OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS -- Tomorrow:
"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Cor 10:1-6)
Devotion 20 of 44
" . . . which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. "
Men must take care that when they are speaking of fundamental things, they use fundamental words. There are certain terms upon which are suspended whole bodies of teaching, concepts, and keys to understanding. "Sound doctrine" employs these terms to make our grasp of the truth more firm. For example, if you were to attempt to understand the Scriptures with a distorted view of "faith," "grace," and "world," your efforts would be in vain. And what of plowing in Scripture while being ignorant of the meaning of "Christ," "covenant," and "salvation?" These are words that cannot be changed at the whims of men, for then they lose their meaning. There are also "sound words" – related to both good and bad – having to do with human expressions: "good works," "believing," "fornication," and "idolatry."
SOUND WORDS
Solemnly, Paul reminds Timothy to "hold fast the form of sound words" (2 Tim 1:13). In this case, the words themselves are a "form" – a sort of container in which the truth of God is carried.
A "sound word" is one that delivers a proper concept, or brings with it a correct view. For example, to the spiritually disciplined mind, the word "faith" summons all kinds of precious considerations into the mind. It brings with it thoughts of God, Christ, salvation, grace, appropriation, and perception. One is brought to consider men like Abraham, and teachings concerning justification. This is precisely why holy men speak, imparting their message, "not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words" (1 Cor 2:13, NASB).
One of the great dangers that has come with the introduction of a multiplicity of Bible translations is that of a distortion of holy vocabulary. Key terms are not being carried over, and thus the body of teaching associated with them is gradually being lost. I understand that many are totally unable to see this. However, I thought it necessary to sound this trumpet of warning, knowing that the thoughtful will take occasion to examine the subject with a mind to pleasing God in their conclusion.
This danger is particularly pertinent when dealing with a generation in which there is a certain deterioration in language – such as our modern American society. In such a generation personal preference is accented, often compelling people to develop a unique language like "ebonics," and the popular "hip-hop" jargon. As attempts are made to speak the things of God in such crude speech, terms gradually are neutered so that they no longer register holy influences upon the mind.
The expression "the flesh" is one of these key terms – a verbalism that brings with it key perceptions of things pertaining to life and godliness. Here is a word that must be understand apart from the laws of language. Like most, if not all, key spiritual words, it is most precisely defined doctrinally.
1. Lexically, the word "flesh" means "the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood" (THAYER). The word is used this way in Scripture: "All FLESH is not the same FLESH: but there is one kind of FLESH of men, another FLESH of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds" (1 Cor 15:39). And again, "But FLESH with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat" (Gen 9:4).
2. The word "flesh" is also used to denote the physical body itself: "Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also MY FLESH shall rest in hope" (Acts 2:26).
3. "Flesh" is also used to describe the whole of humanity. "And God looked upon the earth,
and, behold, it was corrupt; for ALL FLESH had corrupted his way upon the earth" (Gen 6:12). And again, "And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and ALL FLESH shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it" (Isa 40:5).
However, since Jesus, we will find that a special significance has been assigned to the words "the flesh." It has very much to do with "sound doctrine," thinking properly, and understanding what occurred when man fell.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for grace to understand Your word in the manner in which you intended for it to be understood.