THE ONGOING WAR
2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5
2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 NKJ
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 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,
OBSERVATION:
As I am writing today's devotional, there is a war going on between Russia and the Ukraine. There are other conflicts taking place in the Middle East and Africa. I do not know of a time when there has been absolutely no fighting.
Even though we may not be engaged in a physical war in America, there is still warfare taking place.
There is spiritual warfare that takes place in the lives of believers. And it's an ongoing war. The war we are fighting now takes place in our minds.
This is why Paul stated we were not fighting with carnal or fleshly weapons. Our weapons are mighty in God. And with our supernatural weapons, we attack the strongholds that have been set up in our minds. And we defend the thoughts that come against us.
This passage is the subject of books, but we'll take a quick look at what this warfare is in our lives.
There can be constant thoughts of unworthiness and failure that assaults our minds. In some cases, these thoughts have played in the background of our thinking for years. In other cases, it seems as if these thoughts are surrounding our minds like a swarm of bees.
But we are not helpless. We have God's word and the power of the Holy Spirit to throw down these thoughts. We have the ability, enhanced by God, to take thoughts captive instead of allowing them free reign.
This is not an easy process. But it is a possible process. And the more we practice, the better we become. Elite soldiers train to get better, and so can we. We need to. We are in an ongoing war.
APPLICATION:
I remember a time when the enemy was assaulting my mind with a constant barrage of failure and fear.
Thankfully the Holy Spirit helped me see these thoughts were not from God, so I began to take God's word and fight back. None of the lies and threats of the enemy came to pass. By the grace of God, I won that battle.
But it wasn't my last battle. While we are on this earth, we are in an ongoing war.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, that I am not helpless against the attacks on my mind. Thank You. I can win this war.