Transformation (IV)

As we round up the series, we start by looking at what the apostle Paul said to the church in Corinth, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). The Scripture emphasizes the importance of not being carnal in warfare, as this will hinder one’s ability to enforce the victory we have in Christ. Yes, believers can be carnal, because while all sin is carnality, not all carnality is necessarily sin. Carnal individuals are governed by their senses, emotions, and thoughts – and not by the word of God. The apostle made it clear – “… for those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). Living by the flesh refers to a lifestyle of carnality, which is influenced by tangible things, while living by the spirit refers to a targeted focus on the word of God and the realities of the Spirit. Such carnal mindedness is death, and a life lived in the Spirit is both life and peace (Romans 8:6). Carnally minded individuals are governed by their physical perceptions, refusing to allow the word of God to change them. The likes of fear, worry, and anxiety all stem from a carnal mind, and the failure to bring these under the governance of our Spirit will lead the Christian into living a defeated life, because the contents of our thoughts dictate the kind of life we will experience.  

The apostle continued, “because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” (Romans 8:7). From this it becomes clear that while one may be born again, maintaining an unrenewed mind will keep us in enmity with God. This is a mind that resists the word of God and continues to place experiences, feelings and sensual signals above the Scriptures. Believers in Christ Jesus, while by position are in the Spirit, have the ability to live after the flesh, while those who do not know the Lord are by position in the flesh – “so then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8) – this is important to note because any good words done outside of a relationship with Jesus and for the sake of His glory will not benefit one’s standing with the Father. It is the revelation of God’s word imprinted in our spirit that causes us to do according to His pleasure, it is not our own wisdom. It is added, “… But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.  And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8: 9-11).

Going back to the subject of warfare, 2 Corinthians 10:4 emphasises the importance of using weapons of warfare to pull down any lodging strongholds that could have developed over time. Strongholds are belief systems that are contrary to the word of God that have found deep enough roots to influence our behaviours, attitudes, and responses to the occurrences of everyday life. Some of these may be so old that we have even come to accept them as part of our character, convincing ourselves that “that is just the way I am” – no! If it stands against the word of God, it is not who you are! Apostle Paul iterated “… casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This is the process and journey of transformation. There is no one with the privilege of being absolved from this process, even Jesus Himself was subjected to learning and mind renewal, He had to build His mind to the reality of who was in God before He assumed office to fulfil the call of God over His life. It is therefore important that we confront any standing mental fortresses, because these in turn influence our actions and shape our reality. Thoughts and imaginations are very important in the conception of worlds and realities, because they are worlds on their own, ready to be downloaded into this physical realm where they can be experienced by all. Negative thoughts and imaginations are breeding ground for doubt and unbelief, while positive imaginations give birth to hope. 

The cause and effect resulting from a man’s thought-life is why the Scriptures have emphasized meditation as a practice necessary for the success of men. Moses, mighty of God, told Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8); and again, apostle Paul told his son Timothy, “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” – both men were guiding those coming after them. There is no victory outside the word, there is no success without the word, and there are no exploits without the word; so meditating on the word of God will change our life for the better! We will come to a place where we do not speak our feelings, the things we see, the things we know – we will only speak, and do, the word of God! Church, we do not meditate just to be puffed up with fruitless knowledge, we meditate to do; because it will be the doing that reveals and validates our understanding! The blessing is found in action. 

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your word, that builds us up and gives us an inheritance amongst them who are sanctified. Your word has revealed to us all the spiritual ammunition we have in Christ, showing us how to live victorious lives. We continue to pray for strength in our inner man, and for the eyes of our heart to be continually enlightened to the truth of who we are in Christ. In the name of Jesus. Amen.