The Weapons Of Our Warfare Are Not Carnal!

2 Cor. 10:3, “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 strong holds;) 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;”

We are engaged in a mighty spiritual war! We cannot afford to delay engaging the enemy. We must not be negligent in our mission as the Body of Christ. We are empowered by the shed blood of Jesus Christ to engage and defeat the enemy of all souls, Satan. All souls belong to God. Jesus has purchased all who will come to Him and receive His deliverance. God declares in Ezekiel 18:4, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine:..” However, somebody must deliver the message of Christ's deliverance.

Although we are flesh we cannot win this war through our flesh. We already know that our carnal man has failed us and we cannot defeat Satan in our flesh. The weapons of this warfare must come from a higher plane. We must be empowered and instructed by the Lord God Almighty.

Paul instructs the New Testament Church to be strong in the Lord and to stand in the power of His might. Eph. 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” What Paul is describing in this text is the power and work of the Holy Spirit which inhabits the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. Our power and spiritual energy comes through our obedience and submission to Him.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;” Paul declares that our “weapons” are not in the flesh but “mighty” in the Spirit of God so that we may participate with Him in the destruction of the “strongholds” of Satan. This is a military phrase for the capture and destruction of fortresses. Ellicott states that Paul “speaks as if leading an attack on the strong defenses of the powers of evil, possibly thinking of the great system of idolatry and impurity enthroned at Corinth and throughout the Empire, possibly of those of pride and obstinate rebellion in the hearts of his individual opponents.”

Paul knew that His task was much larger than what he could perform. He knew that the Body of Christ would need the habitation of the Holy Spirit to finish the commission given by Christ. Subsequently, we have the promise of God that as we walk in the Holy Spirit, He (Holy Spirit) will exercise His power to destroy the strongholds of Satan. 

Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual. The 1^st Century Church was not successful in their mission to deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world by human power and authority. These Disciples of Christ did not rely on learning or eloquence, or any thing that could be attributed to human ability. Their source of power and strength was solely in Jesus Christ. God’s plan has not changed. The source of our power and strength must rest solely in Jesus Christ.

In closing, I want to ask a question. Have you pulled down any strongholds recently? If not, why not? I ask myself this same question. The source of my power and strength must rest solely in Jesus Christ. And when it does the fortresses of Satan will fall, powerless in the presence of Almighty God! Bring it, Lord bring it! Help us all to die to everything that does not begin and end in You! Thank you God for considering an undeserving soul like me!