SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Scripture Text 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

INTRO: In John 10:10 Jesus says that Satan our enemy that has one goal. That is to steal, kill, and destroy. His target is all mankind. He will establish strongholds in our lives to destroy us and steal the abundant life that Jesus died to give us. We must be aware of his tactics and fight him with the weapons God has given us.

I. WE ARE IN A WAR  2 Corinthians 10:3b (NKJV) we do not war according to the flesh. On one side we have our weakness, the Fleshly lusts and worldly way of thinking. Paul said that although he and his fellow workers were human, they did not wage spiritual war with human plans and methods. Human wisdom is incapable of victory over spiritual things. Devil is a spiritual being, stronger than you and I. We cannot defeat him in our own strength, that is why so many are struggling and being defeated by the things they face on a daily basis. You cannot defeat Satan by yourself! We must be strengthened with spiritual might that comes from God.

II. THE DEVILS TACTICS (V:3b)2 Corinthians ^3a For though we walk in the flesh, He appeals to our flesh or the old sinful nature. His favorite tricks are to lie, deceive, or tempt to indulge in some sinful habit. He makes situations and circumstances appear overwhelming, hopeless. He loves to use fear. Because where fear is, faith is absent. He likes to terrorize. He uses people to come against us. He uses our pride, anger, envy, and unforgiveness to divide and conquer us. He will discourage you from reading your bible, praying and attending church.

III. THE WEAPONS 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, Our weapons are not carnal. That is, they are not of man's devise, nor are they wielded by human power and reasoning. They do not depend on anything that is in this world. They are Spiritual weapons. They are mighty in God. The Holy Spirit equips Christians for the struggle, providing the weapons they need. God’s mighty weapons are faith in Jesus, and the word of God which is powerful and sharper than a double edged sword. Through the Spirit’s power we live in truth and righteousness.  We have the Spirit’s help when we pray. Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV) ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Spiritual weapons can pull down strongholds. Stronghold is referring to fortress on top of a hill overlooking everything below! It is very hard to scale and overcome. Strongholds represent all the difficulties that men or devils can put in our way. Strongholds represent Arguments and high things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God found in His word. Anything that goes against God’s word must come under Christ’s authority. Satan always questions and perverts God’s word.

IV. THE BATTLEGROUND, Our mind. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV) 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.  The believer must cast down "every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God": Those false ideas about God, false teaching, false human reasoning’s, human pride and arrogance, self-sufficiency and self-righteousness that are opposed to God’s knowledge. God’s knowledge is His word. Everything that is in opposition to His word we cast down or count as nothing. We must read God’s word and study it to gain His knowledge. We as believers seek to captivate every thought and bring it to the obedience of Christ. A phenomenal statement—every thought controlled and subjected to Christ! How is the control of every thought possible? Only by being surrendered to God and filled with His Spirit! Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. This is the spiritual objective of the true Christian believer. God created man for fellowship and communion, therefore, the true believer wars—struggles and fights—to captivate every thought and focus it upon Jesus and His righteousness. We should not hold on to thoughts that do not conform to the life and teachings of Jesus. We must discipline our bodies and seek to walk in unbroken fellowship and communion with God. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 

INVITATION: God in His knowledge says that all have sinned and fallen short of His glory. The wages of that sin is eternal separation from God’s presence. But the gift of God is eternal life. Which do you choose? If you choose life, confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins against Him. Invite Him to come and live in you and give you eternal life. Then you will be able to overcome Satan’s attempt to destroy you and steal your joy.