Our War

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NIV)

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. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Devotion:

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Paul draws a sharp distinction between the nature of spiritual battle and the warfare familiar to the world. Though we live in the midst of everyday life’s struggles, our fight is not against flesh and blood, nor do we use physical weapons. Instead, we are equipped with powerful spiritual tools—prayer, faith, truth, and the Word of God. These weapons are not weak or ordinary; they possess divine power, capable of demolishing strongholds that may have held us or others captive for years.

Paul speaks of “strongholds,” those deeply rooted patterns of thought or behavior that resist God’s truth. These could be lies we’ve believed about ourselves, doubts that undermine our faith, or temptations that seem insurmountable. The world might try to overcome such obstacles with willpower, self-improvement, or distraction. Yet, God calls us to a different approach: to confront every argument and pretension that sets itself up against His knowledge, and to actively “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

This is not a passive process. It requires vigilance and intention. Each day, we are bombarded by messages and influences that try to shape how we see ourselves, others, and God. Paul encourages us to examine our thoughts, filter them through the truth of Scripture, and submit them to Christ’s authority. When an idea doesn’t align with God’s Word—whether it’s fear, pride, anger, or despair—we are to reject it and replace it with what is true, noble, and praiseworthy.

Obedience becomes the heart of spiritual warfare. As we grow in obedience, we find strength to resist disobedience and the lies that fuel it. Paul promises that, with complete obedience, we are empowered to punish and overcome every act of disobedience in ourselves and help others do the same. This transforms our minds and hearts, enabling us to live with the freedom Christ offers. Today, let us ask God to reveal the strongholds in our lives and grant us courage to use His weapons—prayer, His Word, and the guidance of His Spirit—to tear them down and walk in victory.

Prayer:

            Lord, we ask you for strength in the battles that we know we will face in this world. Empower us by the blood of Jesus Christ and the fact of His resurrection to see that we are guaranteed victory over our enemies, the flesh, the world, and the devil. Be our refuge, dear God, when the battle is too much for us to bear. May you be glorified in us as we depend on you for the ability to fight and win our spiritual battles. Amen.