For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
– 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
This is a hard truth to remember and live out. When things happen and people hurt us we often respond in the flesh because that’s where we feel the pain and see the hurt. When we respond in the flesh, we are not really getting anywhere because that is not where the real battle is. So how do we fight in the spirit and what are these weapons we are to use?
The first thing that pops in my mind is the weapons described in Ephesians 6:10-18. The belt of truth is listed first and is at our core. Everything we do and say has to be founded in truth. The word is truth and remembering that God loves and we are to love others. That is not to say we affirm their sin but love them and the truth, knowing that we have sinned and fall short of God’s standard.
Next we have the breastplate of righteousness. We have become the righteousness of God through Jesus (2 Cor 5:21). When we believe in him, we receive that breastplate of righteousness. Jesus and the righteousness we receive through him is the core of everything. The core of our beliefs, where we respond from, and where we love others from. His righteousness covers our heart and protects us
Our feet have the gospel of peace. We need to walk in peace and keep the peace. That is done by bearing with one another and forgiving one another (Col. 3:13). When we choose to forgive, it stops dissension. It removes anger from us and allows us to walk in peace. We also walk in peace as we lift our prayers with thanksgiving to God (Phil. 4:6-7).
Next comes the shield of faith that extinguishes all the flaming darts of the evil one. When we have faith in God in who He is, that nothing is impossible for Him, and that He loves us, it stops the attacks of the enemy from penetrating. The attacks will still come. However, they will not be able to stop our joy or bring us down because we have faith in Jesus. Faith that He will bring us through, deliver us, and never leave us or forsake us. We trust Him completely so those flaming darts can’t penetrate us.
The helmet of salvation protects our mind. Until we are saved, we can’t understand biblical truths. When we are saved, we have the Holy spirit to guide us and bring understanding to the spiritual truths in the Word. We can also more easily discern the lies of the enemy. That helmet of salvation brings us into right thinking because we now know and understand the truth.
After that we see the sword of the spirit, the word of God. It is imperative to get to know the word and use it in battle. Jesus used the word when combating Satan in the wilderness (Matt. 4). The word is also how we are able to take our thoughts captive as instructed in 2 Corinthians 10:5. We take thoughts captive when we no longer dwell on them. We replace them with the truth of the Word, doing what Phillippians 4:8 tells us “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.“
Lastly, we remember the final weapon of warfare is prayer. If Jesus took time regularly to pray to the Father, then we who are imperfect, definitely need to be doing this. We have a direct line to the Maker and Creator of all things. Talk to Him and listen for His guidance. This is truly a powerful weapon that changes lives, hearts and circumstances.
Use the weapons He has given us and take our thoughts captive. When we are hurting, when the lies of the enemy are spoken by people or just intruding our thoughts, when the world seems to be crashing down with one thing after another going wrong, remember this truth. The truth is we are in a spiritual battle and we have the King of Kings with us and for us. Nothing is impossible for Him. We can be learning many things for our good while displaying and showing the love and peace of Christ to those around us as they observe us walking through these hard times.
Written by Rebecca Murzin
