“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4
What a man of God Paul the apostle was. When I think of Paul I think of the word, complete. He was humble, understanding it was not him but God’s spirit living in and moving through him that was powerful. He was knowledgeable, studying to show himself approved, a biblical workman who would not need to be ashamed. He was passionate, reaching out to the Corinthians with an open heart even when they fielded gossip about him. And here, we see he understood the unseen forces at work in our world and he understood how to have VICTORY OVER THEM.
He says here to the Corinthian believers, “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.” Many believers wrestle for decades with the same things because they fail to recognize it’s a spiritual battle. If we attempt to have victory over a spiritual opponent with “carnal,” meaning fleshly devices we will only be going in circles. We must RECOGNIZE the enemies working and then RESIST him by the authority and victory and power of the CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST. Our authority comes from our new last name of the family we have been adopted into…JESUS’ name.
Then Paul continues and says, these weapons are “mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds.” Approximately 100 years before Paul was born into the city of Tarsus in the region of Cilicia, the town was being oppressed by pirates who lived in the caves of the rocky terrain outside the city limits. When the Romans took power over the city they knew something had to be done. So, rather than go into hand to hand combat with these pirates on their terrain, they simply destroyed the rocky caves; might we say blew up all of their enemies strongholds. That’s precisely what Paul is pointing to. Where is the enemy’s camp in your life? Is there a place around your life where the enemy can rest and wait for a more opportune time to attack? Follow the Romans example in this and destroy it… get rid of it… blow it up… and have victory.
May you experience a walk with God that is free from the strategic strongholds of the enemy in your life. May you let God lead you in authority to raid all of the enemy’s camps in and around you. In Jesus name!
By His Spirit,
Pastor Bill