2 Corinthians 10 (7)

Our study of 1 and 2 Corinthians will resume on July 15. Meanwhile, we hope you will be refreshed in your soul by working through select psalms from our daily Scriptorium archives.

Pray Psalm 46.1-3.
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
Selah

Sing Psalm 46.1-3.
(St. Chrysostom: We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought)
God is our refuge and our strength; He is our help in times of need.
Thus though the earth beneath us should change, the sea engulf the mountain range.
Waters may roar with raging speed; yet God will rescue us at length.

Review 2 Corinthians 10.1-18; meditate on verses 3-5, 8,13-16.

Preparation
1. What the nature of the Christian’s warfare?

2. What are its goals?

Meditation
Perhaps in the minds of most Christians the locus classicus for our warfare is Ephesians 6.10-20. Here we learn about the weapons God has provided for every believer as we strive to gain daily victories in the Lord. Our duty is to understand, master, and wield these weapons day by day. But 2 Corinthians 10 adds important insights to our warfare, establishing more of the context in which we use those glorious weapons.

In verses 3-5 we learn that our warfare is both spiritual and intellectual. We fight our battles at the spiritual level, employing the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2.16) to take every thought captive for Jesus and to demolish everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Thus, the objective of our warfare is the exaltation of Christ as God, which we realize through obedience to His Word.

In verses 7-11 Paul reminds us that we are charged with a mandate that comes from the unseen realm, where Jesus is enthroned in glory, a mandate which we carry out in humility but with power in our own spheres. We look only to the Lord, that we might be more like Him and gain more of the victory He has secured by His life, death, resurrection, ascension, and rule (v. 12).

Our warfare takes place in a personal sphere—a Personal Mission Field—to which we have been sent as Jesus was sent to bring near the Kingdom of God (vv. 13-18; Jn. 20.21; Matt. 4.17). Our calling is to the Kingdom and glory of God (1 Thess. 2.12), to plant the flag of the Gospel in every place by devoting all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities to the Lord for His glory. At the end of each day, we glory in the Lord and what He has done to spread His grace and lead us along the Yes Path with Jesus.

Jesus rides forth each day, conquering and to conquer, on the white horse of His Church—you and me—and in the power of His Spirit (Rev. 6.2; cf. Ps. 45.1-4). Make sure you are armed and ready each day.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Although our souls abide in bodies of flesh and blood, the battles we encounter take place in another realm—a spiritual realm. Therefore, the weapons we use to deflect our enemies are also of a spiritual nature. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6.12).

As Elisha comforted and encouraged his fellow believer, so God comforts us. We can hear Elisha say, as clearly to us: “‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kgs. 6.16, 17).

The mountain was full of God’s horses and chariots. They were surrounded by heavenly beings of love and protection. They were in God’s hands, and there was nothing to fear.

Our battle is raging daily—hourly—and we must be always ready to deflect. We must never think that we are above the fray. We are in it, we are vulnerable, and we need God’s help. As Paul warned, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10.12).

When we fight with spiritual weaponry we are then “mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, and 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” (2 Cor. 10.4, 5). No artillery required.

“His truth shall be your shield and buckler” (Ps. 91.4).
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One Who is and Who was and Who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned” (Rev. 11.17).

“…above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Eph. 6.16).

Ready, willing, and able, in the Holy Spirit, for the daily work, warfare, and activity in our personal sphere.

For reflection
1. How do you prepare for your warfare each day?

2. What are you doing to improve your use of our spiritual weapons?

3. How do you pray for the people in your Personal Mission Field?

The work of the ministry is a spiritual warfare with spiritual enemies, and for spiritual purposes. Outward force is not the method of the gospel, but strong persuasions, by the power of truth and the meekness of wisdom. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on 2 Corinthians 10.1-6

Pray Psalm 46.4-11.
Pray that the Lord will strengthen, equip, and send you into your warfare today, that you may spread His grace and bear witness to Jesus in all you do.

Sing Psalm 46.4-11.
(St. Chrysostom: We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought)
God’s everlasting, joyous grace gladdens the city where He dwells.
Safely in Him, we will not be moved; when morning dawns, His love will be proved.
Fears and distresses Jesus dispels for His beloved, chosen race.

Kingdoms arise and rage and roar, threat’ning the earth with sore distress.
Nations may fall, earth melt away, His Word is yet our hope and stay.
God is among us, ever to bless; He is our stronghold evermore.

Come see the works of God’s Right Hand! He breaks the nations of the earth,
shatters their foolish weapons and pride, sets all their sinful strength aside.
Them He will show His infinite worth as they before His judgment stand.

Rest in the LORD and be at peace, all who are mired in sore travail.
Lift up our God, praise Jesus our Lord; proclaim to all the earth His Word!
God is our stronghold, never to fail; thus may our hope and joy increase!

T. M. and Susie Moore 

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.