Divinely Powerful Weapons

2 Corinthians 10:1-6

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (vs 3-5).

In chapters 10-13 Paul is defending his authority, given to him by God, (just as God gives each one of us authority in Him!) toward a minority of Corinthians who were criticizing him as someone who was not impressive in his preaching - but more powerful (to them) in his writing. He speaks to his standing in Christ - which also speaks to our standing, in the verses above. He writes that although we live in this world, we aren't of it (for more insight - http://www.gotquestions.org/in-but-not-of-world.html). Since we aren't of it, we don't see, understand, nor act in the ways of the world.

Paul uses the analogy of war. Our weapons aren't like the world's weapons - our weapons are of divine power! Our weapons can tear down strongholds - grips and attacks of Satan, the flesh (our own sin), and the world (system)! Guns, cons, manipulation, beating down, persuasive words and glitter, intelligence and debate - these worldly ways do not have divine power - God's power. They are an end in themselves. They last as long as the next time. They are selfish, self-centered, and ultimately no match for God's power.

Paul was being criticized/evaluated by a few according to their standards - Greek eloquence and superiority (in their own eyes!). Paul let them know that their standards did not match up with God's wisdom and ways. Paul was "God's guy"...he was seeking to be and do according to God's ways. The Holy Spirit, Faith, Prayer, Hope, Love, and God's Word - these were Paul's weapons - these are our weapons...the world, the flesh or the devil are no match to God's weapons - for God's people (Ephesians 6:13-18).

How about you? What about me? Are we depending on God and His weapons? God's ways and wisdom in this world for our time? Or are we depending on the world's way - our own strategies, strengths, abilities, - matching, going tow-to-tow with our opponents?

"Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit, Faith, Prayer, Hope, Love, and Your Word - thank You for the relationship we have with You - that You have initiated and that by Your grace we continually seek to be before You. Speak to each one of us about areas where we are depending on ourselves and the world's ways rather than Yours. Thanks for loving us God, we love You...help us to love You more and more!"