OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God."
"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 38 of 44
Perhaps it would be best to state some of these "high things" that have "exalted" themselves "against the knowledge of God." Because these have not been "cast down" with Divinely provided and empowered spiritual weapons, they have gained prominence in the thinking of professing Christians.
1. God's love is unconditional. The expression "unconditional love" has become popular within the church, even though it contradicts express statements of Jesus Himself (John 14:21,23; 16:27).
2. God can handle you being angry with Him. This has been popularized since the church has been overrun with counselors. Even though Jonah was asked by God, "Doest thou well to be angry" (Jonah 4:4,9), this saying affirms human anger with God has no effect upon Him.
3. God loves everyone the same. Jesus loved Judas just as much as He did Paul. Foolishly, this is affirmed even though there are people who have been especially noted as being loved by God a condition that could not exist if God loved everyone the same (Deut 7:8; 2 Sam 12:24; 1 Kgs 10:9; Hos 11:1).
4. God never makes anyone sick. This is often affirmed just as though it was in the Bible. We do, however, have as record of people whom God Himself made sick (Lev 14:34; 1 Sam 25:38; 2 Sam 12:15; 2 Kgs 5:27; 2 Chron 13:20; 2 Chron 21:14; 1 Cor 11:30).
5. Storms and calamities do not come from God. Apparently unaware that Satan cannot upstage God or operate without His approval, people boldly say that calamities and catastrophes have nothing whatsoever to do with God – even though He has spoken on this subject (Jer 14:15; 2 Sam 24:15; Isa 28:2; 29:6; Nah 1:3; Isa 45:7). How do those who espouse such folly account – for the flood of Noah's day?
6. The main objective of the church is to win souls. This is a sacred cow in the modern church -- like the golden calf that Israel worshiped. Even though God has clearly stated the purpose of the church, these theological merchants have marketed their own view (1 Tim 3:15; Eph 3:15-20; 4:11-16).
7. The age of miracles has ceased. Although this is never clearly stated in the Word of God, some have taken upon themselves to say that is what First Corinthians 13:8-12 really means. This view is taken even though the concept of "an age of miracles" is never affirmed in Scripture. From the beginning of time, miracles have always been rare and intermittent. The only exception to this was the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus. The proponents of this view ignore the fact that prayers are made for the church to be aware of the "exceeding greatness of the power" that is toward those "who believe" (Eph 1:19), and that God "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us" (Eph 3:20).
The fact that these views, and a host of similar ones, have exercised such an influence in the modern church is owing to its failure to use the weaponry that has been supplied in Christ Jesus. Church leaders have taught us to fight like men, and war after the flesh. As a result, the professing church has become weak and insipid, and its enemies are running roughshod over it.
Paul tells some in Corinth that he will not allow this to happen. The foolish views that they have been entertaining will be thrown down when he arrives. Their only hope is to repent of their inexcusable folly.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to identify and reject thoughts that come in Your name, yet have not really come from You.