Our Weapons
Written by Trisha Winter
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Looking deeper into these two verses, I found an understanding of verse four in the study notes from my ESV Bible. To paraphrase what is written, the weapons of our warfare are not physical but are spiritual. Our weapons are God's word, prayer and Holy Spirit. It seems simple enough, doesn't it?
Paul talks about walking in the flesh and not waging war according to the flesh. We think, “ok, the armor of God”. It is not mentioned in 2 Corinthians but we all know the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6:11. But do we really know what Paul is talking about when we read verses three and four? I don’t think we do, but that is my opinion. We all have our own opinions on what these verses might mean. We are all at different points (places) in our lives and that is the best part of digging into a verse or two and even a whole chapter at a time. We all get something new and different out of it.
However, let's take a look at what is in verse 3, from my deep dive and study of it. We read that “we walk in the flesh”. We can all agree that we are flesh and blood (I hope we all agree on that, lol). Walking in the flesh is our own humanity, the people around us. The flesh is our everyday life, the things we do in it and the world as a whole. Yet, what do we understand about “not waging war according to the flesh”? What is war? Is it physical or spiritual, both maybe? I think that answer is different for each of us as individuals. According to the deep dive I went into for verses 3 and 4, it is more spiritual than physical. We are waging war against sin and the Pharisees of this world (the flesh).
In verse 4, we see that we are to wage war not with weapons from wars of the flesh but that of divine power. What does this look like?
First, it is reading our bible:
Learning what God's Word says and what it tells us about who God is as a whole (the trinity).
Knowing what God is teaching us and what Jesus is saying is the biggest weapon we have against the sin of this world and from those who would put us down.
Knowing what the bible says or at least knowing where to find the answers, is the first weapon we have against the strongholds that keep us from our faith.
In Romans 5:8 Jesus died for us, such is our divine weapon.
Our second weapon is prayer, the way we speak to God, the way we communicate our sin and most of all our heart. God knows everything about us, but He still wants us to speak to Him and seek Him out, and we do that through prayer.
Our third weapon is Holy Spirit, for without Holy Spirit we would not be able to know when God is speaking back to us (not in actuarial words).
In conclusion I found in my study that we are not to follow the way of our flesh and that of what the world is doing around us. As followers of Christ, we are called to be more like Christ. For with God's Word we can fight against the flesh of this world, we just need to find the way in which to use God's armor (words) to help us in our everyday lives.
Ephesians 6:10 through 18 (ESV)
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
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 firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and shaving put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Reflection Questions
1, What are you fighting against today?
2, Out of all of God’s armor, what piece do you think you use the most?
3, Do you agree with the weapons listed above (God’s word {bible}, prayer, holy spirit)?
