Paul wrote the second letter to the church at Corinth because there were people in that church who accused him of being worldly.

2 Corinthians 10: ¹Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

²But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

³For 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;)

⁵Casting 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;

Problem

We live in a fallen creation that is no longer perfect or even good. Sin and death have entered the world. Every human being is born with a sinful, rebellious nature.

WORLD-This Satan Controlled Organized Rebellion Against God 

Willful

Organized

Rebellion

Led

Demonically

There is a war;

War =conflict carried on by armed forces

On one side is God our Creator. He is armed with love, justice, kindness, mercy, grace,    forgiveness, longsuffering and the desire for a personal relationship with every human being

On the other side is the devil and the fallen angels in rebellion against Him and armed with the evil intent to use sin to prevent and interfere with a personal relationship between God and every human being

In this war there are:

Weapons =device used in combat for attack or defense

We are flesh

Our weapons are not of this world. Neither are they human.

Our weapons are the helmet of salvation; the breastplate of righteousness; the belt of truth; sandals of peace; the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God

The enemy’s weapons are lies always-lies to encourage the desire for things and the ease of getting what we want; lies about our identity; lies about God’s identity.

Strongholds =a well-fortified place, serving as the center of the group

Is there some stronghold in your life holding you captive and interfering with your personal relationship with Jesus?

Have you talked to Jesus about the strongholds in your thoughts, attitudes, actions?

Have you talked to Jesus about the strongholds in your circumstances?

We do not war after the flesh. We are insufficient for the warfare. Paul gives specifics about not walking in the flesh.

⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,

Imaginations =forming concepts not present to the senses

Do you have unwelcome thoughts or imaginations?

Are you looking to yourself for the strength to walk obediently?

Is there some area where you think highly of self?

Have you asked Jesus for help?

Captivity =state of being held and confined; limiting ability to hear/understand the gospel

Many seeking truth remain in bondage to life-dominating sins and thoughts.

bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Have you talked with Jesus about submitting every thought to Him?

This concept has grabbed my attention. How can I capture every thought to the obedience of Jesus? When I react in anger – how can I bring that angry thought to the obedience of Jesus?

Obviously I need to be conscious of Him at all time. I need to see myself as He sees me, helpless and in need of His strength. I need to immediately ask forgiveness for wrong thoughts and ask Him to help me not to repeat that sin. What else do you think?

Power

Jesus alone has all the power Matthew 28:¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Our weapons are made powerful through Jesus for the pulling down of strongholds.

Jesus is able to use our speech, our actions to pull down the strongholds

Prayer

We cannot trust our own judgment or abilities

We have 24/7 access to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

1 John 5:¹⁴And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

¹⁵And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

What do these words mean to you?

This spiritual war with its strongholds and captivity affects you and me personally, also. Our enemy wants to use sin to interfere with the personal, intimate relationship we have with Jesus Christ.

Paul offers this hope

2 Corinthians 9:⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will         accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run to obtain an incorruptible crown!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti