It has been a month or so since I have posted anything. The lack of posting hasn't been because the Father has not been speaking! God is always speaking. I think you hear that from me often enough. I was working on something and just happened to look up a scripture in 2 Corinthians that is very familiar to most believers. However, this time when I read it something else stood out to me.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6
"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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."
This portion of scripture is often quoted in reference to spiritual warfare. However, when quoted...( I have quoted this scripture in this blog) it usually is only quoted to verse 5. At verse 5 after the word Christ there is a comma, not a period. The next verse, six, is what stood out to me..."being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled". I am going to admit upfront, even while I am typing this I know for sure that the Holy Spirit has not fully revealed to me what he was trying to show me that particular day. But I have been meditating on it, so I will share what I have so far.
If you recount the Apostle Paul's history with this church, you know He had some really strong words for them in his first letter. I am not going to go through all of 1 Corinthians but just note that some issues included sexual immorality, idols, offerings, operation of spiritual gifts and love. Weighty issues. So that explains a lot of what the tenth chapter is speaking to if you read the quoted verses in context. Many of us, myself included, are guilty of taking scripture out of context which then hinders our understanding of it. If you read the entire chapter, the Apostle is addressing issues that have come about in the church regarding his spiritual authority. From my reading of the text, I see the Apostle addresses words or comments from believers about his authority. Now think about how we use these scriptures....speaking about "pulling down strongholds and casting down imaginations". Usually, we (notice I am saying we) are referencing demonic forces! In context, however, the Apostle is speaking about believers speaking against his spiritual authority. Read the chapter. It seems like the people in the church were a little upset about what he had written previously in his epistle to them and when they finally saw him in person...well let's just say...people starting talking!
Verse 10, "For his letters", they say "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible." SAY WHAT!!! I can't even imagine the opposition that the Apostle Paul dealt with after his conversion. He is called as an apostle after having 1) persecuted the church 2) stood by at the execution of Stephen and 3) not even walked with Jesus while he was on earth.
I think the recent tv mini-series A.D. did a pretty good job of depicting the difficulty that Paul, formerly Saul, had gaining the respect of the other Apostles, especially Peter. Let's just say this brother had a hard row to hoe! Talk about breaking up ground! Talk about blazing a trail! This is the real deal. Jesus told Saul he would suffer many things for his name's sake.
BACK TO THE CHAPTER: Basically the Apostle is defending his spiritual authority and letting this church know that he understands that his weapons are not fleshly or carnal. He is telling them that he will not engage in fleshy battles over stuff that is not even determined by people but rather determined by God. The people wanted to question his authority and even were going as far as making comparisons. Sadly, this is something done often in churches. We are not supposed to compare "our" gifts or "our" callings. From scripture, we know the gifts and callings are from Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and from God. They aren't OURS to make comparisons. The Father calls and chooses. ( Romans 11:29, Romans 12: 4, 5) Jesus gives the gifts of ministry. ( Ephesians 4:11-16 ) The Holy Spirit gives the gifts of the Spirit that are manifested as He wills. ( 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11). Unfortunately, most of us probably would not have "qualified" Saul for ministry! Can we all thank our Father, that HE is God and we are not! Let's leave those things up to the Omniscient One.
VERSE SIX: So what is the Apostle really saying in regards to spiritual warfare? I can't say I understand it all but I believe that in verse six he is addressing disobedience and obedience. He is letting them know that he knows how his spiritual authority works and that he will address disobedience in order to edify and ensure that obedience is the standard. Strongholds, arguments and pride, no matter their origin (demonic or carnal), are made subject to the obedience of Christ. Our obedience in Christ is what determines the exercise of authority. Not outward appearance. Not opinions of men. Not even our opinion of ourselves. The Apostle was clear in making this distinction. He recognized his sphere of authority and that this authority is by appointment of God (verse 13), not men.
It is carnal to judge by outward appearances. It is fleshly to form opinions about others concerning "their" spiritual authority and calling. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are in charge of that stuff. We need to be concerned with our own obedience. Our obedience is what is important. I think that God wants us to stop comparing ourselves, His gifts and His callings and get more focused on obedience. We should simply judge ourselves, making sure our own thoughts are not strongholds, our own imaginations aren't exalted above Christ, and bring our own thoughts to His obedience. So that we know we have FULFILLED OUR OWN OBEDIENCE and have no need to be judged for disobedience.
I heard a minister say...God's love language is OBEDIENCE.
That is what I am "talking" about...OBEDIENCE.
© Ronda Wagner and Kelbey Chronicles, 2013-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ronda Wagner and Kelbey Chronicles with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
