New Life In Christ Pt. 15 Walking in our Flesh but Armed for Battle by God's Spirit

Defining the warfare we face.

2 Corinthians 10:1-6  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: 2  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. 3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5  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; 6  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 

God used the apostle Paul to give us so much insight into our standing before God in Christ, as well as so many practical applications of truth for living in the here and now. Most scholars beleive that Paul had an unimpressive appearance and that his "in person" speech did not match the soaring  language of his inspired epistles. 

Our "Old Man" resists walking in the Spirit

He reminds us that all who are born again are going through an earthly pilgrimage in a body of flesh. Our "old man" is still with us and in our flesh dwells no good thing. We are living in a Romans 7 battle between our sinful flesh and the "new man" in us through Christ. God's Spirit is our helper and He seeks to lead us day by day into the holy path of God's Word. 

This seems to be what Paul is referencing when he speaks of being "base" or meek, lowly and humble in their presence. However Paul was "bold"  displaying courage, sternness and good cheer toward them through his inspired letters. 

Paul provided an important conclusion for us to think about. It is true that we "walk in the flesh" until Christ calls us home to heaven. However, the spiritual warfare we are engaged in cannot be fought with fleshy or carnal weapons. It is a battle where each believer needs divine help from God. 

The Spiritual Weapons of our Warfare

The word "war" in verse 3 refers to a battle and using military strategies and logistics. The word "weapons" refers to tools used in fighting a battle. 

Paul tells us that our weapons are not earthly, nor are they carnal. Our weapons are not governed by human minds or limited to human powers. Rather our weapons come from God. They are spiritual in nature. They are weapons that are fueled by God's power. His weapons can pull down strongholds of our great enemy. 

The words "pulling down" is a building term that refers to demolition done during a construction process. The word "stronghold" refers to a fortress but it is used metaphorically in this verse referring to a guarded area of our mind that we have not yielded to God.

The context makes it clear that strongholds are places in our mind where the enemy (Satan) has gained a foothold. He seeks to influence our mind so that we choose to sin instead of seeking to please God. Remember, that we are commanded to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and the way that we think needs to be conformed to God's logic (Or theology. See Romans 12:1-2). 

This phrase "casting down imaginations" means to demolish, tear down or obliterate something. It is also a construction term where buildings are torn down and all the debris is hauled away. Thus, it has the idea of creating a clean site ready to build something new in place of the demolished structure.

The word "imaginations" refers to our reasoning or thought processes that are hostile to God and the Christian faith. This word is only found twice in the Bible with the other text from Romans 2 where it is translated "thoughts."  This word refers to making a calculated decision to do something sinful after considering the possibilities prior to taking action. 

Thus, this is a life long battle for the way that we think and this is consistent with the Word of God. It is a battle for our minds and victory is achieved when we allow the Spirit of God to lead us. 

Paul uses another "put off" and "put on" scenario to help us understand how it is important for us to seek God's leadership always and to do our part by putting off the things that God points out to us. The "put off" is  "pulling down" strongholds and "casting down" imaginations.  

Casting Down Imaginations

1 Chronicles 28:9  And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. 

King David made massive preparations for His son, Solomon to build a temple for Jehovah. Like any good father, David had some sage advice to give to Solomon. This text tells us why the battle is in our minds and why we need to be putting off the things that God said should be put off. 

How can we pull down strongholds or cast down imaginations? By serving God with a pure heart and a willing mind. Jehovah searches our hearts  and understands our imagination. The secure promise is that if we diligently seek Him, we will find God. 

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

We see that the wonderful Word of God is living truth from God that has immense power, and sharpness. It will discern the thoughts and intents of our hearts. This is why we need to read and reflect upon God's Word every day. We need this powerful truth from God to help us see where we are thinking wrong and to renew how we think so that God is glorified and magnified in and through us. 

God’s truth is the powerful “put on” that we need to fill us with right thinking that helps us choose the straight and narrow path that honors God. His Word demolishes wrong thinking and hauls away the mental debris when it has finished pulling down strongholds and casting down imaginations. Then, the scripture rebuilds a new base for right thinking in our mind. Thinking right as a believer will lead to choosing righteousness. 

Colossians 3:16-17  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Now we have another imperative from the scriptures. In this “put on” Paul tells us to let God's Word dwell in us richly. The application of this truth is very simple. We must read the Word, reflect upon what we read, memorize the Word and study the word. We are to literally have God's truth so ingrained into our minds that His Word is living there. The word "richly" means with great abundance. This is the powerful tool that God uses to change the manner of our thinking. This brings us wisdom for living a life that is full of integrity and a life that honors God. 

Notice also what it does to our new man in Christ. It gives us sound doctrine so that we can teach others accurately what God is saying to us. It fills our hearts with a strong desire to worship though psalms, hymns and Spirit inspired songs.  It provides the proper motivation for all of our interpersonal relationships and inspires us to be the best worker or familiy member that we can possibly be. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

As we think about new life in Christ, we are turning to the battle that we face every day. We see that this is spiritual warfare and that we need to be prepared for each day. We cannot fight in this war without mighty help from God. 

Think about pulling down strongholds. What strongholds does the Devil have in your mind right now? They must be pulled down and rooted out. Does the world have a stronghold on your mind today? This too must be pulled down and rooted out.

God knows all about our struggles in the war between our old man and our new man in Christ. He sent His Spirit to dwell in us and He gave us His living, powerful word.

Walking in the Spirit means that we must seek His help and we must constantly read His word.

I pray that Christ will help us drink deeply from the fountain of His word so that we become better soldiers in the army of God.

Bob