(2 Corinthians 10:3-5) "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
It is clear that we are walking in the flesh. We can see our flesh when we look in the mirror. If you are not convinced that you are walking in the flesh, next time you are hammering a nail just hit your finger.
Paul tells us there is a battle going on, but it’s not a human battle. Ephesians 6:12 says that we are wrestling against forces, authorities, rulers and powers of darkness. Most people go through life and eventually meet their death without ever realizing there is a battle. The battle is for your mind and your life. But we have free will, we can choose to overcome the battle. We can choose to turn on the light.
So how can we turn on the light? Paul says we have weapons or tools that are mighty to God. Although Paul does not say what God's mighty weapons are in this verse, he does say what the results of using God's mighty weapons can be. He says they can pull down strongholds and cast down imaginations (human reasoning) and every high thing that keeps us from knowing God. If we can use these tools to turn on the light, then these tools seemed worth considering to me. What are God’s mighty weapons and how do we use them? I found several in my search, and will give a brief overview of what I found. We are not powerless, we have tools. We have free will, we can choose to use the tools.
Jesus explained the first and ultimate weapon that God has provided for us when he spoke with Nicodemus in John 3:1-21. It is also explained in 1 John 5:4-5, James 4:7-8 and throughout the New Testament in many other places. “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:4-5)
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (see Luke 4:1-13), he overcame using the spoken word. Jesus simply spoke the word out loud as it applied to suggestions that were presented to him. When Jesus was asked to prove his divinity and to simultaneously satisfy his hunger, Jesus spoke the word out loud as an answer, "it is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'" (Luke 4:4). This silenced the suggestion on that point. Jesus used the spoken word for each temptation.
Without a doubt, praise and gratitude are major weapons. Praise and gratitude release the presence of God in a powerful way. (Psalm 8, Matthew 21:16) The strength which God has ordained for us is made perfect with praise and gratitude. Perfect praise, whether it is spoken out loud or sung to music, silences suggestions of doubt and fear. God’s spirit manifests in praise and gratitude. "But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel". (Psalm 22:3). When King Jehoshaphat came against a vast opposing army bent on Israel's destruction (2 Chronicles 20), Jehoshaphat put a group singing praises to the Lord on the front line going into that battle and won. It is also no accident that King David, perhaps the mightiest warrior for God in the Old Testament, was a man of praise and gratitude to God. His strength was rooted in the joy he gave God through praising God and showing continual gratitude to God.
Prayer is a tool we should use all the time. We are told in the Bible to pray without ceasing, so we should at least aim for something close to that. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) We can fill our hearts and minds with God's promises, and we pray as Jesus Christ did with power when we pray the word. But mostly prayer is simple - JUST PRAY. Talk to God out loud in active faith using affirmative words of trust and victory in God. When we pray without ceasing, miracles happen.
Your testimony is an effective tool. Tell other people what Christ has done for you. Tell yourself your testimony - encourage yourself in the Lord - "forget not all His benefits". (Psalm 103:2) Tell God your testimony - praise and thank Him for it. Paul used his testimony in confronting King Agrippa and the Roman Governor Festus when called to account for his activities and the reasons for which he was accused by the Jews (see Acts 26 - also Acts 22). They overcame him ... by the word of their testimony. (Revelations 12:11) Everyone born of God has a testimony, no matter how large or small it may be. It is yours and God’s Spirit will lead you.
The Name of Jesus Christ is authority and power. We can do the things that Jesus did and even greater things in his name.
Fasting detoxifies the body, humbles the soul, humbles the flesh, and when done for God brings us into line with God's spirit. Jesus fasted in the wilderness and by speaking the word in the face of great pressure Jesus defeated his enemy. He was our perfect example in all things.
Learning about spiritual tools is a great thing and we don't have to be a preacher or religious leader to use them. God sent Jesus Christ to show us the way.
(I am able to point to the verses I have used and see the actual verse on the screen of my Windows laptop. I downloaded the FREE version of Instaverse (KJV) at
http://www.instaverse.com/ Unfortunately it doesn't work for iPad.
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