Day 202/260: Read 2 Corinthians 10

In medieval times, the Catholic Church waged a war against Muslims in an effort to recover the Holy Lands. Eight major expeditions occurred between 1096 and 1291. Many lost their lives in these savage, bloody wars.

The children of God are at war against the forces of evil, but Paul reminds the brethren in Corinth that “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.”

We are to “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1 18); the Christian “must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). Yet we do not use the traditional weapons of war such as swords and shields, or in modern-day parlance guns and bullet-proof vests. Rather, our weapons are of a spiritual nature, designed to protect ourselves and make our enemies reconsider their rebellious position against the Lord.

Consider the metaphorical weapons Paul describes in Ephesians 6. Most are defensive, designed to protect ourselves; only one is offensive, and it is the Word of God. When we face our spiritual foes, we must be armed with the Scriptures for God’s Word is the final say and the ultimate authority.

Are you ready to go to war?

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Pray

Pray for strength in the spiritual war in which you are engaged.