Real Weaponry

“For although we are walking in the flesh, we do not wage war in a fleshly way, since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 CSB)

We can deduce several basic elements from these verses: 1) there is a war going on, 2) it is not a typical war fought in a physical manner, 3) this war is more subjective and spiritual in nature, 4) the essence of the war is rebellion against God, and 5) the weapons of this war are truth-based.

Satan shakes his bony fist at God. He hates God passionately, and his goal is to extinguish the light of God so that he can rule in the darkness. He uses every person of influence and every strategy possible to achieve his evil ends. Even though totally defeated, he continues to wage war to take as many with him as he can.

As strong as Satan may be, however, he and his followers are no match for God. God’s power and sovereignty is absolute. They cannot stand against God because He is all-powerful, and the last word is always His.

The Lord provides us with weapons for this war. We take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” We confront “arguments and every high-sounding thing” that sets itself up in opposition to God, by taking them before the truth of Jesus Christ. The truth judges the darkness of Satan by shining forth its light into the darkness, exposing Satan for who and what he really is. So, we bring every thought before the truth.

The truth of Jesus demolishes strongholds.

Lord, May there be no strongholds of any kind in our lives, no place for Satan to stand, no room for him to work. Rather, may Your truth live in us and shine forth in and through us for Your honor and glory. Amen.