord is to heal our land, then there are many things we need to repent of (2 Chronicles 7:14). Rather than being salt and light to the culture we have isolated ourselves, while at the same time being and more and more conformed to the world. This morning we are starting to examine “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Paul is being accused of timidity, and of acting in worldly ways (“according to the flesh” verses 1, 2). As with the armour, Paul uses a military metaphor. The war is primarily spiritual, and the resources to fight it are also spiritual (vv. 3, 4; Ephesians 6:12; Zechariah 4:6). Though the context of this passage is of Paul's dealing with the Corinthian church, the principles and strategies of spiritual warfare it contains are much more widely applicable. In particular, the Christian's weapons are mighty (have dunamos power) to pull down strongholds. Strongholds are interlocking thoughts and ideas that ultimately come from the enemy (Ephesians 6:12), and which he plants in our minds, and uses to promote and fortify his philosophies (verse 5). The weapons enable the defeat of arguments, lofty prideful attitudes, and of ideas that look down contemptuously on orthodox Christian teaching and morality. The lofty arguments of our day include arrogant expressions of atheism, and the proud and often self righteous accusations levelled against all Christians, accusing us of hate and fear while at the same time claiming that their positions are virtuous.

The passage also points to the need of church discipline (Paul's willingness to punish all disobedience), but only after full obedience to the apostolic teaching. Where obedience is not fulfilled, the Lord needs to deal with us first (v. 6)! Another thing to mention, is that the Corinthian church is under apostolic authority, and points to the need for a serious discussion in the Church about five fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11). Being under apostolic authority, is not the same as the church being an institution by the way!” But in closing this morning I want to say that just because the problems are the same inside and outside the church, does not mean we deal with them the same way (1 Corinthians 5:10). And one of the most important tasks of the church in this age is to understand the times and to know what to do in both areas (1 Chronicles 12:3).

Father, not only do we need to understanding the times and to know what to do, we need to know our weapons, how to use them, and how they are so very different from the world's. Thank You Lord for those You are raising up to confront the culture, both those within the faith and without, in particular for what we can learn from the debates on line. Help us to study to be approved unto God, and to discern Your leading in in knowing what to do in Jesus Name Amen