2 Corinthians 10:3-6
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
There is a war raging all around us—an unseen war, a war between the forces of hell and the Kingdom of God. Though this war continues, it has already been won. But the war Paul speaks of in our passage is not this cosmic struggle—it is the battle within, the conflict waged daily in the life of every believer.
We live in a peculiar situation as Christians on earth. Our allegiance is to the Kingdom to come, our King is the King to come, and our reward is in the life to come. All our hope is laid up in the future world, and yet we must war on in this present one.
Paul reminds us: "We walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh." Though we live in this world and carry on in this life, we do not fight by the same means as the world. The world, as a system, has its weapons—carnal weapons like pride, power, position, and wealth. These have been sufficient to capture and enslave the souls of men for millennia. These are the weapons that assault the Christian, but these cannot be the weapons by which we fight.
Our weapons are of a different caliber—greater in strength, for they belong to the world to come. Grace has proven sufficient to overcome the greatest assaults. Love has proven stronger than death. Forgiveness has won more wars than might ever has. And it is by such weapons that we must fight.
Pulling Down Strongholds
These weapons are mighty "through God to the pulling down of strongholds." A stronghold is a fortress. In battle, an enemy will seize strategic positions—hills, valleys, ports—to cut off supplies, communications, or reinforcements. So it is in spiritual warfare.
Satan seeks to build strongholds in our lives. He would erect a tower of sin to block the blessings of God. He would fortify walls of bitterness to isolate us from our brethren. He would construct bulwarks of pride to sever our communication with Heaven. These are the strongholds we must be vigilant against—those built in our minds and hearts.
To "cast them down" is to advance, overtake, and destroy them. Just as Israel marched into Canaan and overthrew its cities, we must, by God's power, tear down these fortresses of sin and reclaim the ground that belongs to Christ. Scale the walls of pride, demolish the cities of bitterness, and cast out every thought that dares to build unlawful structures on the property bought and paid for by the blood of Christ—your life.
Christian, the weapons He has supplied you with are sufficient for victory. Too often, we live in defeat, not for lack of power, but for lack of fighting.
Hold the Fort
Once you have cast down those strongholds, once grace has conquered every rebellious thought, and Christ reigns without rival in your heart, be ready to hold the fort.
"And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."
Never forget—though today’s battle is won, the war still rages. If you grow complacent, the enemy will rebuild. Be ready at a moment’s notice. When the Holy Ghost sounds the alarm in your soul—when He warns that disobedience is creeping in, or pride is slipping over the line—act swiftly. Tear it down while it is still a manageable foe.
Walk in the flesh, but do not war after the flesh. Fight on, but let your weapons be supplied from the armory of Heaven. If strongholds remain in your life, war on—the weapons we wield are powered by our Creator, and they are mighty to conquer all our foes.
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