They said he was bold with his letters and wimpy in person.

They said he preached with impure motives to draw attention to himself.

They said he was flesh controlled rather than spirit-controlled.

These words had to cut especially deep considering all Paul had endured to bring the good news of the gospel to those who now falsely accused him and others who didn’t defend him.

He is begging those, whom he had called brothers and sisters in Corinth, to deal with these false accusations before he arrives there (2 Cor 10:2).

And then he says, those famous words… those words that embolden and encourage our weary hearts, “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. (v 3-6).

When trouble comes, our hearts can keep going when we remember our weapons are powerful and not of this world.

On a high hill overlooking ancient Corinth was a fortress. The Corinthians were all familiar with this sight and Paul used this imagery when he confidently told them- strongholds can be pulled down, arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against God will be cast down, WHEN we bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

As our thoughts are hedged in by the truth of the Word (you need to read it daily!), we find ourselves free from the lies of the evil one.

We know we have a future and a hope. (Jer 29:11)

As you remember what God says about you, the lies of others have “no legs” to stand on and fall to the ground.

I know I am who He says I am. And so should you.

The world may judge us by our outward appearance (v 7) and the things they think they can know about us, they may misunderstand us, they may not appreciate us, they may even falsely accuse us and seek to harm us…

BUT we don’t class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves (v 12).

No! If we want out-of-this world freedom—We have to get our eyes off other’s opinions of us (good or bad), and their treatment of us, and focus on what God says is true about us.

As we do this, as we remember the battle belongs to the Lord, we fight with spiritual weapons far greater than our flesh could ever muster on our own, we get real peace and the Kingdom of God advances.

“But he who glories, let him glory in the Lord. For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends”. ( 2 Cor 10:17-18).

Oh friend, let’s live for His glory! When we keep our eyes on Him, when we live for Him…we can walk on in powerful peace!

readCorinthians

kimjaggers.com