Our spiritual weapons are outlined in Ephesians 6:10-18. Examples of how to apply them and testimonies of their application could be endless. The wise use of these weapons can be summed up in our ability to hear the voice of Jesus and our obedience to Him.
It is usually clear what Jesus would have us do. Often it is a battle to fully obey Him, and sometimes we can be deceived about what we should do to obey Him. That is why we should “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” Ephesians 6:10 by constantly “putting on” “the full armor of God”:
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13
It is easy to be deceived by Satan, our real enemy:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
To protect ourselves and others we can know, speak and live the “truth” in all situations, live out the “righteousness” of Jesus, and always be ready to practice the love and peace of Jesus in word and deed—“readiness that comes from the gospel of peace”. It could also be a readiness to share our faith:
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Philemon 1:6
We must apply the “shield of faith” because:
“…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
By applying the “helmet of salvation” we can ask Jesus for wisdom and guard our minds:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23
We can use the powerful “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”:
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
We should “pray continually” 1 Thessalonians 5:17:
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18
Putting on or covering our spirit, soul and body with the weapons of our warfare is letting Jesus live through us.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 also tells about our spiritual warfare:
“…For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. “2 Corinthians 10:3-6
In applying spiritual weapons we have much more effective results than using the weapons of the world. By applying God’s weapons we “demolish strongholds”. Verse 5 gives us a summary of how to win our warfare:
“…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
Once we are perfectly obedient, “every act of disobedience” will be punished.
The chapter 2 Corinthians 10 gives examples of Paul applying these weapons. Below is 2 Corinthians 10:
“By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” 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.
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man’s territory. But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” 2 Corinthians 10
Paul appeals to them “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ”. Speaking with kindness is God’s way. Usually we can win arguments or make points more effectively with kind and calm words. If we have our emotions and our voice under control, it gains respect. Sometimes people listen to a harsh rebuke, but often there is intimidation and fear involved. A calm, reasonable approach is more apt to change minds.
Paul is also “bold” when it is necessary. He knows the authority Jesus has given him:
“For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.” 2 Corinthians 10:8
Even then he explains that he is not “trying to frighten” them with his letters:
“I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” 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.” 2 Corinthians 10:9-11
Paul repeats this important point later in his letter:
“This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.” 2 Corinthians 13:10
Paul explains to them why he has this authority:
“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you.” 2 Corinthians 10:12-13
His boldness and authority is given him by the grace of God:
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3
Paul gives them dignity by stating they have the ability and expecting them to also be led by the Lord:
“But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 10:17
Paul closes this chapter by repeating both points—that God has given him the authority to discipline them, and that they can also receive commendation and authority from the Lord:
“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” 2 Corinthians 10:18
Paul has told the Corinthians to apply spiritual weapons and gives an example of their application in his behaviour and actions. He has spoken the “truth in love” Ephesians 4:15. He has spoken as Jesus would, with His righteousness. He advises Christians to act in faith with much prayer:
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” Jude 1:20
Paul speaks with wisdom and his writings have become “the word of God.” Obviously the way Paul has acted has God’s full approval. Studying Paul’s life, which includes 2 Corinthians 10, teaches us how to “put on” spiritual weapons.