“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV
Reflection: how can you know whether the enemy has built a stronghold, a fortress within your thoughts?
I heard a story the other day about a married man who had a gambling problem. He was taking money from his paycheck every month, without his wife knowing anything about it. And instead of paying bills, he used it for gambling. Of course, at some point, she found out, causing a crisis in their marriage. Now, from an outsider’s perspective, and without a “gambling problem”, we can see the problem. We would have warned and advised this man to take a different path in life. To get some help. But the question is, why could he not see this problem himself? What led him to continue to think this was OK and not deal with it?
Most would diagnose this issue as a gambling “addiction”. But it still causes us to ponder why. Gambling is an old problem, as is many other addictions like alcoholism, smoking, drugs, and pornography to mention some. And with the addition of technology, new addictions have popped up, such as “doomscrolling” on social media, video games, online shopping, and many others. And a common theme among all addictions is the “imprisonment” they all create. The victims seem to be unable to break free by themselves, perhaps even to admit they have an issue. But I think we can agree that they are clearly evil, as they
steal time, resources and even ruin relationships.
In today’s focus verse, Paul is introducing us to an idea of “strongholds”. It is a very interesting word, only used once in the Bible, and in relation to spiritual warfare. Let’s read to get context. “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV. Now, he is talking about “thoughts”, or “thought life”, taking thoughts captive to make them obedient to Christ.
He is basically saying that the battlefield with the enemy is within our thoughts. And the enemy’s “strongholds” must be destroyed. The word “stronghold” has two meanings in the biblical context, 1) a castle, stronghold, fortress, fastness, and 2) anything on which one relies, such as the arguments and reasonings by which a disputant endeavours to fortify his opinion and defend it against his opponent. We can therefore think of a stronghold as a building, structure of thoughts, built by the enemy. And a stronghold is therefore not limited to an addiction as we looked at above. A “thought fortress” by the enemy is anything that we hold onto, that is going against the purpose and will of God for us, which Paul summarizes as
“every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God”.
In addition to those thoughts making an excuse for an addiction, can you think of other examples of fortresses we can see in others, built by the enemy in their thoughts? How about the secular, moral values that are running rampant in many churches, being excused as “tolerant”? How about the pursuit of wealth and money? The battle plan and weapons by the enemy are not new, as we remember what Paul had to address within the church in Corinth.
Has the enemy built a “thought fortress” in your mind?
Is there some action you find yourself defending, that is stealing your time, resources or ruining your relationships? Taking you away from God? You must realize you are in a spiritual war, not fought by flesh and blood. So let’s recognize what is really going on, call it out, and fight with the divine power we have been given, both in armor and weapons. Paul writes to the Ephesians, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV