Several weeks ago, I sent out an email to everyone, requesting that you send me arguments and perceptions that you have encountered from people who are part of the mainstream and/or “prophetic” church. “Spiritual Warfare” was mentioned quite frequently, so I thought I would address that first. I probably will have to do several posts to cover this topic, but we have to start somewhere, right? So, let’s discuss the “weapons of our warfare”!
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 – “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Let’s take a look at these verses in context for a moment.
Prior to this verse (and after), Paul is speaking about people who were belittling his ministry. In verse 10, Paul recites what he heard was being said about him.
2 Corinthians 10:10 “For [his] letters,” they say, “[are] weighty and powerful, but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.”
Paul knew that if/when he came back to Corinth, it would be time to put his detractors back in their place.
Now, many people like to apply this verse to spiritual warfare, but contextually it just doesn’t apply.
The Wrong Way
When addressing troubles or conflicts in their life, one can expect hear “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds!!!” … and it ends right there!
I’ve heard this verse recited with PASSION and VOLUME in the middle of warfare prayer sessions in some sort of attempt to ward of evil spirits.
Paul did not write these verses to be used in some sort of spiritual warfare prayer. Let’s take a closer look.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.”
Paul was not going to come back to Corinth and hack someone’s ear off like Peter did. He knew that the wrath of man did not accomplish God’s purposes (James 1:20).
“For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,”
Paul knew that these uncarnal (spiritual) weapons were used to pull down strongholds. Let’s see what kind of strongholds that Paul was talking about.
“casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God”
OK, so we have (1) arguments … we know that people were speaking against his ministry (both his preaching style and general demeanor). That was an argument that needed cast down.
Next we have (2) “high thing(s)”. In Greek, the word is “hypsoma” [G5313], which is an elevated structure that “exalts itself”. The Greek for “that exalts itself” is actually one word, “epairo” [G1869] means “to lift oneself up in pride”.
Could this “high thing” ever refer to demonic principalities? Perhaps, but it’s a bit of a stretch in this case. The entire surrounding chapter talks about men and their prideful stance against Paul’s ministry.
Spiritual warfare just doesn’t enter the picture.
What is the end result of the use of spiritual weapons?
“bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”
The Greek for “thought”, in this case, is “noema” [G3540], which means:
- mental perception
- an evil purpose
- that which thinks, the mind, thoughts or purposes
So you see here that the conventional definition of “thoughts” is only a minor piece of the definition. Rather, the thoughts that are being addressed are the evil purposes of those coming against Paul’s ministry, the perceptions of his accusers, and the perceptions of those hearing the accusations.
Again, spiritual warfare just doesn’t enter the picture.
Paul was going to come and set the record straight with spiritual weapons. What are the spiritual weapons? Well, check out Ephesians 6 and you will get a good idea. I don’t have time to go in to each one (that will be in a later post), but notice that the only offensive weapon in our spiritual armor is the sword?
Eph 6:17 “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
It amazes me how many people want to separate the Spirit (ruach – breath) from the Word of God! (that’s also a post in-and-of itself!)
Setting the Record Straight
To sum it up, Paul was saying that he really didn’t want to have it out with the naysayers over his ministry, but if they persisted he would come and “punish all disobedience”. With what? The weapons that God had given him, with the “End Goal” of bringing everything into obedience to Christ.
Spiritual Warfare is Real
After reading this, you may (wrongly) assume that I don’t believe in spiritual warfare … nothing can be further from the Truth! I’m completely familiar with, and have participated in spiritual warfare. I’ve felt the blessing of the Holy Spirit when a battle is won, and I’ve found myself picking up the pieces when the battle goes wrong. I just know that so many of the different teachings and fads out there are way off base, and they go unchallenged because people don’t want to read the Word!
One thing I’ve learned for sure. Entering into spiritual warfare with out-of-context scripture snippets and strange unscriptural practices is like confronting an intruder in your house, and yelling “Look at my purple candy cane!!!!!”
It’s foolish, pointless and accomplishes nothing.
For the Love of the Search,
Kevin Kleint
Email: kevin@honorofkings.org
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I have one for you that I just read on one of my FB friends page. A quote by Bill Johnson of Bethel Church in CA.. I will copy and paste it.
Jn 6:63 … The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
A great quote from Bill Johnson, Bethel Church in Redding CA [with a brief annotation thrown in for free
]:
“We declare what He is saying because in that decree the words become spirit and where the Spirit is present, He manifests the Kingdom. [the literal meaning of ‘King-dom’ is ~~'the King’s royal dominion~~]. And when the [King’s royal dominion] is manifested EVERYBODY’S options have changed!”
