Scripture

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts to teach them to obey Christ.

Observation

Paul appeals to the Corinthians with the gentleness and kindness of Christ. Some people think Paul is only bold at a distance, confusing his gentleness with timidity when he is with them.

Our weapons are not the fleshly weapons of the world. We use God’s weapons to demolish strongholds and to bring every rebellious thought under Christ’s reign.

Some people might think Paul boasts too much about his authority, but it is authority that comes from Christ and builds people up.

Application

The weapons of our warfare as Christians are not fleshly weapons, but are spiritual in nature.

Paul mentions here strongholds. These are areas of our life where satan has been so entrenched that we are not even aware there is a problem.

Strongholds might be deeply embedded habits or thought patterns that we think are “normal” but are in fact contrary to the gospel.

Strongholds need to be pulled down by an honest look at ourselves in the presence of the Holy Spirit. The weapons that destroy them are prayer and God’s word, that is the normal Christian disciplines.

As we submit ourselves to God’s word and apply it to every part of our life, we notice over time that we no longer believe the way we once did. Strongholds, attitudes, and behaviours become obliterated by the grace of our Lord.

Prayer

Lord, please show me strongholds that satan has established in my life. give me the grace to pull these things down. Amen.