From Realization to Resolution

Last week we began the topic of spiritual warfare. We took a look at it and started to realize that it is indeed a true part of the believer's life. But is it enough just to realize it? I think not! I don't want to just see the battle, but move through it to a time of peace. So this week I want to focus on how to engage the battle and move to a resolution of it in our lives. To keep us focused on the topic will will be in 2 Corinthians 2:1 -6.

Corinth was truly a place of spiritual warfare. Corinth was known throughout the land as a place of wickedness. It was a sea port which brought sailors in from all over the world. Along with this came open drunkenness and prostitution. In fact thousands of temple prostitutes would descend on the city every night... I don't want to go into more detail, but Google Corinth and see what kind of place it was.

So this is where Paul has brought the gospel and is addressing a church in 2 Corinthians 10. There were some in the church that would constantly accuse Paul of not being true to God. These people would especially show up and challenge him after he had left the city. This is what Paul is addressing in verses 1-2.

In verse 3 Paul tells us that even though we walk (or live) in the flesh, we do not war in it. I know we all realize this, but realizing a battle is not enough - we must see what the battle truly is! If our battle is not in the flesh then do you spend time praying for God to show you the real battle? Your enemy is not another person, a place, or even a thing - it is not what you can see, feel, or touch. It is so much more.

Today, begin praying for God to give you spiritual eyes. Spend time identifying what the battle is really about. We act out in the flesh the battle that is raging in our spirit. Is the battle fear, loneliness, feeling of uselessness? To get to the resolution, you must see the battle. You will never identify the battle apart from God!

Tomorrow we will continue with this idea of identifying the battle.