The frank and honest truth is that very few of us like to be corrected or disciplined. While we try to keep a positive attitude, we get hurt and angry inside and that can cause us to become defensive. When defensive, we pretty much surrender to the attacks the enemy and the world unleash upon us. What follows is usually a nullification of the spirit’s ability to use us or to work through us.
Paul is clarifying to the Corinthians that there is a better strategy for facing worldly onslaught. First, Paul reminds this community of believers that they simply do not have to fight like the world fights. The very Spirit sent by Christ after His ascension, not only guides and comforts us, but also equips us to face the battle. They are not typical wimpy wooden spiritual swords and shields! Instead, they are mighty and devastating battering-rams of faith! They do not bruise false arguments or doctrine; they destroy them like an atom bomb!
Paul uses these very weapons when He says in effect, “You guys need to quit worrying about my letters being an excuse not to face the truth!” He tells them that the truth of the message of holiness and giving is for their benefit. Paul wants this people to do the right things with confidence that God’s spirit will act as their armor, their weapons, and their megaphone for spreading the truth.
That same spirit also acts as our armor, weapons, and truth. This word of God is as relevant today as it was in the letter form 2000 years ago. We must not be rendered nullified simply because we do not like the message. Instead, we need to use the training as motivation to be spurred on toward love and good deeds.
We are equipped with the good stuff! We can walk confidently, knowing that we will have what we need, and we can do what is expected to walk humbly in his path becoming more like our Lord each day!
God Bless You
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
7 You are judging by appearances.[a] If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” 11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present…16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[b] 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends
Walking With God 