Reflections from September 2, 2010

Paul reminds us of the strength and weaponry we have through God when he writes in 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 you obedience is filled."

This reminds me of another scripture, loosely paraphrased, that reads when Christ is for us, who can be against us?

For our weapons are might in God...That to me is a very powerful verse. We have the strength, in God, to counter any attack against Him and Christianity through the written word. Many may not believe the Scriptures as the written word of God although there is strong evidence of that; but they will never be able to provide a stronger argument than what is written in scripture.

However, this warfare goes beyond those who argue against Jesus and the gospel; it's within us as well. We are constantly being attacked by Satan to bring us down, to discourage us, and to get us to turn against God or at least to not look to Him for help and guidance. When that happens, we need to invoke the three R's of Spiritual Victory; Recognize, Resist and Rejoice. The first one is to recognize the source of the attack. This is the enemy at work. He's attacking me. Having recognized it, then I can deal with it by resisting it in the name of Jesus. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. And then the third key to victory is to rejoice in the victory of the Lord over the powers and the forces of darkness, and as you rejoice you find the depression goes; you find that the irritation leaves, and you begin to really feel victory in Christ. And what a difference the day becomes because you have taken that victory that is yours through Christ over this attack of the enemy against you.

(Thanks to help from Chuck Smith for comments from www.blueletterbible.org.)

Blessings to all