Concealed Weapons

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Soldiers go into battle depending on strength, training, and wisdom to carry out a battle plan. The apostle Paul declares that believers face warfare not against flesh and blood but evil spiritual forces. For that reason, we need a different battle strategy—God’s weapons, power, and wisdom.

Paul doesn’t mention here what weapons he is referring to, but elsewhere in Scripture, he says to equip ourselves with the whole armor of God and prayer (Ephesians 6:13–18). Remember, Paul is writing to believers in Corinth, a church that had earlier been established and stood firm. But over time, unresolved sin issues and false teachers’ doctrines riddled the church, causing strongholds that needed pulling down, strongholds that required the use of spiritual weapons.

Satan’s goal is to keep people from faith in Christ and obedience to God’s Word. As believers yield to his cunning temptations and allow sin to remain, strongholds form. Only God’s power can loosen sin’s grip. But if the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God and can pull down strongholds in our lives, why are they so often hidden away? Why are they not used? Is it the embarrassment of being known as a Christian? Is clinging to life’s pleasurable sins more important than having them torn down? Is it because of the unfamiliarity of the weapons available through Christ? Or is it how to effectively use them?

 Are you a carrier of concealed weapons—God’s armor? We live in a chaos-filled world; spiritual weapons are necessary to combat the raging forces of wickedness. So, take up the armor of God and wear each piece with confidence: Believe God when you pray. Read and claim God’s Word, living in the assurance of and proclaiming your salvation. Stand boldly in faith, carrying the Gospel message. Speak God’s truth; know it, believe it, wrap yourself in it, and walk righteously. When you put on and stand in this full armor of God, trust His weaponry. Only then can you break life’s strongholds by His grace and power as He changes lives and defeats the enemy. God is honored by your faithfulness.