What does this sound like to you?
Well … hehe … it sounds like something Bill Johnson would say.
If we speak the Words of God under the unction of the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom will manifest. But you must understand, to speak God’s Word in Truth, you must speak it in the context it is supposed to be in! To just randomly start quoting scripture, or to quote scripture according to our own understanding will accomplish nothing.
Hope this answers your question?
MY thoughts too!
You said, “Could this “high thing” ever refer to demonic principalities? Perhaps, but it’s a bit of a stretch in this case. The entire surrounding chapter talks about men and their prideful stance against Paul’s ministry.”
Your stance if I understand it correctly, is that this passage has nothing to do with spiritual warfare. My understanding is that it has everything to do with spiritual warfare….so its the opposite of what you are saying. Thoughts and arguments (in your mind, and sometimes those coming from outside in contention), have a huge part to play in spiritual warfare. To say this is simply about people coming against Paul’s ministry, doesn’t make any sense to me…..We have dealt with lots of demonized people, one of them was like Legion in the bible, and she was completely delivered…..took us a while mind you….wasn’t like when Jesus saw people delivered, but she was delivered.
Maybe I am just not understanding what you wrote ?
I think you understand me OK, but perhaps you don’t understand the motive behind why I wrote the article.
I know that spiritual warfare exists, as I stated above. I fully believe that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, as you correctly stated before. However, coming from a Vineyard/Elijah List/hypercharismatic background, I’ve seen the misuse of several scriptures when saints will engage the enemy, including the one referenced in this post.
If Paul was thinking of principalities and powers when he wrote “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, …” etc, why did he feel the need to physically confront the people? Why didn’t he just bind the devil and intercede? Why does the language imply actual physical arguments and mental strongholds, and not demonic spirits? From what I’ve seen, people can deceive just as easily as a demonic spirit.
From what you’ve stated (and please correct me if I’m wrong), it seems like you have a deliverance-type background?? You had said before “I have never heard it taught otherwise, and I have seen a great deal of change and deliverance in people’s lives when they take those verses at face value…..simple clear and functional….and yes, powerful!”
First, (and this is not an all-inclusive statement – so I’m not pointing the finger to you, ok?) the deliverance ministries I’ve been exposed to have been sketchy at best. You said that you have been taught differently and that you have seen results from taking scripture at “face value”. I will not challenge your success … however, I will challenge that perhaps there were other factors in play that contributed to that success. You obviously had faith in Jesus … that’s a great factor! You were willing to step out in faith and cast out the devil … that’s another plus. God honors that!
Reciting a scripture out of context? … well, I guess we disagree at that point.
Another verse comes to mind” For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places”….so even if Paul was struggling against detractors, his real battle was not against them…..That way we don’t tend to take things so personally…..
OK Val, so obviously this struck a nerve. It’s a little confusing as to actually where you stand. You start by saying you “completely disagree”, but then talk about the mind and how the battle should be won there. Then you go back and say “To say that the verse above has nothing to do with spiritual warfare seems an extreme stretch at best.” I guess I’m a little confused as to where you stand.
I disagree completely with this premise. A great deal of what we know as attack and oppression are based between our ears. Taking every thought captive is key to any kind of deliverance or freedom from bondage, including addiction, lust, depression, suicide, rage etc. Yes, there are “power encounters” as well, when necessary but so much can be changed through repentance, forgiveness, and a mind that is filled with truth, not the garbage that the enemy throws at us. He is the accuser of the brethren. So where do those accusations take place? Usually in your mind. He accuses God to us, people to us and ourselves to ourselves. To me, it is basic to Christian living to understand these things. To say that the verse above has nothing to do with spiritual warfare seems an extreme stretch at best. I have never heard it taught otherwise, and I have seen a great deal of change and deliverance in people’s lives when they take those verses at face value…..simple clear and functional….and yes, powerful! To me the prancing and dancing and pleading has a lot less to do with deliverance and I don’t know where it comes from. Without obedience and submission to God you can scream all you want….it won’t do much. * Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you*
LOL. I love your statement about: ” Entering into spiritual warfare with out-of-context scripture snippets and strange unscriptural practices”
I see and hear many things for which I can find no basis in The Word. I do not remember people in the Bible going around anointing things with oil or any other thing, unless God instructed them to. I do not remember reading where anyone ever said, “I plead the blood.” I do not remember whirling dervishes outside of Tibet, or people writhing like snakes, or saying the same things over and over. I think much of what goes on in churches are inventions of men (includes women). No wonder the world is still lost.