JULY 20
OUR WEAPONS ARE MIGHTY
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (WEB)
Did you know that God has equipped you with powerful weapons of warfare? Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 6:7 that God has given us weapons of righteousness in our right hand and our left hand! While we live in earthen vessels, the excellence of the power in us comes from God, not from ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:7). Even though the power doesn't originate from our self-effort, it still resides in the heart of every believer.
The most powerful weapon the enemy has is deception. In John 8:41-44, Jesus tells us that the devil is the father of lies; when he lies, he speaks his native language. His goal is to kill, steal, and destroy everything God has placed within us, but Jesus plans to give us an abundant, overflowing life (John 10:10). The Greek word for 'destroy' used in John 10:10 means to 'render useless.’ That means if he can convince us that we are not who God says we are, he will make our influence in the world ineffective.
My prayer today is that we all recognize that the power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). The Spirit of God living in us has equipped us with everything we need to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3). We do not wage war based on our natural human abilities but through the mighty power of God that resides within us.
May every feeling of victimization we face be replaced by the realization that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). May faith grow in our hearts, knowing that our Father has not abandoned us to fight these battles alone. He has given us His Spirit and the power of the resurrected Christ to strengthen us to resist the enemy.
May God grant us the wisdom to capture every negative, unbelieving thought for Christ's obedience and to put on the full armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-17
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; 16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (WEB)
For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (WEB)
Did you know that God has equipped you with powerful weapons of warfare? Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 6:7 that God has given us weapons of righteousness in our right hand and our left hand! While we live in earthen vessels, the excellence of the power in us comes from God, not from ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:7). Even though the power doesn't originate from our self-effort, it still resides in the heart of every believer.
The most powerful weapon the enemy has is deception. In John 8:41-44, Jesus tells us that the devil is the father of lies; when he lies, he speaks his native language. His goal is to kill, steal, and destroy everything God has placed within us, but Jesus plans to give us an abundant, overflowing life (John 10:10). The Greek word for 'destroy' used in John 10:10 means to 'render useless.’ That means if he can convince us that we are not who God says we are, he will make our influence in the world ineffective.
My prayer today is that we all recognize that the power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). The Spirit of God living in us has equipped us with everything we need to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3). We do not wage war based on our natural human abilities but through the mighty power of God that resides within us.
May every feeling of victimization we face be replaced by the realization that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). May faith grow in our hearts, knowing that our Father has not abandoned us to fight these battles alone. He has given us His Spirit and the power of the resurrected Christ to strengthen us to resist the enemy.
May God grant us the wisdom to capture every negative, unbelieving thought for Christ's obedience and to put on the full armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-17
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; 16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (WEB)