OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS "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) Admittedly, this entire text stands in sharp contrast to the kind of thinking that dominates the modern church. One can only imagine the kind of response that would be experienced if someone threatened to use spiritual weaponry against any members of the church. Yet, that is exactly what is declared in this text. -- Tomorrow:
CONCLUSION
This passage also highlights the seriousness of opposing anyone sent to us by God. Jesus would not allow for such rejection when He sent out the twelve: "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city" (Matt 10:14-15). Neither did He allow for a rejection of the seventy when He sent them forth: "But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city" (Luke 10:10- 12).
In itemizing the "whole armor of God," only two offensive weapons were mentioned: "the sword of the Spirit" and "all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Eph 7:17-18). I am not sure that this is intended to be a thoroughly detailed list. In the use of the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, there is also the employment of GODLY REASONING. A point is made of this aspect of spiritual battle in the book of Acts.
1. "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days REASONED with them out of the scriptures" (Acts 17:2).
2. "And he REASONED in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks" (Acts 18:4).
3. "And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and REASONED with the Jews" (Acts 18:19).
4. "And as he REASONED of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" (Acts 24:25).
In all of the above cases, there were effects. In Acts 17, "some of them (Jews) believed," together with a "great multitude" of "devout Greeks, and of the chief women not a few" (17:4). In Acts 18, Paul "persuaded the Jews and the Greeks" (18:4). Later in Acts 18, when Paul reasoned in a Synagogue in Ephesus, the people profited so much from it that they "asked him to stay a longer time" (18:20). In Acts 24, when Paul reasoned with Felix concerning righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, it caused the ruler to "tremble," and he requested that Paul; leave until he had "a more convenient season" (24:25).
In each of these cases, the effectiveness of "the weapons of our warfare" is seen. Even in the case of Felix, where he sent Paul away, his response shows that Paul had demolished the foundation of his thought, moving him to become frightened, and shake as a feeble leaf in the wind.
OUR DAY
It seems to me that our day is marked by a woeful deficiency in the employment of spiritual weaponry. There are too many faulty religious systems of thought – "strongholds" – that have not been "pulled down." There are an abundance of modes of religious thought – "imaginations" – that have not been "cast down." There are also a plentitude of erroneous sayings and aphorisms – "high things" that exalt themselves "against the knowledge of God" – and yet have not been "cast down."
The jargon of the philosopher and the theology of the sectarian has blown into the church with hurricane force, toppling the faith of many, and firmly anchoring people to "this present evil world." Yet, instead of the church producing warriors to engage these inimical forces, it is producing entertainers, monotone singers, and a few boring lecturers.
It is time for the church to assume a militant stance instead of huddling in the valley like the Israelites when Goliath shouted out his challenges. The "whole armor of God" is to be "put on" (Eph 6:10). The "good fight of faith" is to be fought (1 Tim 6:12). We are to "wrestle against" principalities and powers, engaging them in warfare. There are "vain talkers and deceivers," subverting "whole houses," whose "mouths must be stopped" (Tit 1:11). There are "gainsayers" to be "convinced" by "sound doctrine" and effective exhortation (Tit 1:9). There are "heretics," factious (NASB) and divisive (NIV) men, who must be admonished and, if they do not heed the admonition, rejected (Tit 3:10).
This is certainly a day for the wise and effective use of "the weapons of our warfare." If God has given them to us, then it seems to me that we are obliged to use them, and to do so with the utmost confidence and spiritual dexterity.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, raise up an army of spiritual warriors who can use the effective weaponry You have supplied.