New Creation: A Study in 2 CorinthiansSample

What does it say?

Paul defended his apostleship against the lies of Judaizers by depending on spiritual weapons, not worldly tactics.

What does it mean?

False apostles had cleverly poisoned the thinking of some Corinthians. Paul recognized that the effort to discredit him as an apostle was actually a spiritual battle opposing the message of Christ. He defended his apostleship against the lies of Judaizers but did not use worldly tactics. Paul urged the Corinthians to depend on spiritual weapons, such as prayer and God’s Word, and to remove anything that elevated itself against God. Every thought must be brought into submission to Christ.

How should I respond?

Spiritual strongholds in your life start as a thought, then build. The only way to make every thought obedient to Christ is by saturating your mind with Scripture and staying close to God through prayer. In what area do you have faulty thinking? What mental temptation are you currently facing? Ask God to protect your mind and guide your thoughts to truth. Place 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Romans 12:2 on index cards where you’ll see them every day. You can’t reach your spiritual potential until the battle for your mind is won.