// INTRO
2nd Corinthians 10:3-6
10:3
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
10:4
(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strong holds;)
10:5
Casting 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;
10:6
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
James 4:7-8
4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
4:8
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify
[your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
- I'm going to cut to the chase, this morning, and go right the passage...
// The Situation
- Verses three and four are where Paul is simply describing our existing situation:
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
10:3
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
We are in this flesh. Period. For better or worse.
There is also a war that we are involved in.
This is NOT a war between God and Satan.
That's Hollywood fantasy.
It's a war between US and Satan.
AND it's a war between us and ourselves.
And it's a war that you don't have a choice but to be a part of.
We're in this war because of our flesh!
And there's no escaping it.
Your options are FIGHT or DIE.
There's not a neutral position you can take to stay out of the combat zones
Because the combat zones are in here... point to head
And in here... point to heart
10:4
(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strong holds;)
This war we are in, despite it being because of our flesh, is not fought
with our flesh.
Thank God, because the flesh is weak! Which means trying to fight this war in the
flesh is ultimate futility.
The ONLY way to even BEGIN fighting in this war, is to fight with MIGHTY weapons,
supplied by God!
And the purpose of these Mighty Weapons is to pull down strongholds.
Your flesh cannot pull down a stronghold.
// The Solution
- Verses five and six tells us how to deal with strongholds.
- It tells us how to pull them down, step by step.
2 Corinthians 10:5-6
Read WITHOUT notes, first
10:5a
Casting down imaginations (us), and every
high thing (Satan) that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,
(BOTH enemies do this) ...
I said earlier that our two enemies are Us and Satan.
This verse labels them both. Read 10:5a again, WITH
notes and explain
imaginations - Your imagined thoughts THAT CONTRADICT
(exalteth itself against) the Word of God
high thing - The 'whispered' lies from Satan THAT
CONTRADICT (exalteth itself against) the Word of God
A key part of both of those definitions is that they "contradict" God's
Word ("the knowledge of God")
A PRIME example of this happened in the Garden of Eden.
Satan whispered lies to Eve and she ran with them.
Satan's high (prideful) things he whispered and her own now pride-FUELED
imagination, joined together and exalted themselves against the knowledge of God
Against what Eve KNEW God had forbidden them to do.
That knowledge was overridden by her imagination combined with Satan's lies.
The result was the first and most destructive stronghold ever created in mankind.
It's the stronghold that will last longer than any other.
But even that one will be pulled down.
10:5b
... and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ;
After our imaginations have been cast down...
And after Satan has been cast down and brought low...
You're then ABLE to bring your thoughts (not imaginations) into captivity, and
under obedience to, Jesus Christ
James 4:7 puts it this way: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you."
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. ..." is the short version of 2nd Cor.
10:5
Submitting yourself to God is the only way to pull down a stronghold.
Submitting yourself to God IS the mighty weapon!
See, you can have "the knowledge of God"
But if you're not submitted to Him, it won't matter...
Why do you think that learned pastors, preachers, evangelists, etc. still fall,
sometimes?
Why do you think Jesus said, "...whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after
her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
Then He said, "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it]
from thee..."
Which leads us to the last verse...
10:6
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
This what you do at the altar.
James 4:8 put it this way: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded."
Draw close to God. Let Him cleanse your hands (forgiveness from the sin) and
purify your hearts (the spiritual 'healing' of your heart)
This part MUST be done to finish the removal of a stronghold!
Note the following passage in Matthew:
Matthew 12:43-44
12:43
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and
findeth none.
12:44
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth
[it] empty, swept, and garnished.
This same principle applies to strongholds.
If you don't complete that final step, the stronghold will still stand, and later be re-inhabitted.
Except that the next time around, it'll be FAR more destructive than it was before!
// Closing