Pulling Down Strongholds

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. 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. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Existence in Two Realms

Paul existed in two realms:

The natural or earthly realm

The spiritual or heavenly realm

The Natural Realm

During his earthly walk, Paul faced major challenges and conflicts.

Paul experienced the same trials, weaknesses, and infirmities as other human beings.

Paul experienced the same resistance, rejection, and persecution as other believers.

The Spiritual Realm

Earthly problems did not shake Paul’s approach to ministry.

Earthly problems only reinforced the need for spiritual solutions.

Paul recognized the spiritual nature of fleshly conflicts.

The REAL Enemy

Paul was conscious of the REAL enemy.

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

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.

ILLUSTRATION: Recognizing the REAL Enemy: Bull Fighting

Bull Fighting is a great example. There is a conflict staged on the field between the bull and the bull fighter, i.e., the Matador. The Matador is like the enemy and the bull is like the believer. The Matador is no match for the bull. Yet, the bull almost never wins and dies on the field. The reason? The Matador uses a red cape to distract the bull. The bull keeps attacking the red cape being waved in front of it. Each time the bull attacks the cape, the Matador sticks a sword in its back. This only inflames the bull so that it keeps attacking the cape with more ferocity. Each time the bull attacks the cape, another sword is plunged into the bull until it finally falls to the ground defeated and dying. If the bull every realized who the REAL enemy is, not the cape but the Matador, the battle would be over. Believers must stop focusing on the devil’s fleshly distractions and engage him with the spiritual weapons God has provided. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Paul did not fight spiritual battles in the wisdom, strength, ability, or tactics of his flesh.

We cannot win against a spiritual enemy with fleshly weapons.

“If we let passion take the place of judgment, and self-will reign instead of Scriptural authority, we shall fight the Lord’s battles with the devil’s weapons, and if we cut our own fingers, we must not be surprised.” --Charles Spurgeon

The REAL Battle

The REAL battle is the battle between TRUTH and the LIE.

Revelation 12:9 NKJV

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 NKJV

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

John 18:37 NKJV

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

The Weapons of our Warfare

Our weapons are not carnal (fleshly) but are mighty in God.

Pulling Down Strongholds

ARGUMENTS

“Arguments” (KJV—Imaginations”) are “reasoned” and “pre-determined” decisions that are contrary to God’s revealed truth.

Arguments are well-defended LIES intended to defend willful disobedience, prejudice, superstition, bold speculations, sophisticated reasoning, false philosophies, false doctrines, counterfeit spirituality, idolatry, and moral wickedness.

HIGH THINGS

A “high thing” refers to things rooted in cosmic or mystical “revelations” and “speculations” that deny or undermine the truth of God.

We are to “cast” or “pull” down every argument and high thing that is lifted to challenge the true knowledge of God.

THOUGHTS

Thoughts refer to misguided thoughts that, when entertained, can unsettle our faith and lead us into temptation and error.

We are not to entertain aberrant and sinful thoughts. They are trespassers that must be arrested and cast out.

We must overthrow arguments, high things, and misleading thought by bringing them into subjection to the TRUTH.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Response to the Word

You are living in two REALMS: Flesh and Spirit

Recognize the REAL enemy

Recognize the REAL battle

Use spiritual weapons to defeat the REAL enemy

Pull down the strongholds of LIES

Renew your mind to the TRUTH

The TRUTH in God’s Word

Call upon Jesus. He IS the TRUTH

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

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