“The Weapons of Our Warfare!”

Our passage this morning addresses the very serious reality that even within the church, there is a spiritual battle taking place!

At the conclusion of Paul’s third missionary journey, when he was on his way to Jerusalem, at Miletus he met with the Elders of the church at Ephesus, where he told them:

Acts 20:28–31 CSB

28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.

Following Paul’s arrest and journey to Rome. He would write from his prison cell to the young pastor of Ephesus:

1 Timothy 1:18 CSB

18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight,

NKJV – “…that by them you may wage the good warfare”

There is a cosmic war between God and Satan, and we are a part of that fight (on one side or the other)!

Before we consider what Paul says about that struggle in (2 Corinthians 10:1-6), we should consider:

The METHOD of the Enemy’s ATTACK, or HOW the WAR is WAGED!

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 CSB

3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Satan’s primary means of attack is TO DECEIVE!

(v.4) – “…the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.”

And it is not just Satan that blinds; SIN ITSELF results in spiritual blindness!

1 John 2:11 CSB

11 But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Romans 1:18–21 CSB

18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened.

Romans 1:28 CSB

28 And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right.

Which is very important for us to understand as we consider the “weapons of our warfare”

READ TEXT (2 Corinthians 10:1-6) – PRAY!

2 Corinthians 10:1–6 CSB

1 Now I, Paul, myself, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent. 2 I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are living according to the flesh. 3 For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. 6 And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

To focus our thoughts, I would like to divide this passage into two sections:

First, the way God wants us to fight (10:1-3), and second, the weapons God has given us to win (10:4-6)!

I. THE WAY GOD WANTS US TO FIGHT – (10:1-3)

Paul gives three characteristics of the way or manner in which we are to fight:

1. We are to fight with HUMILITY – (v.1a)

“Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you…”Why HUMILITY? What place has humility on a battlefield?

Paul had already established himself as and Apostle of Jesus Christ – (cf. 1:1; 1 Cor 9:1-2)

Why ask when you can command? – 2 Reasons:

a. Because JESUS said so – (Matt. 20:25-26) – “God said it, that settles it!”

b. Humility demonstrates FAITH in the Sovereignty of God!

If I really believe (Romans 8:31, 37) then I can be completely humble in battle!

Romans 8:31 CSB

31 What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

Romans 8:37 CSB

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

2. We are to FOLLOW the EXAMPLE of CHRIST – (v.1b)

· “meekness” – (Matt 5:5; 11:29) – “Power under control!”

· “gentleness” – This word is only here and in (Acts 24:4 – “courtesy”). In the broadest sense, the word can also mean, “a temperate mode of life.”

Which is EXACTLY what Paul did – (“…who in presence am lowly among you…”)

“lowly” is from ταπεινός – “humble, lowly, undistinguished, poor, downcast.”

Same word as in

Matthew 11:29 CSB

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Used 8 times total, three of note:

James 1:9 CSB

9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation,

James 4:6 CSB

6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

1 Peter 5:5 CSB

5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

The latter two are both a quotation of Proverbs 3:34.

Proverbs 3:34 CSB

34 He mocks those who mock but gives grace to the humble.

MY FRIENDS, let me share with you why Jesus could wage a spiritual warfare against Satan himself, with meekness and gentleness, and furthermore, why God wants us to do the same:

(John 13:3-5)

· He knew the Father

· He knew why He was here (His purpose)

· He knew where He came from (in other words, who He was)

· He knew where He was going (assurance of faith)

“The just shall live by faith!” – (Habakkuk 2:4; Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38)

3. Humble, Meek and Lowly; yet CONFIDENT/BOLD when NECESSARY – (v.1c-2)

In other words, Paul knew when to ‘take the gloves off’ (spiritually speaking)! By the way, this is about as close as Paul gets to actually threatening someone!

(CEV) – “Some people have said that we act like the people of this world. So when I arrive, I expect I will have to be firm and forceful in what I say to them. Please don’t make me treat you that way.”

Don’t misunderstand; Paul is not talking about a physical confrontation! He’s not going to get in the ring and duke it out! (v.3) – “For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we do not war (fight) according to the flesh.”

