ADVANCE: Essential factors for advancing

Essential factors for advancing

Spiritual Warfare – 2

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

03:16:00

NOTE:

Spiritual warfare is fought and won by bringing YOUR MIND to the obedience of Christ through discernment and discipline

I. SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS FOUGHT AND WON BY BRINGING YOUR MIND TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST THROUGH DISCERNMENT (VV.3-4)

Paul discerned that . . .

• The enemy was operating through the mind of the people
• He must be different in his approach from that of the devil and his accusers

A stronghold is . . .

• A defensive structure that is inaccessible by the enemy – 1 Sam. 23:14, 19 – on David’s stronghold; 2 Sam. 22:1-2; Ps. 9:9; 18:2 – on God as stronghold 

A stronghold is . . .

• An incorrect way of thinking that has become a part of a person’s reasoning 

A stronghold is . . .

• Patterns in the mind that are programmed to think contrary to the truth 

How is a stronghold formed?

• Stronghold is built upon deception and error from many sources that you open your mind to. These may include – 

• Environment
• People
• Demonic influence
• Religious inclinations
• Christian denominations
• Constant reminders of past sins and failures that leave behind a picture of helplessness and hopelessness, etc. 
• Constant reminders of past sins and failures that leave behind a picture of helplessness and hopelessness, etc. 

II. SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS FOUGHT AND WON BY BRINGING YOUR MIND TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST THROUGH DISCIPLINE (VV.4-6)

• Paul’s response to the spiritual warfare in Corinth is unlike the one in Ephesus
• The spiritual battle in Corinth is a mind game

3 dimensions of the devil’s operation in the stronghold of the mind . . .

Arguments/ imagination
Pretentious high knowledge against the knowledge of God
Thoughts

The battle of the mind is won through disciplined approach to keep YOUR mind under the obedience of Christ in the following biblically demonstrated ways . . .

• Renewing your mind 
• Preaching/ teaching sound doctrines
• Submitting to God
• Resisting the devil
• Reckoning of yourself
• As part of discipline, live with the readiness to punish all disobedience because your obedience to Christ is complete/ full
• You can have this discernment and discipline ONLY in Christ Jesus as your Savior and Lord. It is only in him and through him that you can win all your battles in the spiritual warfare and ADVANCE!