Every Christian is in a battle fought with weapons. The apostle Paul writes to the believers in the city of Corinth about that battle and those weapons, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NASB).[1]
As Paul writes these words near the end of his letter it’s important to remember the context of what he writes. Earlier in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians he mentions that the Corinthians had been influenced by impressive credentials (1 Corinthians 1:26), that they liked polished speech (1 Corinthians 2:1), and that they were evaluating things according to the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:2). Yet Paul intentionally did not use those items when he wrote to the Corinthians. Paul tosses those methods of persuasion out (Philippians 3:4-8).
Instead he used the word of God and prayer (Ephesians 6:17-18) and he depended on God for strength (1 Corinthians 2:4-5) because his goal was to make people obedient to Christ and not to Himself (1 Corinthians 2:5).
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians remind us that he’s not fighting the outward war like everyone else (v. 3) because the weapons of a Christian are not of the earth (v. 4), instead we fight the war with our thoughts and our minds (v. 5). One way we wage our war with our minds is through the Word of God. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). We must read it, memorize it, and meditate on it daily.
A second way we wage war with our minds is through the Holy Spirit’s help. The third member of the Godhead—the Holy Spirit—indwells us and guides us (1 Corinthians 6:19). He gives us the right words to say in difficult circumstances, He cautions us on what not to say, and He brings memories back to our minds when we might need them in the fight that we are engaged in every day (John 16:12-15). As humans we are weak in the flesh, but with the Holy Spirit living inside of us (Ephesians 5:18) we are strong (Galatians 5:22-23).
A third way we wage war with our minds is through prayer. “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Eph 6:18). We do not just pray in the morning or in the evening before bed, we should engage in prayer throughout the day. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing.”
Our battle as Christians is a tough one. We might not have the scientific knowledge or ability to argue with philosophy like some people do in our culture, but through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit’s help, and regular prayer, we can battle the flesh with our minds.
[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.