(Ephesians 6:12, 16)

Ephesians 6:12 CSB

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

Ephesians 6:16 CSB

16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

II. THE WEAPONS GOD HAS GIVEN US TO WIN – (10:4-6)

A few comments about these weapons before we look at the specifics:

· They are SPIRITUAL as opposed to CARNAL (fleshly) – (v.4a)

· They are POWERFUL through GOD! – (v.4b)

What are the WEAPONS?

1. DELIVERANCE – (v.4-5)

They “…but are powerful through God for the demolition” (lit. “overthrowing”) 3 things:

· “…strongholds” – (v.4b) Only place this word is used. Lit. “prison or stronghold”

(Proverbs 21:22)

What does it refer to? – Most common answer: SIN, or more specific, HABITUAL SIN!

If I am addicted to something, it said to be a “stronghold” in my life.

· “…arguments” – from λογισμούς – ‘reasonings’ (philosophies)

· “…every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God”

There are NUMEROUS cultural or philosophical ideologies that either set themselves against God (atheism) or attempts to replace God through a false religious system (everything from Hinduism to the New Age Movement)!

AND because God does not exist, it is considered foolish, or in some cases illegal to study, or teach the knowledge of God!

“How am I delivered?” (i.e., How is deliverance a weapon?)

“What demolishes STRONGHOLDS, REASONINGS, HIGH OR PRIDEFUL THINGS?”

1) The WORK of CHRIST – In other words, the work of salvation!

(2 Cor 3:14-16; 4:2-6)

2) The WORK of the HOLY SPIRIT!

(2 Cor 3:17-18) – “Liberty” = FREEDOM! - It is the OPPOSITE of a prison or stronghold!

3) The WORD of GOD!

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

4) PRAYER and FASTING!

Ephesians 6:18 CSB

18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

2. SELF-CONTROL – (v.5b)

These weapons bring “…take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

NOTICE THE WORDING—it is not by accident—that you first capture your thought process in order to obey of Christ!

I believe the greatest example of this is Jesus!

John 5:19 CSB

19 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things.

In other words, SALVATION, the HOLY SPIRIT, the WORD OF GOD, PRAYER and FASTING, WILL TEACH ME TO THINK LIKE CHRIST!!

Romans 12:2 CSB

2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Think of your mind as having two realms: one run by Satan, and the other by Christ!

Where you spend your time (mentally) will determine your conduct (physically)!

What do you spend your time thinking about? Which of the two places captivates your thought processes?

By the way, I believe that the stronghold is not a particular sin, but rather the way I think about sin (which is what makes it habitual)!

Beloved, you can pray 24/7, read your Bibles till the cows come home, pray till Jesus returns, and yet you will STILL have sin in your life!

Paul was so adamant about this fact that he writes in (Romans 7:21)

Romans 7:21 CSB

21 So I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me.

You cannot change the presence of sin in your life, BUT YOU CAN CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT THAT SIN!

You, through the weapons of our warfare, bring your mind into the captivity of the obedience of Christ!

Through the wonderful work of salvation, the presence of the Spirit, the Word of God, through prayer and fasting, you can CHANGE the way you think, and thus be TRANSFORMED INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST!

Now you might be thinking, “MAN, THAT’S A LOT OF WORK! How am I going to make it?”

3. ACCOUNTABILITY – (v.6)

Paul held the Corinthians accountable…He didn’t just say, “You folks need to do what’s right.” He was ready to “punish all disobedience!” He held them accountable because he loved them!

By they way, that’s why you need to be a part of a church body. You need folks in your life who will hold you accountable!

Is there anyone in your life that if you start off the straight and narrow, will snatch you back?

IT WORKS! There are AT LEAST four men (they are called “Elders”), and ONE WOMAN (her name is Dee Dee) in my life who hold me accountable (and by the way, that’s enough…I’m not accepting applications for anymore at the present time)

I NEED THOSE MEN and I NEED MY WIFE (she sees me at the house).

AND YOU NEED THEM TOO! You need people who love you enough TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE!

Hebrews 10:19–25 CSB

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— 20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)— 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.