The Battle Begins in the Mind!

10 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 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.

Paul moves away from the topic of generosity to addressing some of the rumors that were circulating against in the Corinthian church.  Some in the church were saying that though Paul spoke boldly in his letters, he was timid in person.  They were accusing him of using worldly methods to manipulate their behavior.  Paul basically responds, "I am not going to play that game. I am not going to get into an argument to defend myself."  

Instead of reacting according to the flesh, Paul points to the spiritual weapons at his disposal.  These weapons are aimed at the spiritual battle going on beneath the scene.  Though it would seem like some playful bickering between Paul and the Corinthians, Paul knows that this kind of behavior could create division and lead to them doubting his apostolic authority.  As Paul lives by the Spirit, his argument will demolish the demonic strongholds threatening the church.  Notice the devil works in the realm of bad thoughts and ideas that attempt to divide the body of Christ.  Instead Paul says that a believer can take every thought and make it captive to Christ.

For instance, if someone says something bad about you instead of thinking how you can get back to them, you should think about how Jesus would respond.  In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, "Bless those who persecute you."  Instead going "tit for tat", how can you bless the person who is trying to smear your name?  It seems very counter intuitive but it is actually quite effective.  Why? Instead of getting into a fight, this response will deescalate the situation.  The person will not know how to respond.  Secondly, you will be in control.  Your blood pressure won't go up.  This is one most practical ways we follow Christ when we are attacked unfairly. This why we need to think like Christ and make our thoughts obedient to him.  Essentially Paul says this Romans 12:2 when he writes,

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  The spiritual battle starts in our mind and in our thinking.  This is why it is good you are in the Word, as the God's word transforms our thoughts, words and deeds. And no one can argue with this.