If it seems like the world is pushing you around, know that you have the power to push back.
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2 Corinthians 10 Summary
The apostle Paul apparently wasn't an impressive guy in person, describing his physical appearance as being weak, and his speech of no account (v10). But even this diminutive man had the power to destroy strongholds and arguments because Paul was not waging war according to the flesh, but was using Spiritual weapons (v4-5).
Chapters like this one are good reminders that Paul was planting churches, not trying to start a movement. Getting a movement started depends on the charisma and bold claims of a leader who must inject continual energy to keep disparate groups of people all focused on one thing and marching in the same direction. Paul makes it clear that he wasn't that type of leader; he had nothing to boast about in that regard.
Rather that being a movement of people being led to accomplish some sort of societal change, the Church is a gathering of people responding to the gospel - an announcement of good news. The boast of the Church is not her high energy, well polished leaders who can manipulate you to follow and support their own ideas and opinions, the boast of the church is the good news that you have been brought to new life in the Kingdom of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Dig Deeper
We live in a day and age in which the size and influence of the Church seems to be waning. Fewer and fewer people associate themselves with the Church, and even fewer are actively engaged in it.
While it's certainly true that there is a much smaller percentage of our communities that belong to our congregations, don't for a minute fall into the trap of thinking that the Church's power is diminished.
Now more than ever we need Christians to push back against the web of lies that society has spun - the lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God. Be aware of the power that you have as one who has the knowledge of the truth made known in the pages of scripture you are reading and pray that in the Spirit you will look at what is before your eyes (v7) and actively work to take every thought captive to obey Christ (v5).
AAA Prayer:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: The God who will demolish all arguments that set themselves against Him (v4)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that your boasts will be in Christ, and not worldly accomplishments.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
