2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
It is time for the church to become aggressively active in this battle. God has promised her that she can pull down the strongholds of the enemy and that the very gates of hell will fold under her attack. The Church is not just a powerful army; it is a large and wise army. She trains her soldier well with the disciplines of the faith. She equips them with the Sword of Truth that set them free, but imprisons the conscience of her enemy.
How is it that the enemy makes such gain in battle when it lacks the advantage God has given to His Church? Could the Church be failing to hear the trumpet call to advance? She is told to “war a good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18). She is told “to be Strong in the Lord” and “put on the whole Armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-11). She is told to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3)
The vast majority of the world’s population is jamming the broad road that leads directly to hell (Matthew 7:13). Western Society is growing even more sensual and secular. Movies and TV productions are more aggressively and blatantly wicked. Our schools show no shame kicking God out and seating humanism in His place. Atheists have become bold, prolific writers of books. One book “The Atheists Revolution” was so popular that it was advertised on buses in London with “There’s probably No God. Now stop worrying and enjoy life.” The atheists have used key billboards in the United States to say “If you don’t believe in God, You are not alone.” Or “A million New Yorkers are good without God. Are you?”
Each of these is vicious attacks against God and His truth and purity. Christ, the head of His army, has given us a battle plan.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
The main objective is to pull down strongholds. We accomplish this by casting down arguments and all exalted ideas that oppose the knowledge of God. We must be ready to punish disobedience but always be aware of our own spiritual shortfalls. A stronghold is a castle fortress, a fortified complex that a single warrior would never be able to destroy by himself. This is a job for a mighty army, Christians collectively. All Christians are to wear the uniform of war (Ephesians 6:10-20) and move to the front lines.
This battle will last all of our life (1 Timothy 1:18 and 2 Timothy 2:4). The army is composed of the Church and Christ is her captain (Joshua 5:14). The enemy has a leader also. He is named in scripture often as the devil (Matthew 13:25, 28, 29 and 1Peter 5:8). The devil has a spiritual army of fallen angels, called demons (Ephesians 6:12). The devil is after the destruction of the Church. The devil’s army takes captives through the world’s philosophy (Colossians 2:8, James 4:4, Philippians 3:18-19, Romans 8:7). By diluting minds a soldier cannot think clearly and will betray the very one he is called to serve. He will be shipwrecked (1 Timothy 1:19) and fall from his steadfastness and become entangled in the worlds ways (2 Timothy 2:4). The devil’s philosophies are seen in government when laws are passed that oppose Gods laws. They are often very deceptively worded like the hiss of a serpent (Genesis 3:4). His philosophies are also seen in the home. For example, we are being told studies show when a child is spanked it causes them to be violent. This opposes the very clear teaching of Proverbs (Proverbs 13:24, 22:15, 29:15). His philosophies are also seen in the Church. An example here is that pragmatism has become the teaching of most “Church growth” seminars. The growth of the Church is never to be based on “if it works do it”.
As the Christian goes to battle, they are to settle for nothing less than absolute victory. Christ is not a compromiser. The enemy must be obliterated. There must be total recognition of Christ as King (Philippians 2:9-11) and total punishment of all who reject Christ (2 Peter 2:4-9). The Bible insists that our battle is an intellectual one. Our weapons are not fleshly and men are transformed by mind renewal (Romans 12:2). Our body parts are instruments of righteousness and righteousness opposes sin in our battle.
Our weapons are “mighty through God” (Colossians 1:9-11). Were this not true, we would lack the courage to fight (Ephesians 1:19-20). Under His might we are to breach the wall of the enemy’s strong holds of wickedness. We are to capture the enemy and destroy his idols. There are many castles in the camp of the enemy. They are all full of wicked ideas that are opposed to God. Each one is a gate to Hell that the Church, mighty through God, will prevail against. The Church is both empowered and commissioned to attack. She is too content for the true faith, the one delivered by the apostles to the saints (Jude 3). She is to, in faith, resist the devil (1 Peter 5:9) and all his philosophies and teachings, eliminating every lofty thing that is against the knowledge of God.
Poem:
Hark I hear my captain calling
Who will bear the cross today
Who will join the noble army
Marching up the narrow way.