“…Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
Dear Ones:
In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he pinpoints the very essence of the spiritual warfare that we, as Christians and disciples of Christ, are engaged in. He deals with the battle for the mind, specifically, what the thoughts are that we have, embrace, and make or own. Solomon, in the book of Proverbs writes: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (23:7) Why does he make this statement? It is because we will BE, act and talk, according to what we think. We are in essence WHAT we think. Paul takes us to the very essence of the matter of thinking by contrasting the truth of God in Christ, as compared with “imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” (2 Cor. 10:5) He paints before us the picture of “strongholds,” fortresses of resistance that stand blatantly, arrogantly, against the truth of God. In essence, these godless imaginations and thoughts, having their origin in the unbelieving heart, are lies. They are perpetrated by Satan himself. Herein is the point of battle, to know and proclaim the truth, in the power of the Spirit, so that light will penetrate the heart and mind. When there is a knowledge of the truth, and the living testimony of the power of God according to that truth, then “the walls of Jericho” can, and will fall in individual hearts and minds, and faith will be born.
To help us see how important it is to wage this warfare, dealing primarily with the knowledge and adherence to the truth, let us look at a certain confrontation between the Lord Jesus and Peter. There is no doubt that Jesus loved Peter. He had chosen him, and knew that he would become a pillar of the early church. However, there would be a moment, when Jesus would speak of His upcoming suffering, and death at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, to become the Savior of the world after rising from the dead. Peter would confront Him, and say: “Be it far from you, Lord: this shall not be unto you.” (Matt. 10:22) The Lord would then address Peter in very precise and forceful terms: “Get thee behind me, Satan: you are an offence to me: for you desire not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (v.23) What is He addressing here? He is addressing what Peter is thinking, thoughts which are not the thoughts and will of God. Jesus gives no quarter to these thoughts, as He knows where they are coming from…Satan.
Again in the book of Proverbs, we read: “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (23:23) What is the issue here? It is that of seeking and receiving the truth, as it is of God, from heaven, and perfectly realized and expressed in the life and person of the Lord Jesus Christ. God will never bless a lie, only the truth as it is seen and known IN Christ Jesus.
Dear Father, in this spiritual warfare where our enemy, Satan, is ever seeking to plant the lie, and distort the truth. Give us grace to be unceasingly vigilant and persevering to seek Thy truth, to know it, and to share it with others. Then, we shall see light come into the hearts and minds of men, and faith will be born, a faith that results in the power of God manifested. We thank Thee and praise Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad