Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Paul – II Corinthians
An Intimate Review
Pt 6
By Lawrence DeMetrius

WEAPONS of SPIRITUAL WARFARE

In [II Cor 10:1-5] Apostle Paul reflects on the real, natural and mortal inclination to react toward people who mean to inflict one with hurt. Yahweh expects HIS Elect to react in a manner that pleases HIM, which is with love, forgiveness, dignity and wisdom. [II Cor 10:1, 2; Mt 5:44-48; Rm 12:17-21; II Tim 2:14-26; Jam 1:2-4] Jesus Christ did advise His brethren beforehand that persecution would come. [Mt 5:11, 12; Jn 16:33] This was especially so for First Century Rome Christians. [See Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History] The Elect of GOD must remember that they are in a spiritual warfare. As such they are expected to WAR only against their true enemies which are unseen forces. [II Cor 10:3; Eph 6:10-12] Apostle Paul writes,

For though we WALK in the FLESH, we do not WAR after the FLESH: …
[II Cor 10:3]

*walk Gk #4043 peripateo (per-ee-pat-eh-o) it means to…
• tread all around and walk at large, especially as proof of ability
• live, deport oneself and follow as a companion or devotee

*flesh Gk #4561 sarx (sarx) per this scripture it refers to mortals in their physical and moral frailties and passions [Rm 3:23]

*war Gk # 4754 strateuomai (strat-yoo-om-ahee) it means to…
• serve in a military campaign
• execute the dignity and office of an apostle, with its arduous duties and functions

Apostle Paul continues writing,

For the WEAPONS of OUR WARFARE are not CARNAL…
[II Cor 10:4a]
*weapons Gk #3696 hoplon (hop-lon) it is an implement, utensil and tool that is especially used for the OFFENSIVE side in warfare

• offense (adj)
o pertaining to offense and attack
o characterized by attack and aggressiveness

• offense (noun) is the act of attacking and assault

*warfare Gk #4752 strateia (strat-i-ah) it is military service and the apostolic career, as one of hardship and danger

*carnal Gk #4559 sarkikos (sar-kee-kos) it pertains to the flesh and that which is bodily, temporal, animalistic and unregenerate

In [II Cor 10:4b] Apostle Paul writes,

…but MIGHTY THROUGH GOD to the PULLING DOWN of STRONG HOLDS;
[II Cor 10:4b]

*mighty Gk #1415 dunatos (doo-na-tos) it means powerful, capable and possible

*pulling down Gk #2506 katharaires (kath-ah-ee-res-is) it means demolition, extinction and destruction

*strong holds Gk #3794 ochuroma (okh-noo-ro-mah) it is… [Mt 11:12; Lk 11:22]
• a castle or a place where one believes their treasured possessions are kept safe and secure
• figurative of an argument i.e., a belief system, doctrine or philosophy

There are many GOSPELS being proclaimed in the world. Some are GOOD in nature and others are EVIL. The Elect are admonished to recognize which are of THE LORD and which are not. Christ forewarned that the most subtle of anti-Christ GOSPELS are so convincing that they would fool the very Elect of GOD. [Mt 24:24; II Jn vs 7-11] In [II Cor 10:5a] Apostle Paul notes that divine and spiritual WEAPONRY is POWERFUL through Yahweh to the CASTING DOWN of IMAGINATIONS.
*casting down Gk #2507 kathairo (kath-ahee-reh-o) it means to lower and demolish with violence

*imaginations Gk #3053 logismos (log-is-mos) it is mental computation, reasoning, conscience and conceit [Pro 3:7]

IMAGINATIONS are ideas, intellectual computations and conclusions that are contrary to divine principles and common sense. Such concepts are lies devised to be forged in the mortal mind by wicked forces. However, they are effectively CAST DOWN with divine words. In [II Cor 10:5b] Apostle Paul notes that it is by the Word of THE LORD that one is able to CAST DOWN every HIGH THING that EXALTEH itself against the KNOWLEDGE imparted by Yahweh. [Mt 11:28-30; St Jn 1:1-5, 9-14; I Jn 5:20]

