2 Corinthians 10:3-5
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,
The contemporary version puts it this way
We live in this world, but we don’t act like its people or fight our battles with the weapons of this world. Instead, we use God’s power that can destroy fortresses. We destroy arguments and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people’s thoughts and make them obey Christ.
The Spirit of God through Paul wrote in the book of Romans 8: 12 -14
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
In this realm that we are in at the present moment, we are being encouraged not to live according to the dictates of our flesh, for to do so means death - separation from God.
We are to be spiritually minded and focus on the things of the spirit which brings us life and peace - Romans 8:6
There is a lot of darkness in this realm. The word of God says this in 2 Corinthians 4: 3-4
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
The god of this age who is Satan or the Devil has used an evil spiritual force to blind people to the reality that Jesus Christ is God. And there is a real spiritual warfare in the invisible realm between Satan and God. Satan is attempting to blind people from receiving the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ,
But God has given us the key to destroy these strongholds in the invisible realm through the WORD of God, Prayer, Praise and Intercession. And this is what the book of 2 Corinthians verses 4 - 5 is saying to us.
WHAT IS A STRONGHOLD?
- A stronghold is anything in our lives that is not bringing glory to God.
- Every lie of the enemy is a stronghold.
- Anything that is not allowing us to see the truth of God's WORD is a stronghold.
- Unbelief is a stronghold.
- Fear is a stronghold.
- Not trusting in God is a stronghold.
- Doubt is a stronghold.
- A stronghold is a satanically energised argument designed to destroy us or to block God's kingdom purpose in our lives.
- A stronghold can be as simple as having the false inner belief that God will not do the things that He has promised.
- Sin or living in sin is another stronghold.
- Pride is a stronghold.
Since the weapons of our warfare are not carnal which means they are not physical weapons, they are not of the flesh. We are to come against every lie of the enemy with the WORD of God.
The book of Ephesians 6: 10- 18 gives us a list of how we can stand against the wiles - schemes, devices, lies of the devil.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."
- First, we are to be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might
- We are to put on the whole armor of God, so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil
- Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places
- We are to take the whole armor of God that we may be able to withstand in the evil day
- We are to put on the breastplate of righteousness
- We are called to shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
- With all this we are to take the shield of faith and with this we are able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one
- We are also able to take the sword of the spirit, which is the WORD of God
- Then finally, we are to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit
The LORD said to us in John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The New International version
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
It's true that Jesus has overcome the world through His death, burial and resurrection and He did this so that we can have peace in this world. But we are called to do our part by putting on the whole armor of God, We are to put on the whole armor of God by faith and speaking it to ourselves everyday.
How do we cast down arguments and every high thing that is exalting itself against the knowledge of God in our lives.?
1, By receiving the gift of salvation - John 3:16
2, By becoming a new creation -2 Corinthians 5:17
3, By having faith in God - Mark 11: 22
4, By the Holy Spirit - John 14:16
5, By presenting our body as a living sacrifice - Romans 12:1
6, Living in God's will
7, Walking in Love - Romans 13:8-10
8, Putting on Christ - Romans 13:14
9, Submit to government - Romans 13:1
10, By abiding in the WORD of God.
The LORD does not want to be in any form of bondage and this is why Jesus Christ came has the Way, the Truth, and the Life - John 14:6 . The book of Colossians chapter 1 verse 13 records this that
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
Jesus in Matthew 5:14 called us children of light . Therefore, we are not to accept any arguments that the enemy brings into our lives. He also said in John 8:44 that the devil is a liar and he can never stand in the truth for he is the father of all lies. Basically the LORD is saying to us that we are not believe in his lies and be bond by it.
And also in 2 Corinthians 11:3
"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
The Devil or Satan is a liar, the only words that comes out of him are lies and this is the way he deceives the children of God, and he does this so that people can be led astray from the truth. He is doing this so that we would not be focused on what Christ has done.
Jesus has reconciled us back to God when he was crucified and the veil that separated us from God was torn into two from top to bottom. The following Scriptures reveals the truth to us:
2 Corinthians 5:17 -19
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Romans 5:10-11
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Jesus understands everything that we are going through, and this is why He became a man. he had to face the lies of the enemy as well in Matthew 4:1-11
Satan Tempts Jesus
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."
The enemy tempted Jesus with his lies but our LORD answered him back with the truth of the WORD.
And if we are to do what Jesus did by bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ we are also to stand in the WORD of God and he said this to us in the book of John 8:31-32
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Once we realise that it is the WORD of God which is the truth, that can set us free then we will be free from the stronghold of the enemy. God loves us and cares for every of our need. Satan knows that it's the WORD of God that will set us free and that is why he keeps from from studying the WORD. And by not knowing what God is saying to us concerning our situations we start believing in his lies and we then doubt the promises of God. The WORD of God says the promises of God are Yes and Amen in Christ Jesus.
Every stronghold can be destroyed with the truth of God's WORD.
Hebrews 4:12 says this about the WORD of God
" For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Matthew 4:4
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
We need to also renew our minds if we are to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Our mind is the battleground that the enemy uses to attack us.
Scriptures on the mind
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Philippians 4: 7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Quote by Joyce Meyer
Make a conscious effort to fill your mind with good, pure, wholesome and lovely thoughts.
The book of 1 Corinthians 2:16 says this
For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
We have the mind of Christ and this is because we have the Spirit of God dwelling in us. Since the Spirit of God is in us we would discover that we have a new way of thinking available to us as children of God.
We are encouraged in Philippians 4:8 on what to think about and this is what it says:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
By doing this every time the enemy will not be able to attack our thoughts with his lies. And we can have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding in every area of our lives.
Isaiah 26:3 records this
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Another translation puts it this way
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you! ( NLT )
When we are going about our duties what do we think about? What is our mind focused on? Are we looking to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith or are we thinking of all the troubles that we are having? If we consciously let our mind focus on the promises of God and trust in Him, then God will do His part by helping us to win the battles of life.
Psalms 37:5 promises us this as we choose to focus on God
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
Therefore, in the midst of all our troubles we are to focus on God and commit our troubles to Him, trusting in Him and He will make all things work together for our good and vindicate us before the day is over.
God is love and loves us all. He has set us free from all the wickedness of the enemy and wants us to enjoy the life and the freedom he gave to us. we cannot enjoy God's freedom if we continue to listen to the lies of the enemy.
That is why he encourages us to always pull down the stronghold of the enemies and cast down all arguments that opposes his will in our lives. We are to meditate on his WORD day and night has recorded in Joshua 1:8.
The WORD will break down every stronghold of the enemy in our lives as long as we believe in God and trust that His WORD is His will for our lives.
PRAYER
Father, I thank you that your word is living and powerful. I use your word to stop all the lies of the enemy in my life and ask you to please have your way in my life in Jesus name. Amen
