2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

This is a well-known passage, but far too many people ignore it, or at least badly misunderstand it. One thing I notice is that where the NIV says “the world” in the first sentence, the Japanese sticks with the Greek in saying, “the flesh.” I understand the decision of the NIV translators, but at the same time I think it’s important to connect all of this to our physical bodies. Of course, “the flesh” isn’t limited to our actual bones and muscles, but rather includes the emotions and motives that are so tied to our physical being. The point is, striking out when we are hurt is not effective spiritual warfare, and is generally counterproductive. As Frank Viola and others have pointed out, an important part of being submitted as a disciple of Christ is giving up the right to be offended. “I’m offended” is currently seen as justification for all sorts of things, when for the disciple it’s no justification at all. Fighting to defend yourself, rather than standing up for the truth of God, is ultimately self-defeating. That’s not to say that we are to be doormats, but it is to say that personal offense will sabotage our spiritual warfare. After all, James said “Submit yourselves, then, to God,” before he said, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) If we try to do spiritual warfare in the flesh, we are defeated before we start.

This is easy for me to say, but I’ve learned the hard way that putting it into practice isn’t so simple. The flesh is very good at taking over! I am very aware that the major struggles of my life are spiritual, but my flesh keeps rearing up and trying to take control. If I am to be effective as God’s agent, I’ve got to be fully submitted to Him. As it says in verse five here, the battle largely takes place in minds and hearts – my own as well as those of the people around me. It takes very little perception to realize that there are lots of “pretensions setting themselves up against the knowledge of God” running around in the world today, and I’ve got to be firm and loving in standing against all such lies. I can’t rely on my own “wisdom” or “gifting” if I’m to have any sort of success, but God is more than able to use me to defeat anything at all, if I will be fully submitted and available to Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. It is by turns amusing, sad, and even disgusting to see what some people are saying today, in virtually every area of life. Help me not hate any individual, but rather speak Your truth in Your love so that Your Spirit will be free to work through me to accomplish Your will for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!