NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: Matthew 25-27
SCRIPTURE READING
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV); 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.
As followers of Christ, we have authority to fight against the enemy. Satan is ruthless,
bombarding our thoughts with his attacks. But as coheirs with Christ, we have been given
powerful weapons with which to fight against Satan. We have the Word of God, which
Jesus showed to be powerful when He was tempted by Satan in the desert (Mat. 4). We
have truth, God’s righteousness, peace, salvation, and the power of prayer. (Eph. 6) When
we get up and fight, using these weapons provided for us, we will experience great victory!
Many of us are lazy with our thought life. We think negatively of others, we judge, we
complain, we sulk. These things usually are visible to others, though sometimes can be well
hidden within us. However, the result of such thoughts – whether hidden or exposed – are
treacherous! Many of us know the authority that we have in Christ but don’t use it. Perhaps
we feel awkward talking to the unseen enemy; or we don’t feel like putting forth the energy
to fight, thinking that we will overcome this “next time”. Our lack of action likely comes from
unbelief that we actually have authority. But Jesus’ blood protects us, and Jesus’ name is
powerful. When we partner with Him, and use the weapons we’ve been given, we can take
great leaps against the enemy!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1) Do you exercise the authority you have in Christ, or are you lazy? Meditate on the verses
above. Do you habitually take your thoughts captive, or do you allow the enemy’s
attacks a place in your mind?
2) Ask God if there is any issue in your life that is a result of the enemy’s attacks, and that
He really wants you to start warring against. Spend time doing that right now.
3) Think about the weapons that are briefly mentioned (go to Eph. 6:10-18 for more detail).
How can you grow in using these things to fight against the enemy?
