2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV) 3For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:3 (ESV) 3For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV) 4For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Strongholds: castle or fortress; places the enemy has easy access to and can hide within
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) 5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Strongholds: thought-patterns, assumptions, opinions, and beliefs that give the enemy easy access into our minds
The Knowledge of God: the intimate awareness and interaction with the character and activity of God, namely truth as He defines and embodies it in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) 5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
“Take every thought”: Truth (the knowledge of God) is to become the standard by which all our thoughts are to be filtered through and judged by.
“Captive”: Every thought not in alignment with truth is to be considered hostile and deadly and is to be take captive as a prisoner of war.
This is how strongholds are both built and destroyed: one thought at a time.
Repeated Thoughts — Beliefs — Actions — Habits — Character
John 8:31-32 (ESV) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
We must be aware of and intimate with Truth (Christ, the Word) in order to make our thoughts obey Him.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) 5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
This not only destroys the negative and sinful strongholds of the enemy, it simultaneously makes us more yielded vessels of the Holy Spirit, we establish new and positive strongholds for the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV) 4For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Weapons: Whatever enables us to yield to the power of the Holy Spirit is a spiritual weapon to oppose the enemy.
Strongholds: “Anything on which one relies” — any pattern of the mind in which the enemy has a reliable “strong hold.”
James 1:14-15 (ESV) 14But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Desires — Repeated Thoughts — Beliefs — Actions — Habits — Character
Stronghold of the Holy Spirit: “Anything on which one relies” — any pattern of the mind in which the Holy Spirit has a reliable “strong hold.”
Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
In order to take thoughts captive, be intimate with truth, keep in step with the Spirit, and transform desires, we must be trained.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV) Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Our discipleship to Jesus is equal to being trained as a soldier. We are waging war and must be trained in the necessary weapons that have divine power.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV) 3For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Spiritual Disciplines: “available, concrete activities designed to render bodily beings such as we ever more sensitive and receptive to the Kingdom of Heaven brought to us in Christ.”[1] ~ Dallas Willard
[1] Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines, pg. 252