(2)A Holy Defense • 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

The book of 2 Cor. deals with 3 major areas:

1. Ministry: chp.1-7

2. Money: chp.8-9

3. Motive: chp.10-13

We have finished up chp.8-9: that deal with Money or Giving: we looked at 3 different aspects of Giving…

1. Power for Giving: chp.8:

2. Principles about Giving: chp.9:1-7

3. Promises in Giving: chp.9:8-15

2. Current Study’s Overview

This brings us to chps.10: as we begin the final section of the Book dealing with the area of Paul Defending His Authority.

Because Paul’s 1st letter to Corinth was very hard hitting... he exposed the fact they were Divisive... Sexually Immoral... Unethical... Idolatrous... problems in the Worship Services... they were messed up...

So he wrote 1 Cor. to straighten them out as it were... but there were many who were Critical of Paul for that... & they questioned his Motives & Authority for writing that letter... so here in chp.10-13 Paul deals with it...

So let’s pick up our reading in vs.1 reading down through vs.6 in our study today... read. 2 things:

1. Accusation against Paul: vs.2b.

2. Apostolic authority of Paul: vs.1-6.

1. The Accusation Against Paul Vs. 2b

in chp.7:8-16 we know many believers in Corinth accepted Paul’s Authority... because their Godly sorrow produced repentance unto salvation...

But there was a small group of Corinthians who were critical of Paul & questioned his Authority... they said he was walking in the flesh... that he had the wrong motive for writing those things...

"walking according to the flesh" refers to living one's life driven by sinful desires or worldly values, rather than living according to the Spirit or God's values.

The Apostle Paul frequently juxtaposed the deeds of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit, underscoring the contrast between the two ways of living.

While 2 Corinthians 10:2b specifically refers to Paul's intention to be bold toward some who consider him as walking according to the flesh.

a more comprehensive list of behaviors indicative of walking according to the flesh can be found in other epistles by Paul, such as Romans and Galatians.

Here are 5 indications that one is walking according to the flesh:

1. **Manifestation of Sinful Desires**: "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality..."

Galatians 5:19 NKJV

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

2. **Division and Disunity**: "...enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy..."

Galatians 5:20–21 NKJV

20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

When individuals prioritize their desires over the unity of the community, it's an indication of walking according to the flesh.

3. **Selfish Ambitions**: Those who seek their own gain at the expense of others demonstrate a life led by the flesh. "

James 3:16 NKJV

16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

4. **Rejection of Godly Wisdom**: In Romans, Paul warns that a mind set on the flesh is hostile to God and cannot submit to His law

Romans 8:7 NKJV

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

5. **Temporal Focus**: Those walking according to the flesh often prioritize temporary, worldly gains over eternal values. This is in contrast to what Paul suggests in

Colossians 3:2 NKJV

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

It's important to understand that all believers struggle with the temptation to walk according to the flesh at times.

However, the Bible tells us to "walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16).

Galatians 5:16 NKJV

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

And This spiritual walk is characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

APPLICATION: Let’s be real. when we see people who refuse to give up their sin... it’s easy to get in the flesh...

It’s easy to become harsh... hard... heavy handed... we just want to smack them and say repent you heathen!

This is something we all need be aware of...

And we are going to see that is not the case with Paul.

Paul was gentle with the Corinthians .

2. The Resolution From Paul: vs.1-6

Paul deals with this accusation of him walking according to the flesh in 2 ways:

2.1 Paul Deals with Opposition By His Demeanor Vs. 1-2a

His Actions Vs. 1 - When Paul wrote 1 Cor. he was absent from them so he was very bold...

1 Corinthians 4:21 NKJV

21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

So it’s easy to see why his critics accused him of walking in the flesh... operating in the flesh...

But I love how Paul responds to his critics... his accusers... his attackers...

He pleads with them by the Meekness & Gentleness of Christ...

Meekness: prah-o-tas, 9, mild, gentle...

Meekness is not weakness

so a meek person doesn’t seek revenge when wronged... he is gentle or mild when responding to his critics... to his accusers...

Gentleness: epi-ki-ah, 2, moderate, lenient...

When it’s used of someone with authority like Paul it carries the idea of not exercising your power or authority even though you have it...

Talk about if Paul really had authority

What a beautiful picture of Jesus...

Matthew 28:18 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Matthew 11:29 NKJV

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

How important it is that we all respond to those who come against us & attack us with the meekness & gentleness of Christ...

Matthew 5:44 NKJV

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

His Attitude Vs. 2a - Paul’s attitude was one of love & compassion, desiring for them to repent... & to get right with God...

Because he did not want to drop the hammer on them... Paul’s attitude was that of Jesus...

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

the Lord’s attitude toward us is one of longsuffering...

