THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE
2 Corinthians 10:3-7
Morning Meditation 11/29/17
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) 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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's."
The idea of warfare is very emphatic in this passage. It is not a warfare after the flesh; it is Spiritual warfare. The believer has abandoned Satan and his kingdom and has become a part of God's kingdom. So we can expect Satan to come on the attack. The victory is ours through Jesus Christ. Let's notice first of all--
OUR ENEMY
Satan and his kingdom of evil spirits, called demons, stands ready to make an assault on us any time we give him ground.
This is brought out in 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
The flesh is a mortal enemy of the Spiritual life. Paul says, "Though we walk in the flesh (body) we do not war after the flesh" (vs 3). Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." The flesh is never satisfied with Spiritual truth. It is like gravity. It never lets up. 1 Corinthians 15:50, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."
The carnal mind. "Because carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Have you ever tried to train your flesh to be holy? I know better and I still catch myself trying to train the flesh to be holy. The carnal mind is not "subject" to the law of God. The word "subject" is a military term and has to do with soldiers under the command of a superior. If a superior gives an order in the army, you jump to it. The flesh can hear the command but it cannot obey the command. Note: "Neither indeed can be."
The imaginations. Paul calls on us to cast down "imaginations" and every "high thing" that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. The word "imaginations" translates "logismos," and means, "a reasoning: such as is hostile to the Christian faith." Paul says to cast down these imaginations. The word "cast down" translates, "kathaireo" and means, "with the use of force: to throw down, cast down." We are not to tolerate thoughts contrary to the revealed will of God. It is our responsibility to cast them down. We can't keep the thoughts from coming but we can abandon any possibility of fulfilling these wicked imaginations.
There are times when I am shocked at thoughts that enter my mind. I order them to go back to the giver in Jesus Name. Next let's look at--
OUR WEAPONS
Paul says, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." We do not enter into a physical contest with the apostates. Our weapons are spiritual. The word "carnal" translates "sarkikos" and means, "human: with the included idea of depravity."
The believer is against Satan by the New Birth. The New Birth puts us on God's side and we must make war with Satan. We have the weapons. The Bible, prayer and fasting, Scriptures stored in memory, etc. Next let's consider--
OUR VICTORY
Our victory is sure. Verse 4 says, "The pulling down of strongholds." One of the strongholds is our self will. The Lord taught His disciples to "deny themselves." That does not mean to deny self's existence; it means to deny the desires of the self life. Eph. 6:10 says, "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
Another of the strongholds is lust. We are living in times when sex is discussed in the open. This is Satan's way of drawing us away from our walk with the Lord.
Our victory is to be complete. It is complete because we enter into His victory over Satan. John 12:31, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." Jesus went to the cross as a Mighty Warrior. He came away a winner over Satan. Colossians 2:15 says of His accomplishment at the cross, "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."
How does this bear on us? Romans 8:37, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
Jesus put His Ownership Seal on us when He saved us. Romans 8:37, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.
In Christ
Bro. White
