2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “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.”
Do you remember the movie War Room and Miss Clara, who was a mighty prayer warrior? Remember the wisdom she taught on the power of prayer in the life of Elizabeth–“It is time you take off your gloves and fight the battle with God in prayer! My God is powerful, faithful, and your best strategy!” I was reminded of this movie this week by a fellow salesman I work with, when he said to me, “We need to put that into practice in our jobs right now more than ever!” He is right.
My patience has been tested in many ways these past five weeks of isolation. Do you sense you are in a battle to maintain your joy and not give in to discouragement? Oh yes, we know that God is more concerned about our holiness than our happiness. We got that down pat. But our mind holds all of our emotional thoughts and will, which is our soul. That is where the battle rages.
Wrong thoughts and attitudes come from hell, and we need to remember that when we wonder, “Oh no. Where did that come from? I was fine just a minute ago!” Looks like a freak out moment. Have you been there, done that? I have, and someone else might come to your mind as you think about it.
Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10 that we have powerful spiritual weapons to use which are (see Ephe. 6:13-18):
- Prayer
- Faith
- Hope
- Love
- God’s Word
- The Holy Spirit
Paul’s tools for fighting his struggles in life compared to the Corinthian Christians at that time, were the following:
- Belt of truth vs. manipulation
- Breastplate of righteousness vs. the image of success
- Shoes of the gospel vs. smooth words
- Shield of faith vs. perception of power
- Helmet of salvation vs. fighting with lording over authority
- Sword of the Spirit, vs. combat with human schemes and programs
The rational way during episodes of conflict is to overpower, dominate, manipulate, and try to out-maneuver opposition. But Jesus’s method is to humble yourself, die to yourself, and let God show His resurrection power through us no matter what happens.
How do you go about dying to yourself when you face disappointment in things you are passionate about when your expectations are not met? It often takes me a day or two to pray and work through it, as it doesn’t happen instantly for me.
God’s ways break down barriers of pride. They are not tools for marketing or manipulation. God’s Word, prayer, faith, hope, love, and the Holy Spirit, tears down barriers against the truth of God. When we speak out loud the promises of Scripture, then God’s power can be engaged as He draws close to us (James 4:8), tearing down our walls of Jericho, from our adversary who tries to rob us of our joy and ability to influence others.
1 Cor. 2:5 states, “That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
Tony Evans said in his book Praying Through The Names Of God, “Elohim Chayim is the name for God that means the living God. Joshua 3:10 NIV states, “This is how you will know that the living God (Elohim Chayim) is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.” Give me discernment to see your work behind the scenes when I do not see your hand. And please go before me, as you did with the Israelites, to drive out my enemies and help me to settle into the destiny you have for me.” Elohim Chayim – the living God. I am reminding myself that in any restrictive circumstance, Christ is the living God, for there is more going on than what I (we) see.
Listen to Steven Curtis Chapman – “Warrior” (feat. scenes from War Room) on YouTube. August 26, 2015.