APPLICATION: Even through He has the power & authority to zap us... He doesn’t... He puts up with us… Setting a great example for us to follow...

2 things in dealing with the Apostolic authority of Paul: 1. Example of Christ: vs.1-2.

2.2 Paul Deals With Opposition In The Spirit Vs. 3-6

1. Involves The War we’re In Vs. 3 - As humans we all walk in the flesh... in these physical bodies we have legs & feet & that’s how we walk...

So we all walk in the flesh... but as Christians we don’t walk or live our lives by the power of the flesh.

The same is true regarding the war we’re in... we’re all in a war, a battle... it’s a spiritual battle...

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The problem comes when we try to fight this battle in the flesh... in our own power or strength...

That’s right where the enemy wants us to be... using our fleshly resources to fight a spiritual battle.

if your taking notes I want to give you 11 quick ways how one might fight in the flesh...

1. **Retaliation**: Instead of turning the other cheek, as Jesus taught (Matthew 5:39), a person might choose to retaliate when wronged, seeking personal revenge.

2. **Manipulation**: Using manipulative tactics to control or influence others for personal gain.

3. **Gossip and Slander**: Speaking negatively about others to damage their reputation.

4. **Jealousy and Envy**: Allowing these feelings to drive actions and attitudes towards others.

5. **Anger and Bitterness**: Holding onto anger and bitterness, and letting it affect interactions with others.

6. **Physical Violence**: Resorting to physical violence instead of seeking peaceful resolutions.

7. **Legalism**: Relying on strict adherence to the law or rules, rather than embracing grace and mercy.

8. **Self-Reliance**: Depending on one’s own strength and abilities instead of trusting in God.

9. **Worldly Ambition**: Pursuing success, power, and wealth for selfish reasons, rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God.

10. **Judgment and Condemnation**: Quickly judging others without understanding their situation or extending grace.

11. **Pride**: Having an inflated sense of self-importance and not acknowledging one’s need for God.

It’s crucial for Christians to be aware of these tendencies and actively work against them, striving to live in a way that reflects the love, grace, and mercy of Christ.

The Bible encourages believers to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) so that they can stand against the schemes of the devil and wage spiritual warfare with divine power.

APPLICATION: Because listen, In our journey through life, we will encounter various challenges and conflicts that can feel like battles. These battles could be in the form of struggles with sin, conflicts with others, or internal turmoil.

at the very minimum war against, the devil, the world, and the flesh...

Galatians 5:17 NKJV

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Ephesians 6:11 NKJV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

James 4:4 NKJV

4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

John 15:18–19 NKJV

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

2. Involves The Weapons we Have Vs. 4a - So the weapons we have for fighting this battle are Mighty in God... not in our flesh...

We see this example throughout scripture...

Eph.6:10 be strong in the Lord & the power of His might...

2 Tim.2:1 be strong in the grace of our Lord J.C...

Col.1:11 be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power...

Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.

So what are the weapons of our warfare:

Word of God:

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Armor of God:

Ephesians 6:11 NKJV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Romans 13:14 NKJV

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

because He is the whole armor of God...

Prayer to God:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

17 pray without ceasing,

Ephesians 6:18 NKJV

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Praise to Go:

Acts 16:25–26 NKJV

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

3. Involves The Way we Use Them Vs. 4b-6:

1. For Pulling Down Strongholds Vs. 4b - Pulling Down: 3, to destroy, demolish... Stronghold: only here, wall of a fortress or castle...

We all have spiritual walls or enemy strongholds in our lives that need to be pulled down or destroyed.

APPLICATION: Point: we can’t do it in & of ourselves... we need God’s help... but praise the Lord we have it... like the Israelites...

Josh.6: Jericho, they marched around once a day for 6 days. 7 times on the 7th day, 13 total.

2. Casting down Arguments & High Things Vs. 5a - Casting down: is the root word from Pulling Down in vs.4. to destroy, demolish...

Arguments: 2, thoughts, ideas, philosophies that are against God... & anything or anyone who exalts themselves higher then God...

APPLICATION: Point: we have the tools or weapons we need to demolish those who think that way...

ILLUSTRATION: About Francis Chan & Ravi

3. Bringing Thoughts into Captivity Vs. 5b - The world is continually putting thoughts into our head that are well, less then Godly…

With God’s strength & might we can bring them into captivity... cast them down... throw them out...

4. Punishing all Disobedience Vs. 6 - It was God’s Might & Strength that empowered Paul to patiently wait for the Corinthians to repent...

And when they did there was a clear line drawn in the sand between those who got right with God & those who did not... & for those who didn’t repent... punishment...

APPLICATION: Point: in, through & because of Jesus Christ we have all the resources we need to be able to do what’s right against those who criticize us... & against the enemy who wants to destroy us...