2022_09_30 Insight Post- Emma Keeton
This week’s reading- 2 Corinthians 9-10
In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul teaches us spiritual warfare lesson 101. Paul is defending his ministry to the Corinthians after they had accused him of being timid in person but bold from a distance. Paul answers:
“For though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons of war 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.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Paul’s defense of his apostleship gives us much practical application for our own situations. Although we are Christians, for many of us, patterns of sin (a.k.a. strongholds) are still in our lives. This deeply rooted sin can be a problem for years and does not seem to budge despite our best efforts. We often find it wrapped up in guilt, shame, and inadequacy and keep it a secret.
Satan can only have power over us if we give it to him. If we allow sin to exist, we have given the enemy a foothold, and it can feel like there is a war going on within us. But there is good news! While we live in this world and have bodies that are flesh, we do not live by the world’s standards or play by its rules. As Christians, we can overcome deep-rooted patterns of sin with the weapons Jesus has given us through His death on the cross. Jesus overcame death and sin so we can demolish strongholds and take our stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-18 shows us how we should ‘get dressed’ to stand firm for our spiritual battles.
The belt of God’s TRUTH should be around our waist
The breastplate of God’s RIGHTEOUSNESS is on our chest
Our feet are ready because they have been fitted with the gospel of PEACE
Our FAITH is a shield that extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one
God’s WORD is our helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.
Prayer
Father God, help me see where there is sin in my life. Hear my prayer for help as I long for victory over it. Thank you that you have provided me with everything I need for that victory, and let me lean on the body of Christ you have given me for help. In Jesus’ name.
Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead