Week of Monday, September 6 – Sunday, September 12
God’s Power Team – Man as a Defender
God’s Power Team – Man as a Defender
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
The Power Team is a group of world class athletes who have traveled around the world for the past 30 years, using incredible feats of strength as a way to share the gospel and motivate people to make positive changes in their lives. I’m telling you, the strength these guys have is incredible! They do things like crush stacks of cinder blocks with their foreheads, rip through phonebooks with their bare hands like they’re a single sheet of paper, and inflate hot water bottles until they explode. If you’re looking for a display of pure physical strength, these guys don’t disappoint.
We men will go to great lengths to develop physical strength, build muscle mass, and increase stamina. Some of us will go so far as to schedule arm days, leg days, abs days, and cardio days each week. And some guys even participate in various forms of Spartan races, Iron Man triathlons, or other strongman competitions. But here’s the thing: there are some situations where only God’s supernatural power can give us the victory we need. He is the ultimate Defender (see Psalm 68:5).
Even the “baddest” dude around, the manliest of men, yes even Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime, can’t defeat Satan by his own muscle mass and fighting skill. Arnold might have taken out the alien in the movie Predator, but he would be no match for the Devil, who is the enemy of our souls. But here’s the good news—even if you never work out a day in your life, you can experience God’s supernatural power and His victory. You can, and will, win. Paul was engaged in a battle with false teachers and their satanic deceptions, and he couldn’t arm wrestle anyone to come out on top in this situation. He also knew no amount of debating or reasoning would win the fight. But he didn’t need to do those things. So, Paul determined to take every thought captive, submitting every attitude and action to the Lord.
This is the way we win our battles, men. This is the way we fulfill our role as Defender, especially against deceptive arguments and “lofty opinion” that runs contrary to the knowledge of God. In our own strength, there’s no way any of us can withstand it. No amount of muscle can do the trick. Instead, we must determine to depend on the Lord. It is in His power and with His weaponry from His word that we must confront anything that seeks to sidetrack us and the ones in our care from following Jesus. And He will give us supernatural strength to demolish whatever gets in the way.
The Power Team is a group of world class athletes who have traveled around the world for the past 30 years, using incredible feats of strength as a way to share the gospel and motivate people to make positive changes in their lives. I’m telling you, the strength these guys have is incredible! They do things like crush stacks of cinder blocks with their foreheads, rip through phonebooks with their bare hands like they’re a single sheet of paper, and inflate hot water bottles until they explode. If you’re looking for a display of pure physical strength, these guys don’t disappoint.
We men will go to great lengths to develop physical strength, build muscle mass, and increase stamina. Some of us will go so far as to schedule arm days, leg days, abs days, and cardio days each week. And some guys even participate in various forms of Spartan races, Iron Man triathlons, or other strongman competitions. But here’s the thing: there are some situations where only God’s supernatural power can give us the victory we need. He is the ultimate Defender (see Psalm 68:5).
Even the “baddest” dude around, the manliest of men, yes even Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime, can’t defeat Satan by his own muscle mass and fighting skill. Arnold might have taken out the alien in the movie Predator, but he would be no match for the Devil, who is the enemy of our souls. But here’s the good news—even if you never work out a day in your life, you can experience God’s supernatural power and His victory. You can, and will, win. Paul was engaged in a battle with false teachers and their satanic deceptions, and he couldn’t arm wrestle anyone to come out on top in this situation. He also knew no amount of debating or reasoning would win the fight. But he didn’t need to do those things. So, Paul determined to take every thought captive, submitting every attitude and action to the Lord.
This is the way we win our battles, men. This is the way we fulfill our role as Defender, especially against deceptive arguments and “lofty opinion” that runs contrary to the knowledge of God. In our own strength, there’s no way any of us can withstand it. No amount of muscle can do the trick. Instead, we must determine to depend on the Lord. It is in His power and with His weaponry from His word that we must confront anything that seeks to sidetrack us and the ones in our care from following Jesus. And He will give us supernatural strength to demolish whatever gets in the way.
- What are some ways well-meaning Christians might try to “wage war” against temptation in their own strength instead of by God’s power?
- Notice Paul refers to his situation as war. Do you think it’s an overstatement to say that in your current struggles you could be facing a spiritual battle? Explain.
- What is a thought you need to take captive to become fully obedient to Christ?
- Thank God His weapons for warfare are powerful to destroy your sinful strongholds and those in your family. Name those sinful strongholds and invite Him to destroy them.