BELIEVERS ARE AT WAR WITH THE WORLD

PROCLAMATION

“For thought 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 …”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In this chapter, Paul offers a defense of his ministry and his attack on the false teachers who oppose the gospel of Christ.  Though physically weak in statue, Paul spoke boldly against them through the power of God. (2 Corinthians 10:10)  Here he tells them that although they live in the world, they do not fight their battles like the world does. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)  He admits to them that his letters are bolder than he is in person. (2 Corinthians 10:9-11)  He ends by boasting, within limits, on his work and the works of others spreading the gospel. (2 Corinthians 10:13-16)

 

APPLICATION

Because we are in Christ and He is within us, we are physically in this world but not of this world. (John 8:23)  Because we are not of this world, we do not fight our battles like the world fights. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)  The life of every believer is battle against Satan, and his principalities and powers, and the men of the world which he uses to corrupt the hearts of believers. (Ephesians 6:12)  The more useful we are to the purpose of God and His kingdom, the more we are attacked.  That is why we need to put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand strong against the devil. (Ephesians 6:11-18)  We must be on guard because the battle is not physical but psychological and spiritual.  The devil is after our minds and our hearts, and if he can’t get them, he will attempt to destroy our credibility, influence, and effectiveness.  In truth, the battle against Satan is not ours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15)  We are just pawns in this war and in this game of life, used for His purpose.  We need to make sure that we are ready for service in His army.  However, in this war we will be victorious. (1 Corinthians 15:57)  To God be the glory!

 

BELIEVERS ARE AT WAR WITH THE WORLD

Proclamation:

“For thought 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 …”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In this chapter, Paul offers a defense of his ministry and his attack on the false teachers who oppose the gospel of Christ.  Though physically weak in statue, Paul spoke boldly against them through the power of God. (2 Corinthians 10:10)

Application:

Because we are in Christ and He is within us, we are physically in this world but not of this world. (John 8:23)  The life of every believer is battle against Satan, and his principalities and powers, and the men of the world which he uses to corrupt the hearts of believers. (Ephesians 6:12)  The more useful we are to the purpose of God and His kingdom, the more we are attacked.  That is why we need to put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand strong against the devil. (Ephesians 6:11-18)  We must be on guard because the battle is not physical but psychological and spiritual.  The devil is after our mind and our heart, and if he can’t get them, he will attempt to destroy our credibility, influence, and effectiveness.  In truth, the battle against Satan is not ours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15)  We are just pawns in this game of chess, used for His purpose.  We need to make sure that we are ready for service in His army.  However, in this war we will be victorious. (1 Corinthians 15:57)  To God be the glory!

IN THIS WORLD BUT NOT OF THIS WORLD

Proclamation:

"You are all children of The Light and children of the day.  We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  So then, let us not be like others ... But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.  For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up ..." 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle Paul under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Addressing the believers in Thessalonica, Paul began this chapter talking about "the day of The Lord", judgement day, and reminded them that as children of God they would be raptured beforehand.  Here he reminds them that they are not of this world and that as children of God they should act differently from the worldly people.  He also reminded them that they need protection against worldly temptations.  As believers, they would be spared the wrath of God and that they should be that fact.

Application:
Jesus said, "I am The Light of the world." (John 8:12 & 9:5)  We are sons of The Light.  He also said that He was that He was from heaven above and that He was not of this world. (John 8:23)  Because of the Christ that is within us, we are in this world but not of this world and we should not act like worldly people.  We need to exercise self-control.  We should put on the whole armor of God as we do battle with the world and its temptations.  It is not God's plan for us to suffer His wrath, but to be saved.  Therefore let us encourage each other, better days are coming.  Let us build each other up and not tear each other down.  Let us help, and not hurt; let us give, and not take; let us love, and not hate.

WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD

Proclamation:

“But He continued, 'You are from below; I am from above.  You are of this world; I am not of this world.’”  John 8:23 (NIV)

Explanation:

The Apostle John, who referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved, recorded these words of Jesus as He explained to the Pharisees and the Jews in the crowd that He was going to leave, and go to a place where they could not find Him, and where they could not go.  Jesus was referring to His death and ascension to heaven.  He told them that they could not go with Him because they would die in their sins. (John 8:21)  Jesus told them that He was not like them.  He came from heaven, He was not of this world.

Application:

Jesus, The Christ, said that He was not of this world. (John 8:23)  He also said that His kingdom was not of this world. (John 18:36)  Because His spirit indwells us, (John 6:56, John 14:17, and Romans 8:11) as believers, we are not of this world either. (John 15:19)  We are in this world, but we are not of this world.  We do not belong to the world, we belong to Christ.  Therefore, we should not love the world, or worldly things, and consequently the world will not love us. (1 John 2:15)  We should not conform to the world. (Romans 12:2)  We should love The Lord with all of our heart, mind, and soul; and we should expect that the world will hate us for doing so. (Deuteronomy 13:3 and John 15:18)  Since He is not of this world and His Spirit is within us, we are not of this world.