The weapons of our warfare are not carnal

By Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson

10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong

10:5 Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of God.

Some people think Christians are superstitious because they are always binding the devil, casting out demons and claiming victory in spiritual battles. Are Christians really superstitious?

Do not think so. The bible talks about spiritual warfare several times. There is the famous!

Ephesians 6:10-18 which talks about putting on the armor of God to be able to stand against the devil’s tricks.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 which says the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.
Romans 8:37 which says we are more than conquerors, implying that there is some kind of warfare etc.

All these verses indicate implicitly or explicitly that Christians are constantly in some kind of warfare. It is therefore important to follow instructions in the bible on how to fight these battles. I will concentrate on the passage quoted at the beginning. the explanation will be given verse by verse.

2 Corinthians 10:4

The two most important words in this verse are:

“Carnal” describing our spiritual weapons
“mighty” describing the source of our spiritual weapons and what it can do.

The google dictionary defines “carnal” as things relating to physical needs and activities like sexual desire, hunger, thirsty etc.

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal’ in my opinion means what we need in spiritual warfare are not the guns and bombs we use in physical warfare but the spiritual weapons listed in Ephesians 6:10-18

These spiritual weapons include:

Salvation
Truth faith the gospel or word of God
Prayer

We need these spiritual weapons because we are dealing with a spiritual enemy we cannot see with our eyes. Therefore, we need spiritual weapons and not carnal weapons like gun, shields, bullets-proof jackets etc.

If we use these carnal weapons we will be completely destroyed and be a target of ridicule because no one including our own selves cannot see the enemy, we are fighting.

These spiritual weapons are “mighty” because they come from God and can pull down or destroy any spiritual enemy you can think of.

John 4:24 says God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.

God is a spirit and he can see all the spiritual enemies, He also knows their weakness and what should be used to destroy them. Trusting in God for direction and strength is the only way we can win spiritual warfare.

2 Corinthians 10:5

In this verse, the two most important phrases to me are:

“casting down imaginations”
“bringing into captivity every though”

The human brain is very active; it is sometimes active even when we are asleep. Several thoughts run through our minds the whole day and the brain also picks up many things or issues. These thought and issues could be referred to as imaginations. They normally come as a result of what we see, hear or feel. What we do with these imaginations would determine our success or failure. Do not entertain negative thoughts or evil thoughts they can lead you sin. The bible says out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

What your mind dwells on frequently will direct what you do.

As you check negative thoughts you highlight on positive and laudable thoughts that will glorify god.

This brings us to the next phrase “bringing unto captivity every thought”

you can check negative thoughts by bringing them into captivity or rejecting such thoughts and rather dwelling on obeying God in those areas where you have negative or evil thoughts.

You can do this by meditating on the word day and night and doing what it says or applying it to every area of your life. Like Joshua 1:8 says then you will become prosperous and have good success.

Apply your weapons of faith and prayer that will help you pull down negative imaginations and help you obey the commands of the Lord.

Meditate on the words of this song:

I am not moved by what I see

Hallelujah

I am not moved by what I feel

Hallelujah

I am only moved by the word of God

Hallelujah

I am not moved by what I hear

Hallelujah

I am only moved by the word of God

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