“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
II Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV
Whether or not we believe it, we’re involved in spiritual warfare, and spiritual warfare requires spiritual weapons.
II Corinthians 10:4 says, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
Carnal means physical in nature. Our weapons are not carnal. Instead, they’re mighty through God and able to pull down any strong holds that would keep us from victory. When you fight a war where you can’t see the enemy, you need weapons that the enemy can’t defend themselves against, and only God can provide such weapons. That’s why our weapons are mighty through God. And there’s no one that’s more powerful than God. It’s wise to be on God’s side.
The Bible is clear that we, as believers, are involved in a war – a war against sin, a war against the flesh (our lustful desires), a war against the world (which represents everything opposed to God), and finally, a war against the devil and his demons. We are not able to come up against any of these in our own strength and power.
That is why “(…the weapons of our warfare are…mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” What strong holds? Verse 5 says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
We’re to cast down everything that we’re at war against spiritually – the flesh, the world, and the devil.- because they all exalt themselves against the knowledge of God And sinful thoughts elevate ungodly imaginings; that’s why we’re told to cast down imaginations and bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
Sinful thoughts fortify the strong holds that the devil has on our lives through our own sinful flesh and the world. Therefore, it’s crucial to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. That’s how we’re able to wield the mighty weapons of God in order to pull down those strong holds. That’s how we gain victory!