Our Warfare

[George]

(2 Corinthians 10:3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(2 Corinthians 10:4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

(2 Corinthians 10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Let us look at this very important passage of scripture. It reveals a lot to us about our personal and daily struggles.

For though, meaning although or because of the fact, we walk, or conduct our lives, in the flesh, meaning we are alive and are human beings and the fact the word translated as flesh here also means human nature or the non-physical aspects of the person, we do not war or contend with carnal inclinations, nor do we use the flesh or the human aspect of ourselves to contend with carnal inclinations.

Put back together we can see this first verse dissected and defined.

Because of the fact we conduct our lives in the manner of human nature or the non-physical parts of our beings, we do not contend with those carnal or humanistic inclinations, nor do we use the flesh or the human part of us to contend with or fight using carnal or humanistic inclinations.

The reason being that the weapons or armour and instruments, of our apostolic career, are not humanistic, but mighty through God. What does mighty through God mean exactly? Through as used here literally means to the ultimate purpose of. Our weapons or tools and instruments of our apostolic career or our lives here on earth, are not humanistic but are to the ultimate purpose of God. It is through God, by God, in God and because of God that we can fight the good fight.

These things are mighty or powerful to the extent to the very pulling down, or extinction of strongholds. What are strongholds? Strongholds are things that hold firmly. The only thing that ought hold us firmly is God through Jesus Christ.

The weapons or tools we use are not humanistic in nature but rather being of God. The proper use of these tools we have been given is through God. These things are to be done so that we can be successful in destroying or demolishing the things that hold us firmly contrary to the knowing and accepting of God.

Casting down imaginations means demolishing or destroying imaginations. Imaginations are our own reasonings or conceit. And every high thing, which is all attitudes or barriers, that exalteth itself which literally means to raise itself up, against the knowledge of God. This has the sense of meaning the act of knowing. It means to be skillful, well instructed and well informed. Therefore we must understand this does not mean “head knowledge” of God but a true knowledge of Him which is found in our hearts rather than our heads. The meaning here goes far beyond mere knowledge of but conveys a spirit of actually knowing in the sense of communicating with and understanding the true nature of God.

In addition we are to bring into captivity, which means being charmed or subdued by beauty or excellence; having our affections seized, and being held by strong ties of love. That love is both our love for and of God and God’s love for and of us. We are to have every thought brought into this state of captivity in God. Our thoughts are to be held captive by God through the Holy Spirit who communicates with our spirit so that our bodies and our will, emotions and thoughts are brought under His control.

We are supposed to bring our knowledge, our will, emotions and thoughts to the obedience of or obeying of Christ Jesus. The word obedience means attentive hearkening and compliance and submission. We are to bring every thought into submission and compliance to Jesus Christ through our strong ties of love for Him.

Now why do you suppose all that is? Is it because the Bible says so? Partially. The real reason is found here:

(Ephesians 6:12) 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.

The word wrestle as used here means to strive, struggle and contend with. Look at the rest of that phrase. We do not strive, struggle and contend with humans. That is right. The Bible clearly says our struggles are not with other humans. Flesh and blood is the Biblical way of saying humans. It says we wrestle NOT against humans.

We wrestle against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places. Just what does all that mean? We know that Prince Ranier was the prince of Monaco and had a principality. Do we wrestle with such as that? No, the Bible has just said the things we wrestle against are not human. What prince is there we are aware of that is not human? It is the prince of the air. It is the prince of darkness.

This passage from Ephesians is speaking of the devil and his minions. Look at the things listed: principalities – the devil has been given a principality. It is the principality of this world. He is the ruler of this world. Powers - He has been given powers. He has been given specific powers by God that can only be exercised here in this world. The rulers of the darkness of this world – these are satan’s minions. (I have not misspelled satan by not capitalizing it. I refuse to give him the respect of capitalization.) A ruler is one who is allowed to make decisions in a limited form of government. The limitations in this case are put on by God and thus handed down to his demons and such by the enemy.

Spiritual wickedness in high places cannot mean such things as false teachers as outlined in Romans 16:17 and other places. We have seen that we do not wrestle or contend with humans. We wrestle against the devil and his followers. Therefore the spiritual wickedness in high places mentioned here is the wickedness of the devil.

(Acts 13:10) And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

(2 Corinthians 11:14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

So now we have taken a look at the things of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Let us dig into them a little more deeply.

(1 Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Here we see emphasis added to the fact our enemies are not human. We do not war with humanity. Our enemy is the devil. The word adversary means enemy or foe. This particular foe is walking around spending his life hunting us. His only concern is filling his belly and that with us.

(Matthew 13:39) The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

Again we see evidence our enemy is not flesh and bone. We do not war after the flesh. Our enemy is not human, our enemy is the devil.

(John 6:71) He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

Once again we see evidence of the many disguises and the deceit of the devil. Even one of the Twelve was a devil. We must be careful at all costs. You may be saying to yourself at this point that you are confused and if the devil can disguise himself as one of the Twelve and also as an angel of light how do I know if it is indeed the devil I am wrestling with?

(1 John 4:1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:2) Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (1 John 4:3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

The answer lies right there in 1 John. Believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God. In this instance the spirits being referred to are the voices in your head. We are told not to listen to all of them. We are to try them. Try in this sense means exactly the same thing it does in a court of law. To try them is to ask them questions. Put them through the third degree if you will. The Bible tells us to ask those spirits if they are of God. If the spirit acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh it is the Spirit of God. If not it is the enemy in disguise.

In closing I must reiterate our enemies are not humans. The Bible says to honour all men and love the brotherhood. (1 Peter 2:17) Our enemy is the devil. How can we overcome that devil?

(James 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

In Christ,
George