Fighting the Enemy from Far Off Pt. 4
2 Corinthians 10:4
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
[For the weapons of our warfare] The means by which we hope to achieve our victory.
[Are not carnal] Not those of the flesh. Not such as the people of the world use. We do not depend on eloquence, or talent, or learning, or wealth, or beauty, or any of the external aids on which the people of this world rely. These things have no divine power there’s no power inherent in themselves. Our strength is derived from God alone.
[But mighty through God] " They are rendered mighty or powerful by the agency of God. They depend on him for their effectiveness. Paul has not here specified the weapons on which he relied; Paul gives specifics of them in (2 Cor 6:6-7), 2 Cor 6:6-7
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
The weapons were such as were furnished by truth and righteousness, and these were rendered mighty by the attending agency of God. The sense is, that God is the author of the doctrines which we preach, and that he attends them with the agency of his Spirit, and accompanies them to the hearts of people. It is important for all ministers to feel that their weapons are mighty ONLY through God.
Warriors of the earth go into battle depending on their own:
1) power 2) might 2)wisdom 3) skill 4)plans
The Christian goes on his warfare, feeling that however well adapted the truths which he holds are to accomplish great purposes, and however wisely his plans are formed, their effectiveness depends on God. He has no hope of victory but in God. And if God is not present, he is sure of unavoidable defeat.
[To the pulling down of strongholds] The word rendered here as "strongholds" ochurooma
means properly a fastness, fortress, or strong fortification. It also denotes the various obstacles resembling a fortress which exist, the enemy has full possession of Strongholds; strongholds are designed and adapted to oppose the truth and the triumph of the Christian’s cause. All those obstacles are carrying carnal weapons. The sins of his heart are prepared by long indulgence and by the hold which they have on his soul.
Eph 6:10-17
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Goliath comes after the church
These four giants come after leadership
Every giant reproduces after its own kind
ISHBI-BENOB CAME TO THIS WAR WITH A NEW SWORD,
BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD THAT IF HE KILLED THE HEAD, THE BODY (CHURCH BODY) WOULD AVAIL NOTHING.
NOT ONLY DOES HE COME WITH HIS SWORD HE COMES WITH HIS BOYS.
FOUR GIANTS W/ FOUR DISTINCT CHARACTERS AND THREE ARE THE PREDECESSORS.
5 stones for 5 different giants
1) Goiath
2) ISHBI-BENOB - TAKING CAPTIVE
3) SAPH - RUSHES
4) LAHMI - THE BROTHER OF GOLIATH - NAME MEANS MY WAR
5) THE GIANT KNOWN BY HIS ISSUES - THE GIANT W/ 6 FINGERS
1) Thief 2) Envy 3) Covetousness 4) fornication 5) Drunkard
