“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.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

We have heard the phrase, “Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.” On a deeper level, that is the mistake the “false apostles” in Corinth made with Paul. Paul asked, “Do you look at things according to the outward appearance” (2 Corinthians 10:7)? Such was the case. Through deceit, his opponents were corrupting the minds of the Corinthians “from the simplicity that is in Christ” (11:3). They did so by attacking the apostle Paul on a carnal level – “’For his letters,’ they say, ‘are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible’” (10:10). They tore down the Corinthians’ beloved Paul with lies, and petty observances wrongly interpreted, and built themselves up in the minds of the Corinthians – an impressive façade hiding corruption and evil – “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (11:13-14). Their tactics were effective to a degree, which caused Paul great pain – “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved” (12:15). Yet, Paul was confident he would expose the “false apostles” and their erroneous doctrines, and recapture the Corinthians for Christ. He knew these deceitful workers had brought a knife to a gunfight – “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” (10:3-4a).

Paul’s goal was not carnal. He did not seek to win a popularity contest – “We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us…But ‘he who glories, let him glory in the Lord’” (10:13a, 17). He was not craving the Corinthians’ money – “I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge” (11:7). His work as an apostle of Christ was to “[bring] every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (10:5b). Thus, he used weapons “mighty in God” (10:4) which would decimate any ploy from Satan’s army. No carnal weapon could rival that which is found in the arsenal of God. He had laid the foundation of Christ in Corinth (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11), and would continue to build on it, wielding the sword of the Spirit, and adorning it with the fruit it was producing in his life (cf. Titus 2:10; Galatians 5:22-26).

It is troubling to see some waging the spiritual warfare with carnal weapons. Many have lost sight of the goal, i.e. to “[bring] every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (10:5b). Such can only be accomplished by the unadulterated preaching and teaching of the doctrine of Christ. It is that fragrance which the apostles – themselves being Christ’s captives – diffused in every place (2:14). “His knowledge” is that which will captivate the honest hearts, and renewing them day by day will work in them an “eternal weight of glory” (4:17). Yet, any who are taken captive under carnal weapons are not captured by Christ, but have been seduced by the “god of this age” (4:4). They will have no root in themselves, but will wither away as soon as their faith is tested. Do not be deceived! Any souls captured with carnal weapons in this spiritual war are not taken captive to Christ, but to the transient attractions of this world.

Weapons we must not wield in this spiritual warfare for their carnal nature could include:

Emotionalism

It seems that more are losing sight of the makeup of the spiritual man – that inner being which is the only facet of creation bearing semblance to the Creator. The “image of God” (Genesis 1:27) that we were created in has been reduced merely to an emotional entity. Emotional highs are mistaken for the inner man pulsing with spiritual growth. For this reason, more preachers are appealing to the emotional man, rather than the spiritual, and more listeners are seeking such. This is especially true when considering the youth. In my younger years, and being considered as a youth still, I considered it a slight to hear a lesson targeted toward young people like myself which simply attempted to trigger emotions. It is as if some view the younger Christian as a spiritual being of emotion, rather than faith. Faith cannot grow without the word of God (cf. Romans 10:17). The truth of God’s word will surely produce emotions in the man captivated by it. However, those emotions are byproducts, not that which carries spiritual substance itself. God’s will is to build faith by the teaching of His word (cf. Ephesians 4:11-16). Emotions rise and fall, as will the man taken captive by them. “But the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

Intellectualism

A British Philosopher of the 17^th century, Thomas Hobbes, in his book titled, “Leviathan,” wrote, “Scientia potentia est,” or, “Knowledge is power.” This idea has penetrated some in the church – that knowledge of the Bible is equal to spiritual empowerment. This is only partially true. Peter wrote, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3). It is in the “knowledge of Him” where all spiritual blessings, and empowerment to work the works of God lie. However, this knowledge is not the mere possession of facts. The Greek word is epignōsis, which Strong defines as “recognition, i.e. full discernment, acknowledgment.” Vine comments on the term as to what constitutes this “full discernment” – “expressing a fuller or a full ‘knowledge,’ a greater participation by the ‘knower’ in the object ‘known,’ thus more powerfully influencing him.” Jesus’ teaching shows this to be the case. He said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). It is not enough to know the facts. The commandments of Christ must be applied to everyday life. The preacher or teacher who gives a detailed analysis of a Bible text or topic, but gives no time to distinctive application, only does half the job. Those captivated by mere intellectualism will not even start down the path of righteousness unless what they learn is applied.

Concealment of Commitment Costs

When teaching others about Christ, Satan lays before us the temptation to hold back the most challenging facets of Christianity. Peter told those on Pentecost to “repent” (Acts 2:38). Some become guilty of neglecting to investigate the implications of this command with those they are evangelizing. Recently, I studied with a couple who showed great interest in the gospel, and desired to become members of the Lord’s church. In our study, we reached the topic of repentance. The concept of repentance was discussed, and the two understood. However, it was necessary that they understood distinctive applications of repentance that the Lord required for their sins to be washed away. They had a date booked to get married. However, in our study we discovered that they had no right to each other, and would have to exit the relationship if they wished to follow Christ. Like the rich young ruler, they went away sorrowful, for they did not wish to follow Christ at the expense of their relationship. Some might suggest that I should have looked past that for the time being. Others, like Homer Hailey, might suggest that baptism would wash away that which God had bound together, and they would have the right to marry. However, to ignore the topic, or even encourage their relationship to win them over for Christ would have been foolish, and ineffective. Thoughts would not have been taken captive to Christ. Jesus said, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). We must not conceal this cost of commitment if we seek to save souls.

Sensuality

Some, like Peter’s audience, seek to lure others, and are lured themselves by a false claim of liberty. However, “while they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage” (2 Peter 2:19). I am convinced that false doctrines such as the inclusion of sin into Romans 14, and “continual cleansing” are often taught and promoted, not because the truth is difficult on such subjects, but because they are perceived as greater weapons to win over souls for Christ than the truth. Whether admitted or not, the thought is, “If I can find a loophole in the Bible’s requirement for moral living, more people will be won over.” If you are fully convinced in your own mind that what you are doing is acceptable, even though scripture clearly condemns it a sin, we can receive you – false. Or, if you have been baptized into Christ, every time you sin His blood immediately, or continually cleanses you – false. The truth is not hard to know – have no fellowship with darkness (cf. Ephesians 5:11), and you must confess your sins and repent of them (cf. 1 John 1:9). These are just two examples of the carnal approach of appealing to the sensual man by neglecting spiritual truths to win people over. Such a one won over does not have his thoughts taken captive to Christ. “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).