2 Corinthians 10:1-5 (NLT)
Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives. We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
Explanation:
Paul is talking to the church in Corinth. He is telling them that their arguments and quarrels between one another are actually things going on in the spiritual world. The enemy will try to do anything to divide God’s people. Paul’s fights are not physical battles but spiritual ones. He fights these battles with God’s help by praying, spending time with God, and trusting in God’s wisdom. When Paul does these things, he sees the situation through God’s eyes.
When we ask God for wisdom in our situations, He supernaturally shows us what we need to know. Last year my son was having a rough end to the year at school. When his teacher talked to me, I just started getting flooded with advice from people telling me what I should do for him. It was so overwhelming, and I just wanted to do the right thing. The next morning, I prayed as I was listening to the song called “Wait on You” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City.
When I heard these lyrics I felt like God was sitting in front of me, telling me to wait on Him. “Stop trying to fix it with the world or on your own… just wait on Me.”
“You should just wait (You should just wait) Instead of trying in your own strength You should just wait Instead of calculating what would happen if you go wrong You should just wait My steps are ordered by the Lord, yeah I should just wait…”
The next week God showed me how I could help my son. Things didn’t get easier, they got harder, but I had a supernatural peace that God was going to take care of everything. It’s hard not to listen to people who love you, but just like Paul, for the battle I was facing, ONLY God could help me through it. What battles are you facing? Have you added God into them, or are you trying to do it on your own? Trust Him to help you through them.
Application:
What battles are you trying to do on your own? Parenting, marriage, friendship, work, gossip, fear, anxiety? Whatever it is, take some to give God all your worries.
Who are you trying to please in your life over God? Take some time with God and ask Him to show you what He has for you in that situation.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I need YOU to help fight my battles. When things feel out of control, help me to stop and come to you. When my anger/frustration arises throughout my day towards situations and people, give me clarity and wisdom. Love You Father. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
For Further Study: Take some time today to listen to “Wait on you” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City.