2 Corinthians 10:4; The Weapons of Our Warfare

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

When Jesus betrayed by Judas Iscariot and unjustly hurled away by the men instructed by the chief priests and elders of the people, the disciple Peter drew his sword and struck a servant of the high priest’s and smote off his ear (Matt. 26:51).

Jesus rebuked Peter to lay down his sword – Matthew 26:52-56 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Our Lord provided for us the example. Indeed, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. It is the power of darkness that employs such carnal means. MacDonald observed insightfully, “The Christian, does not use swords, guns, or the strategy of modern warfare in spreading the Christian gospel from shore to shore. But those are not the only carnal weapons of which the apostle is speaking. The Christian does not use wealth, glory, power, fluency, or cleverness to accomplish his aims.”

He further said well, “Rather, he uses methods that are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Faith in the living God, prayer, and obedience to the word of God are the effective weapons of every true soldier of Jesus Christ. It is by these that strongholds are razed.”

May the Lord grant His people such godly disposition in the advancement of the gospel work in God’s way. Amen.