Spirit War
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewHow do we respond to offers of battle?
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Transcript
The war between spirit and flesh, the wisdom of God and the intellect of man, has been a chief point since Adam and Eve took that first bite. We often wrestle ourselves with what is right, doctrine, etc. Colossians 2:8–10 “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”
The false teachers that have come into “Corinth” bring immorality, rebellion, and strange interpretations of the Word of God in opposition to what the Word actually teaches. Paul here wants to establish why its dangerous and why they should listen to him and what real Apostleship looks like.
1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 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, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Pauls text here doesn’t seem defensive but offensive. The christian here takes down walls, breaks through barriers, simply by following the one that cant be stopped. Why?
Because Spiritual Warfare is an essential element of the Christians walk, our life. If you don’t experience spiritual war, you aren't a believer. Tozer said,
Do you find your own heart sensitive to the Lord’s presence, or are you among those who are “samplers” and “nibblers”? God help you if you are, for the child of the King isn’t a sampler and a nibbler—he’s a sheep who loves his Shepherd, and he stays close to his Shepherd. That’s the only safe place for a sheep—at the Shepherd’s side, because the devil doesn’t fear sheep—he fears the Shepherd. Your spiritual safety and well-being lies in being near to the Shepherd. Stay close to Jesus and all the wolves in the world cannot get a tooth in you.
Psalm 23; John 10:11–15
The Counselor, 17.
A. W. Tozer
Those who follow Christ, stay close to him, we want to be close, be in the light, be near the shepherd, etc. If jesus is battling, we are too because we are right there with Him.
1-3 The Question 4-6 The Response
Now, Paul's request here isn't just about donations but a general call almost like a battle horn, demanding attention and obedience to marching orders. Normally he would just be allowing people to follow and obey at their own pace, but they have shipwrecked their walk, abandoned what is right and are damaging their testimony of faith.
1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
Some look at this as Paul saying the false teachers and their followers accuse him in this manner. Thats possible and this is talking about it, but this also be Paul saying dudes I’m an Apostle (capital A). He has authority and when he was there he gently and kindly led the congregation toward Jesus. But now, He has to get real (almost like they were accusing him of being a scroll warrior).
Pauls pleading (parakalo - request, appeal to earnestly) is never in just obeying him, but obeying Christ. We always make following Jesus about what we get but Paul is always reminding the Church, pleading with them to give themselves to Jesus - Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
We think a peaceful and gentle leader is just a pushover, but Paul reminds them, Jesus was too. Until it was time to not be. And he is gonna go for chapters almost all the way to the end of 13
2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
He had said in 1 Corinthians 4:21 “What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?”, Paul can but doesn't want to. Occasionally, a shepherd might have to deal with the trouble sheep with varying levels of severity. But at the same time, here Paul begs.
we all think it will be something like that, getting fired, losing privileges, etc. but Paul says we wont respond like they do in the flesh, the false teachers wrested un-given authority, were encouraging blasphemous behavior, did not live what they supposedly taught, etc. Paul isn't going to respond on their level but on Gods level.
Note too, Paul makes a request, he tells them please understand my boldness when I do arrive. Boldness in the flesh doesn't do this. But a spiritually bold man is different. Paul begs. (deomai) he begs, prays, entreats for what he cannot do. Obey for them.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
The war and warfare that Paul uses is stated at the beginning of this campaign. Notice too, its not personal, its warfare of a different sort.
Strateuometha from Strateuo and warfare is strateis. the First is to engage in a war the second is War. (Note though is a campaign, not just a battle or skirmish). We also get our word strategy from this. This is engaging as a soldier. God gives us our rules of engagement.
we all think it will be something like that, getting fired, losing privileges, etc. but Paul says we wont respond like they do in the flesh, the false teachers wrested un-given authority, were encouraging blasphemous behavior, did not live what they supposedly taught, etc. Paul isn't going to respond on their level but on Gods level.
Can you think of a time when people didn't respond like the world but was obedient to the strategies of God.
