As Christians in warfare, we are not without weapons. Our weapons are not physical or material in nature, but are moral and spiritual.
Learning how to use these weapons is a matter of our own exercise of faith. We first fight the battle in our own lives, then we can have a positive godly impact on the world around us.
In this paper, we will look two divine weapons God has given to us: Taking every thought captive; and, Righteous living. I am calling these weapons, because Paul refers to them using that language.
Taking Thoughts Captive
The weapon we will discuss first confronts false concepts and speculations that contend with the truth of God.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
This passage delineates between the material world (the flesh) and the immaterial world (that which is divine). Our weapons are powerful because they are from God’s Spirit. Our fight takes place against the thoughts, concepts, and worldviews that oppose God.
One false thought is joined to another false thought, and together they logically form a false argument. It is clear that the power and wisdom of God demolishes all of these false arguments, called ‘fortresses’ in the passage.
We should also note that it is up to us to apply God’s wisdom in His strength. This is what the warring is all about. We must measure all thoughts and concepts by His Word. Only then is His truth evident, and can prevail against falsehood.
Bible commentator Albert Barnes notes,
“We do not depend on eloquence, or talent, or learning, or wealth, or beauty, or any of the external aids on which the people of this world rely. The Christian goes on his warfare, feeling that however well adapted the truths which he holds are to accomplish great purposes, and however wisely his plans are formed, yet that the efficacy of all depends on the agency of God. He has no hope of victory but in God. And if God does not attend him, he is sure of inevitable defeat.”1
Proverbs 21:22 “A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.”
Righteous Living
The second weapon at our disposal is living a holy life. Paul characterizes it in this passage as ‘the weapons of righteousness’.
2 Corinthians 6:6-7
“In purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left.”
Earlier in chapter 6, Paul described some of the challenges and difficulties he faced in ministry as a servant of God. Then, in this passage, he lists some of the qualities of righteousness God built into his life.
A few verses later Paul quotes God out of the Old Testament saying,
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
AND I WILL WELCOME YOU.
AND I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU,
AND YOU SHALL BE SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO ME,” SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.2
Then Paul concludes by saying,
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”3
As we walk with God in this world, we are called to be morally separate from the world. The phrase ‘perfecting holiness in the fear of God’ in this passage is understood to be describing a life of moral purity.4
Through the power of God in the Holy Spirit, we are to wield the weapons of righteousness. Righteousness is expected by God, and we thus demonstrate ourselves to be His sons and daughters welcomed into His family.
Again, Barnes comments,
“They had no swords, and spears, and helmets, and shields; no carnal weapons of offense and defense; but they expected to meet all their assaults, and to gain all their victories, by an upright and holy life.”5
The Fight
Success comes in the battle only if we fight by faith. We are compelled to live lives of faith to avoid shipwreck. Keeping our conscience clean will aid us in our quest.
1 Timothy 1:18-19
“This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.”
Timothy was being instructed in previous verses to continue in the fight for the truth. In this passage, Timothy is being encouraged to stay in the faith. (I write about becoming more consistent in our faith in, Stability in the Faith).
My Experience
As I have endeavored to live by faith, I must fight against old patterns of thinking and the tendency to trust in my self. It is not that I reject the faith on purpose, I reject it by habit and as a normal way of living. In effect, faith in God is not my default behavior.
Living by faith in our Savior does not come automatically or naturally to us. Neither do we think correctly in our natural man. This is why we are instructed in the Bible to seek God and His righteousness. Additionally, we are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Conclusion
We are in the fight whether we think we are or not. The spiritual war is raging all around us. Jesus will win the war, and He wants us to also win the battle. That is why we must engage ourselves in the fight by living a life of faith in Him.
This is where God’s faithfulness can help us. Seeing the evidence of His work in our lives and the lives of fellow believers gives us confidence in Him.
At the beginning of this paper we saw that one of our weapons was to confront falsehood with the truth. We start in ourselves so we can see clearly to confront falsehood in other people.
We also learned that living a holy life was another weapon we need to employ. Living separate from the world is not withdrawing to a monastery or moving away from everyone. It is living a morally pure life in the midst of our everyday encounters.
Finally, we must fight the good fight by applying faith and maintaining a clear conscience. Faith in Christ is the basis of our lives and makes these weapons work.
1 Barnes’ Notes
2 All caps in the New Testament indicate an Old Testament quote.
3 2 Corinthians 6:17 through 7:1
4 Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
5 Barnes’ Notes