Spiritual Weapons
How do you war against the mind? How do you subdue thoughts?
“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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2Co 10:4-6 NKJ).
What are these weapons that Paul describes as so “mighty in God” that they pull down strongholds? These weapons do not sometimes work – Paul says they cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and that they bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. That sounds powerful and effective. So what are they?
We find our answer just a few verses prior: “Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ– who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you” (2Co 10:1, NKJ).
Paul’s weapons of choice are the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
We usually try to fight strongholds with force, cast down arguments with rebuttals, and subjugate thoughts with manipulation. We don’t expect to bring down fortresses with meekness and gentleness. Yet that is what Paul chooses, and it works. That was what Jesus used, and it worked. Jesus was gentle and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29) – He said, “I can of Myself do nothing… I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:20). His absolute surrender to the will of God, His humility and willingness to obey, allowed Him to endure trials, resist temptations and live a sinless life.
In His hour of temptation, He could say, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36). So silently, He answered not a word to the angry mob, like a lamb to the slaughter He willingly went to the cross. That surrender cast down every argument.
With that kind of gentleness and meekness of Christ, there is nothing we cannot do. In humble obedience, we can bring down strongholds of addictions. In surrender, we can silence doubts about God’s existence and goodness. In submission, we can control thoughts of jealousy, anger, lust, bitterness, and anxiety.
What weapons will you fight with today?
Dear Abba, forgive me for trying to fight with human measures. It’s so easy to apply human solutions and fail. Help me instead to overcome through Your example of complete surrender to the will of God, so that You alone will be praised when the victory is won. In the name and power of Jesus I pray, Amen.