The Lord doesn't call us to flesh 1 Corinthians 1:26 “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” so we shouldn't say God tells us to do sinful things to accomplish His ways. He continues in 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
with this we go to
The Response 4-6
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 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, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
The first thing he says is our weapons aren't carnal. Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” he told timothy 1 Timothy 1:18 “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,” In Joshua 6, Israel was told to fight Jericho that they would simply march around the walled city 7 times for 7 days, then the walls came tumbling down. Jesus in battle with Satan used the Word of God, not Kung-Fu. Though both would've been cool.
The weapons Paul used were the proclaimed Word of God and prayer (Eph. 6:17–18)
Secondly, this spiritual warfare can pull down strongholds. What is a stronghold? Its a fortress. Notice its not by a set way, method, etc. Note to that it can take years to conquer a stronghold. Though Christ and His ways might accomplish it much quicker. Still, we can break the strongholds that people set up against God.
here is the only time this word is used, God is our fortress Psalm 9:9 “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.”
worldly strongholds cant last. But the Word of our God lasts forever.
Thirdly, cast down arguments & Every high thing (again siege talk) arguments. Personal philosophies, false worship, no matter how we identify, God can get through. here again its coming against it can take time, or blaze through like a fire. 1 Corinthians 1:19 “For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”” 1 Corinthians 1:25 “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” Gods wisdom will tear them all down.
High thing, Most idolatry was held in the high places among the trees So this could be a reference to idols or false religions, but It also might be the placement of each of these bastions being lifted up by men above God. High thing: Hypsoma is the world above. It refers to things lifted up. We often lift up our own thoughts and philosophies to the level of God. How could, why did, people deride God and claim the bible simply to be written by a man when it is just a simple man making that statement. Pharaoh vaunted himself, Exodus 5:2 “And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.”” but he eventually was made low.
We vaunt our own worth too high at time. Yes we are intrinsically valuable because Jesus paid a high price for us, but that isn't speaking of your “self-worth”. We are not on Gods level. 1 Corinthians 3:19–20 “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.””
The knowledge mentioned here v5 is gnoseos - its an experiential knowledge of God. When we put our own presuppositions aside and simply read the Scriptures simply, we see the wisdom and power in His Word. Haven’t you experienced this real? Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”
Gods word captures the simple thoughts of men. We must submit to experience His peace, mercy and grace. What did jesus say in Matthew 11:29–30 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”” I cannot take his yoke, if my estimation is so high i cannot bend to receive it. He is in the yoke with us and he is steering the team. Knowing Jesus is immense and real and the church here in Corinth is in real danger 2 Peter 2:20 “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.”
Obedience and disobedience. Captured. The one who mocks God is not in the yoke. Proverbs 24:9 “The devising of foolishness is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.” to hear Gods words ringing true in the teaching of Paul requires the same thing that Jesus said, look, Psalm 18:44 “As soon as they hear of me they obey me; The foreigners submit to me.” Jesus: Luke 6:46 ““But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” and here Paul is speaking to those who claim to be following the Lord! Luke 11:28 “But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”” those who are His, do what He says. Hebrews 5:9 “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,”
Paul's desire to bring the corinthians under christ isn't him dominating but setting them in their proper place, returning them to freedom in Christ and not giving into the world, false teaching, etc.
Paul also makes a a daunting statement in 6, when you guys get it, we will deal with the leaders. Spiritual warfare can seem daunting because we often have expectations of dealing with confrontation, methods, means, etc. But how God does battle is on a whole other level. And Pauls desire here is that all would be obedient because he wants to just build without having to fight. 2 Corinthians 13:10 “Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.`”
So what does this mean for you and I? Firstly this means we will have struggle. There will be battles. Its where we live right now. We simply need to follow Pauls call in Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” he says, Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
It means we (and Paul) aren’t trying to win an argument but become obedient. He is sanctifying us for obedience, not to make us feel good. However, when you obey Jesus’ commandments, you live the best version of your life.
Stand on your faith, stand on what you know to be true about God, stand in faith when the attacks come. Quit thinking if you just say the right thing, do the right thing, etc, that all these battles will end. Look to Jesus and put your burdens on Him. Stand knowing how powerful and real is the Word that fights for you. Stand know that the Gospel has the power to save and change us. Stand in Christ for He lives in you.