#TuesdayTruth 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Any time we think about or discuss a realm outside of what we can see/hear/touch/taste/smell, it can get confusing (at least, for me). However, it is important to know that what we see in front of us is not all that there is. Not only that, but when someone is in a battle, it is important to know both who that person is fighting and how they are fighting; and, my friend, we are in a battle.
The good news that I read in the verses above is that we have everything we need in order to overcome that which is set up against our God, against us. Our weapons have “divine power” to “demolish strongholds.” It does not say that we have pretty good stuff, will be able to put up a fight, and hopefully win. No! Look at the power in those words- DIVINE power to DEMOLISH (completely destroy) strongholds.
Another important thing to consider when reading this passage is the battle of the mind. Now, admittedly, this is something that I personally do not fully comprehend. However, I can consider the power of the mind that God gave us and the importance of using it constructively.
Personally, I have had several struggles with worry in the past, so I will use this as an example. I know how quickly the “snowball effect” can turn one small inkling of worry into a full-blown worst-case-scenario panic. Now, I cognitively know that there are many scriptures that not only tell me not to worry, but there are also several which give me reasons why I should not worry. The problem in that “snowball” scenario was that I did not take that thought, that small inkling, captive and use the weapons (that have divine power) to demolish worry. Instead, I let that small seed of doubt, grow and bloom into something that is not only not constructive, but actually harmful, and not at all from God.
What I should do instead is recognize that worry/fear/doubt is not from God (Matthew 6:25), that God has good plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11), that He is all-powerful (Psalms 68:34) and that I should be thanking Him for just who He is and all He has given me (Philippians 4:6-7). Therefore, I take that first thought (that worry) captive, and make it “obedient to Christ.” This is one of those things that is much easier said than done, but it is possible, and the peace it brings is immeasurable (Isaiah 26:3).
So, in short, let me encourage you on these points:
There is more than that which we see here on earth.
We have exactly what we need to overcome.
We can win the “battle of the mind” by taking EVERY thought captive.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us exactly what we need in order to overcome. Thank you for the encouraging words that you give us in scripture. Please help us to take every thought captive, to make it obedient to you. Thank you, most of all, that the victory has already been won.
We love you Father, Amen.