2 Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
2 Cor 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
2 Cor 10:5 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.
These are very powerful scriptures, in which the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Corinth, defends his apostolic ministry against those that opposed him, or the enemies that came against him, as he preached the Gospel of the Kingdom in Jesus name.
Some of these individuals who came against him were not only outside the church, but some were in the church!
Understand that anytime that we preach the glorious Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ, there will always be naysayers and unbelievers that speak against the church, the people of God, those that preach the Gospel and stand strong in the Word of God.
He affirms this in the scripture 2 Cor 10:10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”
In other words, they said, “He speaks or says big things in his letters (epistles) to the churches. But he is not as bold in person!”
Paul then responds by saying something so profound in 2 Cor 10:11, ” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.”
In other words, Paul said I am very humble, but whatever I write in my letters, I will back up when I am present! (I like that!) Paul was basically saying, I am meek, but I am not weak in Jesus Name!
Paul’s Apostolic ministry was backed up by the power of the Holy Spirit and his ministry was confirmed by the churches he established, the Epistles of the New Testament he wrote, his missionary journeys, and the impact he had on Christianity and the Church!
In his response to those that came against him, he gives us some powerful words of encouragement!
2 Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
2 Cor 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
In other words, although we are human and walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh! Paul is telling us that fleshly weapons are effective in a fleshly battle. But spiritual weapons are effective in a spiritual battle!
In other words, you can have all the guns and knives that you want, and they may indeed inflict damage, but only in a physical sense. Spiritual battles are won in the spirit, not in the flesh!
Why? Because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, or of human or fleshly devices, but are mighty in God to the pulling down of strongholds! Amen.
Those that walk according to flesh may not understand this. But spiritual power is greater than physical power!
Paul told the Ephesian church in Eph 6:12, 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.
The battles in the earth are all of spiritual origin which manifests in the natural or physical. This is why he tells us to put on the full armor of God in Ephesian 6:13-18.
The weapons that we have in Christ are of a spiritual nature, which are very powerful if we truly understand them! The LORD showed me years ago, that some of the weapons of our spiritual warfare are prayer, prophecy and praise. Some may say, how Pastor?
Well, let me briefly explain. Prayer is powerful! It is a spiritual virtue that has been around for thousands of years. It is so powerful, that Jesus told us to pray and not faint. (Luke 18:1) and Paul told us to pray without ceasing. (1 Thess 5:17)
Jesus also said in Mar 11:24, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. “
Whatever we need both spiritual and physical comes through the power of prayer. When you read the Bible, all of the Old Testament Saints understood the power of prayer.
You can read about Moses, Joshua, David, the Prophets, others and even the LORD Jesus who understood the power of prayer and overcame the enemy through prayer.
Prophecy is very important in scripture as well. Truth be told, the majority of the Bible is prophetic. To prophesy means to utter by divine inspiration, or to speak what the LORD says. Someone once said, “Every Prophet will Prophesy, but not everyone who Prophesies is a Prophet!”
Prophesy also encompasses speaking what God has said in his Word. The most powerful books in the Bible are from the Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. The greatest Prophet to ever live was Messiah Jesus Christ!
So, when we talk about Prophesy, we should say look to God’s Word. Job said :
Job 22:27 You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, And you will pay your vows.
Job 22:28 You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.
The scripture says in Rom 12:6, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.
Prophesy is so important that it can be found in Romans chapter 12, 1 Corinthians chapter 12, and also Ephesians chapter 4, where we find the office of the Prophet.
Praise is also a spiritual weapon. The Bible says in Psalm 8:2, Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have ordained strength because of thine enemies, that you may still (or silence) the enemy and the avenger.
The word strength in the Hebrew is “oze” which means force, security, majesty, praise, boldness, loud, might, power, strength, or strong.
So, when you praise radically, you release force, strength, power and might which stills or silences the enemy or avenger. In other words, your praise is a weapon that silences the devil!
Remember the words of Paul, that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are indeed mighty in God, to pull down the strongholds of the enemy!
Remember to always pray not be faint (Luke 18:1), prophesy according to your faith (Rom 12:6), and bless the LORD through your praise at all times! (Psalm 34:1)
These spiritual weapons will give you the strength to cast down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and give you the victory in Jesus’ name!
God Bless,
Pastor Quinn