Today’s passage says this: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.”
My brother, my sister, we are merely weak humans living in a world were lots of spiritual activities (good and evil) are taking place. Only when the Kingdom of God returns on earth will this stop. So, in the meantime, to win our battles, we have to learn to use God’s mighty weapons instead of human plans and methods. There is no other way. You see, some people have abandonned the plans of methods of God and embraced evil to win their own battles. When we look at them, they may seem to prosper where we are still struggling. My friend, it is not because the grass seems very green in someone’s garden that it means that person is doing well or that God approves it: you don’t know the amount of their water bill, you don’t know how endebted they may be because of this green grass; you don’t know how many sleepless nights and headaches they may have just to keep the grass green… The fact is that until you know anything about the green grass, do not assume anything. God is a just God (Psalm 25:8).
Now, the Bible teaches us, Christians, to choose God’s methods to fight against the devils ‘strongholds’. These methods are simple, yet very difficult for many to use: prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:13-18). Yes, you will never find any powerful or effective weapon that is comparable to this combination. That’s what the little David used against the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17)… and it worked! My friend, God has not changed His methods. However, today, because we tend to neglect one or more of His mighty weapons we also delay His actions, thus have the feeling that it is hard to be a Christian. Today, bear in mind that a Christian IS a disciple, not a simple church attendant, a simple follower or a simple believer in Christ. Therefore, no matter what you want to see transformed in your life starts by you becoming a Christian. Being a Christian is not a label: it is a status that empowers you to do even greater things than what Jesus did (John 14:12).
Yes, the weapons God has placed within our reach can curses and the walls that Satan has built to keep people from finding God and prevent us from living a life of abundance on earth. My friend, when fighting against unwanted situations in your life, use God’s weapons; when trying to demolish Satan’s strongholds, use God’s weapons… but ensure your status enables you to do so. Who are you in Christ? A simple believer or a disciple? Some people are still wandering in the devil’s playground, keeping one foot in the world one foot in the Word, but they want to get up to use God’s weapons to see changes in their lives and circomstances. No… it won’t work. On the contrary, it may even lead to self-destruction that can come through frustration, despair or abandoning faith: “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand” (Matthew 12:25). My friend, make the decision to be rooted in the Lord, for He says: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). Maybe your unanswered prayers are just a way He is trying to tell you: ‘it’s good you have already taken the first step by accepting my love, now abide in me with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul so that I can answer your prayers and lead you where God wants you to be’. May those who have ears hear. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.