3
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
4 The
weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they
have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5 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.
Strongholds
(1) In military terms, what is a stronghold?
(2) In military terms, why is it a good strategy to pull down enemy strongholds?
(3) The Corinthians passage talks about a war in which all Christians are involved. What is that war?
(4) What is each side hoping to gain if they are the victors in this war?
(5) How does this passage define what a stronghold is in this war?
(6) Each side uses strongholds. What is the one stronghold where Christians can be safe (Psalm 18:2)?
(7) What kinds of things might make up the enemy’s strongholds?
(8) Enemy strongholds exist in individual lives. Where else can they exist?
The Enemy
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devil's schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
(9) This passage identifies the enemy we fight. Who is that enemy?
(10) What is our enemy’s weapon? How would you describe that weapon?
(11) What role do strongholds play in our war with this enemy?
Weapons
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to
stand.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the
breastplate of righteousness in place,
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of
peace.
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and
requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the
saints.
(12) 2 Corinthians 10:4 says that our weapons “have divine power”. This passage lists our armour and weapons. What are they?
(13) What do the following Scriptures tell you about the Christian’s armour?
(a) Truth (John 14:6)
(b) Righteousness (1
Corinthians 1:30)
(c) Peace (Ephesians
2:14)
(d) Faith (Romans
12:3; Ephesians 2:8)
(e) Salvation (Psalm 27:1)
(f) Word of God (John 1:1)
(14) How do you use this armour against the enemy and in tearing down strongholds? (HINT: It has nothing to do with doing your best to be truthful, righteous, etc. because Galatians 3:1, 3 says: “Who has bewitched you . . . Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”)
Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” BACK
2 Corinthians 10:4 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” BACK
John 14:6 “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”BACK
1 Corinthians 1:30 “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”BACK
Ephesians 2:14 “For he [Christ] himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility …”BACK
Romans 12:3
“For by the grace
given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than
you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with
the measure of faith God has given you.”
Ephesians 2:8
“For it is by
grace you have been saved, through faith
-
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God …” BACK
Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?” BACK
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” BACK
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