*high thing Gk #5313 hupsoma (hoop-so-mah) it is an…
• elevated place or thing
o elevate is to…
• move or raise to a higher place or position
• lift up to a higher state, rank or office
• exalt and promote to a higher intellectual or spiritual level
• raise the voice in pitch and volume
• altitude and a barrier, which is…
o anything built or serving to bar passage
o any natural bar or obstacle
o anything that restrains or obstructs progress or access
o a limit or boundary of any kind

*exalteth Gk #1869 epairo (ep-ahee-ro) it means to raise up

*against Gk #2596 kata (ka-tah) it means down in place or time

*knowledge Gk #1108 gnosis (gno-sis) it is knowledge, knowing and science

Per this discussion, Apostle Paul is expressing the idea of satanic influences promoting GOSPELS, principles and precepts that seem right but are not. [Pro 14:6; Mt 7:13] The Elect of GOD are to mark and shun these delusions lest they fall prey to their fate. [II Jn vs 7-11]
In [II Cor 10:5c] Apostle Paul notes that divine WEAPONRY has POWER to bring into captivity every THOUGHT to the OBEDIENCE of Christ the Word. This is why the divine Gospel must be proclaimed in divine love, accuracy and simplicity. Holistic liberation from satanic influence is only possible when the true meaning of divine words is acknowledged, understood, believed and obeyed. [Jn 8:31, 32, 36]

*thought Gk #3540 noema (no-ay-mah) it is…
• idea, notion and perception
• purpose, intellect and mental disposition
• mental activity and whatever one thinks
• the single act, product and process of thinking
• the capacity of thinking, reasoning and imagining
• anticipation, expectation and consideration
• reflection, recollection and intention
• meditation, contemplation, attention, care and regard
• judgment, opinion and belief

THOUGHT is heavy in meaning. Yahweh desires mortals to experience and practice in all areas of their lives. The mode of THOUGHT with which HE created mortals was infected with forbidden knowledge. [Gen 2:9, 17; 3:1-6] Blessedly, Yahweh sent Christ the Word as a Remedy for this affliction. [Mt 11:27-30; St Jn 3:16, 17; 8:12, 31, 32, 36; 14:6; Heb 7:25; I Jn 1:8-10; 2:1-3] The Lord Jesus said,

And from the days of JOHN THE BAPTIST until NOW THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN SUFFERETH VIOLENCE, and THE VIOLENT TAKE IT by FORCE.
[Mt 11:12]

*kingdom Gk #932 basileia (bas-il-i-ah) it is royalty, rule and realm

The Church of Jesus Christ represents Yahweh’s KINGDOM of earth. This is one reason why it is imperative for born-again believers to corporately ASSEMBLE for prayer, praise and edification. [Heb 10:27; Mt 18:18-20] There is divine rejuvenation one will only experience during corporate ASSEMBLY. Furthermore, it is a requirement for true believers to ASSEMBLE in the Name of Jesus Christ, even if it be but two or three. The idea that one need not ASSEMBLE at all is demonically influenced.

*heaven Gk #3772 ouranos (oo-ran-os) it is…
• the sky and heaven as Yahweh’s abode
• happiness, power and eternity
• the Gospel of Jesus Christ

*suffereth violence Gk #971 biazo (bee-ad-zo) it means to force, crowd oneself into and be seized

*violent Gk #973 biastes (bee-as-tace) it is being energetic and a person or thing that forces

*take it by force Gk #726 harpazo (har-pad-zo) it means to seize, which is to…
• take hold of suddenly and forcibly
• confiscate, capture and take into custody
• suddenly take possession of by force, at will, control and by legal authority
• grasp mentally, understand clearly and completely

Through the Ministry of Divine Iconoclasm, Christ continues His work of TAKING SIEGE on satanic powers who hold captive those who are given to Him by Yahweh. [Jn 6:37-40; 17:] In His Name, His brethren are VIOLENT aggressors who by His power, seize fortresses of darkness and FORCIBLY TAKE souls who belong to the Kingdom of Light.

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