CONTEXT IS KEY In Understanding Scriptures Part 3 # pulling down strongholds ?

CONTEXT IS KEY

In Understanding Scriptures

Part 3 # pulling down strongholds ?

Have you ever heard people quote 2 Corinthians 10 which talk about strongholds ?

2 Corinthians 10

4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 Many times this verse is taken out of context to say different things . Some even go as far saying that the strongholds are from the village. What does this verse means by pulling down strongholds? Was it referring to killing human beings or fighting the devil ? What really is the stronghold ? First and foremost, a stronghold is a fortress, fastness on which one relies. It has to do with arguments and reasonings by which a disputant endeavours to fortify his opinion and defend it against his opponent. So what does this verse means by stronghold ?

So far in this series, we have seen that we cannot give our own meaning to a verse of the Bible . We have to read the Bible to take the truth revealed to us. Words do not occur in isolation. Context is key in knowing the meaning of words and other structures . Therefore for us to know what the Bible means by pulling down strongholds, we have to read the context. Let’s look 2 Corinthians 10  .

2 Corinthians 10

 1  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence ambase among you, but being absent am bold toward you:  

 2  But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.  

 3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

 4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 

 5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

From verse 3 of this chapter, the writer made a very important statement that continued to verse 4 and 5. Verse three states that we do not war after the flesh. Our battle is not against anyone or anything physical though we live in a physical world . This proves false the belief that the stronghold talked about in verse 4 are humans. Verse 3 already tells us that our fight is not physical. It is true some persons can be used as a fortress against you. But you must never be found fighting or killing them. Let’s see an example of how Jesus handled opposition from men.

Luke 9

 51  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

 52  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

 53  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

 54  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

 55  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

 56  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Notice almighty Jesus our Savior was denied entrance into a city. His disciples knowing how powerful He is wanted to call down fire like Elijah. Jesus rebuked them same way we rebuke devils. This is because that particular action of killing is satanic . Jesus stated that He came to save not to destroy people. He is mighty to save not mighty to kill. Many persons presume that POWER is in destruction not knowing that real power is in saving men. So what did Jesus do ? Verse 56, they went through another village to Jerusalem. Notice how Jesus handled physical opposition. It was not by killing . Elijah did his killing out of fear. Read 2Kings 1 especially verse 15.  You will observe that Elijah was afraid. The angel of the Lord had to tell him not to fear and follow them. If you know how powerful you are, you won’t be afraid of what men can do to you FOR GOD IS WITH YOU AND IN YOU as the man in Christ. So when men are involved, apply wisdom and know that God wants them saved not killed. Know your authority in Christ and follow the leading of the Spirit.

Even the devil is not referred to as the stronghold in 2Corinthians 10. He is too weak to be called a stronghold . No reference after the resurrection of Jesus will you see the devil as strong. If 2 Corinthians 10 was referring to the devil as strong, it will contradict other verses in the epistles that speaks of the defeat of the devil. Let’s see few verses that tells us HOW DEFEATED the devil is.

Luke 10

 19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

NOTICE you have been GIVEN POWER over all not some of the powers of the enemy. Note the next clause, Nothing shall by any means hurt you. In other words , The devil is REFERRED to as NOTHING.

Colossians 2

 15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

NOTICE principalities and powers which refers to devils have been spoiled, dislodged in a triumphant parade . We are to parade the victory by casting them out and showing HOW POWERLESS they are.

Hebrews 2

 14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

NOTICE, Jesus in His death destroyed the devil as man. He didn’t do it as God but He partook of flesh to destroy the devil.  What does it means to destroy as used in Hebrews 2?  It is from the Greek word katargeō which means to render idle, unemployed, inactivate, inoperative, to have no further efficiency, to deprive of force, influence, power. The same word was used as ‘ without effect in Romans 3:3, made of none effect in Romans 4:14. We can boldly conclude that the devil is of none effect.  We owe the devil one thing which is to CAST HIM OUT and SHOW  him How powerless he is.

We have seen so far that the strongholds in 2Corinthians 10:4 is not referring to humans or devils. What then is the stronghold? Verse 5 of the same chapter tells us. Let’s look at it.

2 Corinthians 10

 3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

 4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Notice verse 5 tells us what the battle and stronghold is . It's casting down imaginations/pictures and thoughts against the knowledge of God. It is the battle of the mind that is implied here. The stronghold is in the mind and thoughts of men. We bring those thoughts to the obedience of Christ. An example of such strong hold is to belief that the devil is strong. You have to bring your mind to agree with what Jesus had done . So it is not a physical battle. It is not to fight the devil that has been made of no effect. It is to bring your mind to agree with the knowledge of Christ. That is the pulling down of strongholds in this context. Context is key. We stick with what is written . You cannot use the Bible to say whatever you like. You cannot be ignorant to use this verse to say strong holds are from your mother’s or father’s house. In fact for you to even think such means that the strongholds have held your mind. Strong holds are broken by the power of the gospel through the Spirit. Give yourself completely to what Jesus has done . Glory to Jesus.! You are blessed and free from strongholds in your mind.

Don’t forget, NO CONTRADICTIONS in the Bible . It is a book centered on revealing the truth in Christ. In the subsequent parts of this series, we will look at other seemingly contradictory verses in the epistles .

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