Most of us cannot imagine destroying an enemy force or fortress without the physical strength of armies and physical weapons. However, the Bible describes multiple situations where opposing forces were destroyed.
From the walls of Jericho to invading armies threatening Israel, God acted on behalf of His people (Joshua 6:2-5, 12-20; 2 Chronicles 20:15-17, 21-24).
At these times, the Israelites did not have to use impressive military skills or cunning human strategy. Instead, they trusted in God and obeyed Him (2 Chronicles 20:20; Hebrews 11:30).
In the New Testament, we read about similar imposing strongholds. Paul described how believers can pull down strongholds using the weapons of God (2 Corinthians 10:4).
This verse is significant in the Christian life because we will encounter spiritual warfare. When we do, we can pull down these “fortresses” using spiritual “weapons” in the strength of God.
Background and Context
In 2 Corinthians, Paul addressed the Corinthian church. False teachers had infiltrated the church and led many people away from the truth of the gospel.
These false teachers claimed they were “super-apostles” and made the Corinthians doubt Paul’s authority. They were teaching a false gospel, which many commentators believe involved legalistic adherence to Jewish laws (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
Paul appealed to the Corinthians, hoping he would not be forced to be bold in his treatment of them (2 Corinthians 10:1-2).
Unlike what some of the people in Corinth believed, Paul and his fellow workers did not live according to worldly standards. He specifically mentions that he did not fight opposition and spiritual warfare in the same way that people physically wage war (2 Corinthians 10:3).
Instead of using human weapons, he said, “We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments” (2 Corinthians 10:4, NLT).
The King James Bible interprets the verse differently and reads “to the pulling down of strongholds.” Based on multiple translations, the idea is of destroying the strongholds or fortresses of false teachings that Paul mentions in the verse.
Although Paul lived “in the flesh” as a human, he did not live according to fleshly or worldly standards. He responded to opposition and spiritual warfare using “weapons” from God.
In this way, he could pull down the figurative strongholds of arguments and presumptions that were set up against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5).
When Paul spoke of these strongholds, he was specifically referring to the arguments from the false teachers.
These self-proclaimed “super-apostles” were false apostles and masqueraded as “servants of righteousness,” like how Satan and his demons deceive people into believing they are “angels of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). To fight their negative influence on the Corinthian church, Paul used God’s wisdom and strength.
His purpose for demolishing the fortress of false arguments was to build up the believers in Corinth and motivate them to obey Christ, even though his letters were forceful at times (2 Corinthians 10:8-11).
Paul was not trying to commend himself as the false apostles did (2 Corinthians 10:12-18). Instead, he wanted to help the Corinthian church stay pure in their devotion to Christ, as a bride stays pure for her groom (2 Corinthians 11:1-3).
Strongholds and Spiritual Warfare
In dealing with the problems caused by false apostles in Corinth, and those who sided with them, Paul was engaging in spiritual warfare.
Satan longs to keep people in bondage to sin, and he loves to distort the truth. The Bible describes Satan as a roaring lion that seeks to devour people, including Christians (1 Peter 5:8).
Thus, Paul knew that the “struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
Christians today should consider Paul’s example and be aware of the reality of spiritual warfare. In western cultures, it is sometimes tempting to neglect the truth that the spiritual realm is real and that we can experience a spiritual attack.
These attacks are not always readily apparent since Satan likes to use deceptive methods. Also, we experience many problems, aside from Satan’s deceptions, which arise from our sinful nature (Romans 7:23; 1 Peter 2:11).
One sneaky area of spiritual warfare is false teaching. Jesus describes false teachers or prophets as wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). They appear harmless but are extremely dangerous.
When Paul encountered the false apostles mentioned in 2 Corinthians, they claimed to be within the Body of Christ. However, they taught a false gospel. We need to be aware of false teaching that sneaks into the church, which Scripture warns is a threat (2 Peter 2:1).
In addition, we should guard our minds and thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:7). Spiritual warfare is often waged in our minds since Satan likes to make us doubt while our flesh tempts us from within (James 1:14-15).
To pull down or destroy strongholds, we need weapons from God. Paul gives a list of various pieces of armor to protect ourselves in Ephesians 6:10-18.
When we fight against false teaching and seek to take every thought captive, we must submit ourselves to God’s Word. Using the Sword of the Spirit, we can strike down false arguments (Ephesians 6:17). The Bible is our most powerful weapon in demolishing strongholds.
When Jesus dealt with temptation from Satan in the wilderness, He used Scripture to combat the devil’s lies (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13).
If Jesus, the perfect Son of God, did this, then we also need to turn to Scripture when Satan attacks us with deception and crafty arguments. We should test all things against God’s Word, including philosophies, arguments, and thoughts. In this way, we can fight the lies of the enemy.
Pulling Down Strongholds in God’s Strength
In addition to how 2 Corinthians 10:4 shows us the importance of pulling down strongholds in relation to spiritual warfare, the verse reminds us that we do so only by God’s strength.
We can see the significance of God’s power in the verse when we read that our weapons “are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds” (CSB, emphasis added).
Paul did not try to fight the false apostles in his own power, such as using human tactics or worldly wisdom. Instead, he trusted in the Lord’s strength and the “weapons” He provided.
Likewise, when we encounter spiritual warfare through false teaching or other forms, we need to remember that demolishing strongholds and taking every thought captive is done through the Lord’s power.
Scripture tells us to submit to God in these situations and put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11; James 4:7). Believers should not try to deal with spiritual attacks in their own power because doing so can be dangerous.
Even Michael the Archangel did not seek to rebuke Satan on his own but said, “The Lord rebuke you” (Jude 1:9).
The devil is the enemy of Christians, but we are not alone in our fight against our adversary. The Lord is greater than Satan. In Christ, we have all we need to stand firm and demolish the fortresses of arguments and philosophies that oppose the truth.
What Does This Mean?
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10:4 are significant because they show us the reality of spiritual warfare and that the weapons we fight with are from the Lord. Christians can pull down the strongholds of false arguments by using God’s weapons and trusting in His strength.
Instead of using worldly wisdom and arguments to demolish false teaching or a wrong mindset, we can use the weapons that God has given us, including His Word.
For further reading:
5 Ways to Be Alert and Sober So That the Enemy Does Not Devour You
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Mlenny
