2 corinthians lesson 8 “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely...

2 Corinthians

Lesson 8“for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely

powerful…”2 Cor. 10:4

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Introduction

• In 2 Cor. Chapters 10-12, Paul defends his apostolic authority against the false apostles at Corinth

• The faithfulness of the Corinthians was at stake

• Would they continue to learn and live by the only true gospel or turn away to false teaching?

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Introduction

• The false apostles used sinful tactics to mislead the Corinthians by discrediting Paul and exalting themselves

• Paul had established the church at Corinth and was filled with much affection and anguish toward them

• Today, we are engaged in the same spiritual warfare which we can only fight properly if we use the same Divine weapons containing God’s power to save

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What The Warfare Is Not?

• The warfare is not a physical war based on using physical weapons

• The warfare is not the internal warfare in all Christians where we struggle to choose God’s Word to guide our actions instead of fleshly desires

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The Warfare Is Not A Physical Battle

Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."

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The Warfare Is Not The Internal Battle of Flesh and Spirit Within Each Christian

1Pe 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.

1Pe 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

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What Is The Warfare?

• The warfare Paul writes about can help us in our internal war but this war is external

• This warfare is the battle for the minds of the Corinthians that they may remain loyal to Christ by following the gospel

• The opponents are those false teachers seeking to challenge Paul's apostolic authority

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The Warfare Is The Battle For The Minds of The Corinthian Brethren

2Co 10:1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!

2Co 10:2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.

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2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,

2Co 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

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2Co 10:5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

2Co 10:6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

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2Co 11:1 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me.

2Co 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.

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2Co 11:3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

2Co 11:4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.

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2Co 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

2Co 11:14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

2Co 11:15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

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What Weapons Are We Forbidden To Use In This Warfare?

• Any weapon displaying works of the flesh is forbidden

• They do not help save anyone through the gospel including those who use them

• Same fleshly weapons used against Paul were used against Jesus

• It is a temptation to want to fight back with the same sinful weapons used by enemies of the gospel

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Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

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Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

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Fleshly Weapons Used At Corinth

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.

1Co 3:2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,

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Fleshly Weapons Used At Corinth

1Co 3:3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

1Co 3:4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men?

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Slander Used Against Paul At Corinth

2Co 1:15 In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing;

2Co 1:17 Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?

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2Co 1:18 But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.

2Co 1:19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us--by me and Silvanus and Timothy--was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.

2Co 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

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2Co 1:23 But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth.

2Co 1:24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

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2Co 10:10 For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible."

2Co 10:11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.

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2Co 10:12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.

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2Co 12:11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.

2Co 12:12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

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2Co 11:7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?

2Co 12:16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.

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2Co 12:17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?

2Co 12:18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?

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Arrogance and Selfish Ambition At Corinth

2Co 11:18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.

2Co 11:19 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly.

2Co 11:20 For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.

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“for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful…”

1. What is the warfare?

2. What weapons are we forbidden to use in this warfare?

3. What weapons are we to use in this warfare?

4. For what purposes do we fight this war?

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What Weapons Are We To Use In This Warfare?

• The weapons Paul used are the same for us today, spiritual weapons for this spiritual warfare over the minds of men

• These weapons are created by God who designed them to overcome all fleshly opposition

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What Weapons Are We To Use In This Warfare?

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,


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The Word of God

Eph 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

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The Word of God

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

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The Word of God

1Co 4:15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

1Co 4:16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

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The Word of God

1Co 4:17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

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The Word of God

1Co 4:6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.

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Speaking the Word of God In Love

Eph 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

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2Co 2:3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.

2Co 2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

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2Co 7:4 Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

2Co 7:16 I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you.

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2Co 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES.

2Co 13:2 I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,

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Living According To The Word By Displaying The Fruit of The Spirit

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

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2Co 1:12 For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

1Co 9:27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

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2Ti 2:24 The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

2Ti 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

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2Ti 2:26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

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Prayer

2Co 13:7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.

2Co 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.

2Co 13:9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.

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Prayer

2Co 9:13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,

2Co 9:14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

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Prayer

2Co 1:9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;

2Co 1:10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,

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Prayer

2Co 1:11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.

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Giving Up of Rights Such As Receiving Financial Support

2Co 11:7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?

2Co 11:8 I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you;

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2Co 11:9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.

2Co 11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.

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2Co 11:11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

2Co 11:12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.

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Mutual Encouragement

2Co 7:4 Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

2Co 7:5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.

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Mutual Encouragement

2Co 7:6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

2Co 7:7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.

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For What Purposes Do We Fight This War?

• In this war, we first seek to persuade people to submit their thinking and will to God by becoming Christians

• This happens when our faith in Jesus leads us to repent and be baptized for forgiveness of sins

• We continue to fight for the minds of Christians to conform to the gospel and not turn to destructive errors

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2Co 10:5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

2Co 10:6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

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Rom 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

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Act 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified."

Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"

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Act 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

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“for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful…”

1. What is the warfare?

2. What weapons are we forbidden to use in this warfare?

3. What weapons are we to use in this warfare?

4. For what purposes do we fight this war?

2 corinthians lesson 8 “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely...

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