Geoff Hohneck
Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians
Strategy & Method for Spiritual Battles
2 Corinthians 10:1-6
4 September 2016
The assembly at Corinth had repented, and were back on track. But Paul knows that there will still be false teachers remaining, and so in the remaining four chapters of Second Corinthians, Paul goes into battle against those who would oppose his gospel ministry.
A good soldier is compassionate and courageous (v. 1 - 2)
Paul urges the Corinthians to repent, but does so "by the humility and gentleness of Christ." He expresses his desire not to do battle with the remaining unrepentant members, but says that he will if they do not repent. In this, Paul loved his enemies as Jesus did, asking for repentance, but confronting if necessary. He displayed: meekness, which is strength being under control; gentleness, which is grace and leniency towards others; and courage, being daring and fearless in the face of others.
A good soldier is ready and resolute (v. 3 - 6).
He is ready for battle, and resolute in carrying out his mission. Like Jesus, who "set His face against Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51), despite all the agony He was to face, Paul had determined to confront if necessary, despite any pain it might cause. He fought using spiritual weapons, not worldly ones. He writes, "though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh." Although he was human, he did not trust in his own human ability.
Our battlegrounds are "fortresses," which are "speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God." The battle is against false ideologies and worldviews.
Our mission is to take "every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." This can involve conflict if necessary.
When we have to deal with error, may we do so with meekness, gentleness, and courage, desiring conflict to be the last option.