INTRODUCTION
Is this the Third World War? Are we living through the beginning of the third global conflict in world history? We don’t know the answer to that yet. But whether the Russia-Ukraine conflict does eventually engulf our world or not, there is another world war we are all in already. It’s the conflict in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 and every living person is a combatant whether they know it or not, whether they admit it or not, whether they like it or not. There are no civilians in this war, there are no pacifists, there are no conscientious objectors. How can I win the biggest, longest, and worst world war?
BACKGROUND
In 2 Corinthians, Paul is teaching us how to get strength through weakness and how to strengthen the weak. In chapter 10 verses 1-6, he encourages the Corinthians that although they are facing many enemies both in the church and in the world, God has provided the weapons to defeat even the strongest enemies. Paul exemplifies Christian boldness (1-2) and confidence (3-6) in this battle.
What’s the battlefield?
1. THE BATTLEFIELD IS THE MIND
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ (4-5).
The battlefield is not the flesh
‘The flesh’ refers to the physical world and stands for the normal way war is waged and won. Although Paul ives a normal physical life in this world, he’s not using physical strength or resources in this battle. Human strength, might, and power are not the enemies. It’s not about human muscle or national militaries. We’re not fighting over soil or cities.
The battlefield is the mind
The enemies are identified as arguments, opinions, knowledge, and thoughts. Paul’s focus is our mental world, the intellectual arena. Throughout the world, a battle is being waged for every single human mind. It’s a life-or-death daily battle. Words and ideas are the bullets and bombs, the missiles and rockets, the grenades and shells. Every letter, syllable, sentence, paragraph, and page is aimed at shaping morals and beliefs about self, sin, world, God, future.
On the one side is God’s Word and on the other side is every human word that contradicts it. On the one side is the God of truth and on the other side is every journalist, teacher, CEO, politician, judge, philosopher, speaker, author, influencer, and YouTuber whose words and actions contradict God’s Word. Their launching pads include schools, social media, movies, music, news, opinion, social media, friends, family. Their aim is to establish their stronghold in your mind, to fortify you against God’s Word.
CHANGING OUR STORIES WITH GOD’S STORY
Guard your mind. The mind is the way to the heart (Proverbs 4:23; 24:3; Phil. 4:7). Every word (and image) that enters your eye-gate or ear-gate is on a mission to either defend or destroy you, suddenly or slowly. There is a ferocious battle for your brain with the Devil on one side and God on the other. Learn where you are vulnerable and plug the gaps.
Strengthen your mind. Equip yourself with word, truths, arguments, evidences. that can give you the strength and stamina for not only defense but also offense. Don’t wait until the attack comes to get a strong defense in place. The mind has many territories and routes: facts, understanding, opinion, discernment, memory, imagination, conscience, etc. All of these need strengthened. But the citadel is our moral values. Our moral mind is the most influential force in our lives. Our moral determine the facts we accept, our understanding, our opinions, our discernment, our memory, our imagination, and our conscience. That’s why the ten commandments are so important for our mental health
THE MENTAL BATTLE IS A MORAL BATTLE
So all that matters is the desire? No, desires must be backed up with actions.
2. THE WEAPONS ARE SPIRITUAL
…For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds (4).
The weapons are not fleshly
Fleshly weapons include coercing with aggressive force, bribing with false promises, and deceiving with half-truths. We look at the tactics that some politicians, armies, and corporations use — threats, trickery, talent, entertainment, manipulation, people-pleasing, celebrity — and say, regardless of their success, “We refuse to use these weapons.”
The weapons are mighty
What then are our weapons that have so much power that they can destroy strongholds? The Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit are our special forces. Holiness, worship, and fellowship are our support troops. These together are mighty with God’s blessing.
CHANGING OUR STORY WITH GOD’S STORY
Refuse to use any fleshly weapon. They look impressive but can only accomplish fleshly ends. So many churches have been built using fleshly weapons and ultimately implode: Mars Hill Seattle (Mark Driscoll), Mars Hill Grand Rapids (Rob Bell), Harvest Bible Chapel (James McDonald), Willow Creek (Bill Hybels), Tullian Tchividjian (Coral Ridge), and many others.
Use spiritual weapons alone. Our weapons look weak but with God’s blessing they have divine power to destroy the most impregnable strongholds. Learn to use the weapons in times of peace so that you’re ready for the next attack.
SPIRITUAL WEAPONS HAVE SPIRITUAL RESULTS
But will I win? Yes, the victory is certain.
3. THE VICTORY IS CERTAIN
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete (5-6).
The Victory
The church or Christian that uses the right weapons is assured of victory. No matter how many, great, high, scary the opponents, God wins in and through his people.
The Court-Martial
He is prepared to court-martial any who remain insubordinate after victory is accomplished. The aim is a peaceful, orderly, calm, rational mind. Any disobedient thoughts, any disturber of that peace, has to be captured, charged, tried, sentenced, and punished with death.
CHANGING OUR STORY WITH GOD’S STORY
Fight to win. “Destroy….capture…punish…” These are not half-hearted words. He’s not fighting with one hand tied behind his back. He’s all-in. He’s fighting to win and win big. He is merciless in his opposition to any opposition to Christ.
Fight for peace. Any time you find a thought that disobeys Christ, remember it’s a spy who is trying to sabotage you. Don’t tolerate it or live with it, even for an hour. Take it captive immediately. Punish any and every area of the mind that harbors any disobedient doctrinal thought, and especially any disobedient moral thought.
FIGHT FOR PEACE AND YOU’LL FIGHT TO WIN
SUMMARY
THE NEXT CHAPTER
- Gospel: We are saved by laying down our weapons and resting. You cannot win salvation by fighting or by effort.
- Jesus: Jesus won this mental battle, this internal war. He executed a perfect battle plan at every step of his earthly life and death. Every thought was captive even though every day was a battle, a world war in his mental world.
- Church: This is true not just on an individual level but on a church level. In the battle for the minds of others, our church must use God’s weapons alone.
- Monday: Identify one thought that you need to take captive this week. Write down when it appears and how it weakens your moral mind. What weapon(s) will you use to win?
- Heaven: In heaven the battle will be over. There won’t even be the possibility of a stray thought. What peace! What rest! What quiet. Imagine what our mental health will be like!
- Prayer: My God and General, commandeer my mind by commanding my thoughts and dominating every aspect of my mental world so that I can win the worst world war.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How would you describe the battlefield of your mind? What areas are safe/vulnerable?
2. What fleshly weapons have you tried to use and what’s been the result?
3. Where is the devil attacking your moral mind/values/principles?
4. Which thoughts do you need to capture and court-martial?
5. How does this passage apply to evangelism?
6. How does this change your parenting?