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 26 of 44
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal . . . "
You cannot fight the battles of the Lord as a mere man, and yet employ the weaponry supplied by God. In order to use His weapons, you must fight as a child of God, a citizen of heaven, and a person who is NOT the friend of this world. The weapons of the Lord do not fit the hand of flesh, and thus the flesh is not able to wield them.
These weapons are the "weapons of OUR warfare." They are not made for the use of angels. If we are going to "fight the good fight of faith" – and fight we must – then these are the weapons we muse use. This is how Paul will fight, and it is how we must fight as well.
OUR WEAPONS
"For the weapons . . . " Other versions read, "the arms" (BBE), and "the very weapons" (PHILLIPS).
"Weapons" are arms used in warfare. They are intended to be used in waging a battle INITIATIVE. In Ephesians, we are urged to "put on the whole armor of God." This "armor" is largely used for defensive purposes, and is designed to enable us to "stand against the wiles of the devil." The "armor" consisted of a belt that held the armor together ("truth"), a breastplate that protected the vital organs ("righteousness"), protection for the feet (the "Gospel of peace"), a shield to ward off the fiery darts of the wicked one ("faith"), and a helmet of protection for the head, or the mind ("salvation"). The only offensive weapons were a sword (the "Word of God"), and "all prayer and supplication" (Eph 6:10-18). This is the "whole armor of God." Its purpose is to enable us to "STAND against the wiles of the devil," and to "withstand in the evil day" (Eph 6:11,13). They protect us during the time of fierce assault, when the forces of darkness launch an attack against us.
In this text, however, we are speaking of another aspect of the Divine arsenal. Here we are not speaking of standing firm against a relentless assault, but of launching an initiative against adversarial influences. These are offensive weapons, not defensive armor! You may be sure, they will be employed only while the faithful soldier is wearing "the armor of God."
By saying "the weapons" (the definite article "the" is used), the Spirit is telling us that there are specific weapons, designed for the battle in which we are engaged. No other weapons can possibly be effective. God will not empower weapons that He has not provided, and Satan will not yield to weapons that have been created by men.
Do not forget that Paul is speaking of how he will confront those who have remained his enemies, even though he had begged them not to provoke him to use the powerful spiritual weapons that are at his disposal. Paul will not simply "stand" during their grievous assaults, but will launch an initiative himself that they will not be able to withstand. This is not his preference, but if they do not place their hands over their mouths and amend their ways, he will go on the initiative when he meets them "face to face."
We are catching a small glimpse of the ferocity of the battle into which faith brings us. Here, the fight is taken to certain professed members of the church – the body of Christ: certainly, a most sobering consideration.
Spiritual leadership is not for the young and the squeamish, or those who are disposed to run at the sound of a falling leaf. Those, such as certain in Corinth, who dared to opposed a man of truth had acted very foolishly.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in then name of Jesus, I thank You for effective spiritual weaponry.