SPIRITUAL WEAPONS

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

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.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NKJV

Our commitment to Christ is the key to unlocking the ability to pull down the spiritual strongholds of Satan in our lives. What are spiritual strongholds? Paul defines them clearly for us in today's verses. Strongholds are "arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God"-fortresses of lies against the truth of God in our lives.

As followers of Christ, we engage in spiritual warfare with the mighty weapons God provides. This spiritual struggle ensued long before we arrived on the scene, but we are not helpless in the face of evil. We take back spiritual ground that our enemy, Satan, has stolen from us and those we love.

We are not created to hide behind the walls of the church, to merely defend ourselves from the schemes of the devil. We are created to offensively establish God's kingdom here on earth, to ward off the fiery darts of the evil one, to make war in heavenly places, and to gain ground for the cause of Christ.

Jesus told us that the "kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (NKJV).

This spiritual violence of which Jesus speaks describes how Satan strikes at us. He is intent on our defeat and our destruc-tion; he sets out to disrupt, damage, and ultimately, destroy our lives. He will infiltrate our emotions, relationships, health, and finances. John 10:10 makes it plain that he comes to "steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (NKJV).

No matter the spiritual violence that he attempts to wreak on us, as believers, we can set him in full retreat through the power that we have through Jesus Christ. When we submit our lives to God, when we engage the mighty weapons God has given, and when we resist the devil, he will flee before us. We have authority through the name of Jesus, the power of His Word, and His overcoming blood. Our Savior will crush him under our feet and lead us to victory!!!

Father, thank You for this day and Your Word that gives us the authority and power to take all thoughts captive. Lord, open the floodgates of heaven and rain down Your abundant blessings upon us and our family today. Lord, make us bold in the power of Your light. Lord, help us take back territory that the enemy has stolen from us and those we love. Lord, lead us to engage the enemy with courage to advance Your kingdom here Spiritual Weapons

on earthl. Lord, use us to be the breath of Your love to chose in need of it.

Father we love You. Amen.