Motivation for Spiritual Warfare

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On This Episode -

Motivation for Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual Warfare – Putting On The Armor Of God Part 3
Paul's confronting of sin in Corinthian believers provides a model on how to address sin issues in other people's lives. Paul effectively balanced a warlike posture with Christlike humility, and his godly concern for carnal believers required that he "speak the truth in love." (Eph. 4:15) What unfolds in 2 Cor. 10 is the predictable deflections of carnal Corinthians who wanted to ignore Paul's rebuke. Carnal believers insisted that Paul was carnal himself, that he "walk according to the flesh." (v. 2) They used ad hominem arguments, noting his lack of charisma. (v. 10) And lastly some Corinthians rejected his rebuke by comparing themselves with other carnal believers. (v. 12) Paul doesn't take the bait and sidesteps the foolish deflections of carnal believers. The episode challenges all believers to anticipate resistance when confronting carnality and not chase after deflections that are skillful attempts to protect sin. Instead we're called to militantly conduct spiritual warfare, taking our own thoughts captive first, and then, in full humble submission to God, lovingly confront unrepentant sin in others, ignoring their predictable deflections.

Today's Topics -

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Podcast (inhisimage): Play in new window | Download | Embed

  • 00:00:27 – Introduction and Question on Humility and Warfare
  • 00:02:59 – Paul’s Example of Meekness and Boldness
  • 00:06:28 – Balancing Spiritual Warfare and Humility
  • 00:09:58 – Paul’s Protective Parental Attitude
  • 00:14:59 – Understanding the Reactions of Carnal Believers
  • 00:20:13 – Misinterpretation of Humility and Confrontation
  • 00:25:01 – The Challenge of Addressing Sin
  • 00:31:12 – Deflecting from Paul’s Authority
  • 00:40:31 – The Importance of Consistency in Character
  • 00:56:52 – Closing Prayer and Summary of Key Points

On This Episode -

Motivation for Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual Warfare – Putting On The Armor Of God Part 3

Podcast (inhisimage): Play in new window | Download | Embed

  • 00:00:27 – Introduction and Question on Humility and Warfare
  • 00:02:59 – Paul’s Example of Meekness and Boldness
  • 00:06:28 – Balancing Spiritual Warfare and Humility
  • 00:09:58 – Paul’s Protective Parental Attitude
  • 00:14:59 – Understanding the Reactions of Carnal Believers
  • 00:20:13 – Misinterpretation of Humility and Confrontation
  • 00:25:01 – The Challenge of Addressing Sin
  • 00:31:12 – Deflecting from Paul’s Authority
  • 00:40:31 – The Importance of Consistency in Character
  • 00:56:52 – Closing Prayer and Summary of Key Points

Today's Topics -

, , , , , , , ,
Paul's confronting of sin in Corinthian believers provides a model on how to address sin issues in other people's lives. Paul effectively balanced a warlike posture with Christlike humility, and his godly concern for carnal believers required that he "speak the truth in love." (Eph. 4:15) What unfolds in 2 Cor. 10 is the predictable deflections of carnal Corinthians who wanted to ignore Paul's rebuke. Carnal believers insisted that Paul was carnal himself, that he "walk according to the flesh." (v. 2) They used ad hominem arguments, noting his lack of charisma. (v. 10) And lastly some Corinthians rejected his rebuke by comparing themselves with other carnal believers. (v. 12) Paul doesn't take the bait and sidesteps the foolish deflections of carnal believers. The episode challenges all believers to anticipate resistance when confronting carnality and not chase after deflections that are skillful attempts to protect sin. Instead we're called to militantly conduct spiritual warfare, taking our own thoughts captive first, and then, in full humble submission to God, lovingly confront unrepentant sin in others, ignoring their predictable deflections.

Today's Scriptures-

2 Corinthians 10:1-6, 2 Corinthians 11:1-3, 1 Corinthians 3:11-12, Ephesians 4:15, Matthew 11:29, Matthew 21:12-13, 1 Corinthians 3:3, Galatians 6:1, 2 Corinthians 2:10-12, 2 Corinthians 10:18, Matthew 7:3-5

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