It Starts Small

False apostles and critics hurled challenges at Paul’s legitimacy. They questioned his status as a true apostle of Jesus Christ. This stirred up conflict and doubt. In response, Paul passionately confronts one of their venomous accusations within this chapter.

10 Now I, Paul, myself, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent. ² I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are living according to the flesh. 

2 Corinthians 10:1-2

 “I, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.”

Paul passionately models for us what true Christian encouragement ought to embody. He has the authority to rebuke or demand. However, he often chooses to petition and entreat. This choice showcases the depth of his heart towards them. Paul genuinely cared for the Corinthians with an earnestness that was palpable, fervently desiring their growth and flourishing in faith. It was this heartfelt sincerity that fueled his unwavering commitment to their spiritual journey. He poured his time and energy into them, visiting, writing letters, and fervently praying on their behalf. If he didn’t wholeheartedly care for their spiritual well-being, he would never have persisted in such dedicated efforts.

What fervent attitude should we embrace toward our fellow believers? Like Paul, we must earnestly urge them to prioritize God above all else and thrive in their Christian faith journey. We are not to badger or pester them; instead, we passionately plead for them to follow God’s Word. Is there someone you’ve been challenging regarding their sins? Do you need to recalibrate your approach and attitude toward them?

By the meekness and gentleness of Christ

Jesus did not often directly describe his own character. When He did, this is what He said about Himself:

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

Jesus passionately described Himself as “lowly” and “humble in heart.” Among countless character qualities, He chose these to reveal His true essence. These traits personify His being. He is not a strict or harsh taskmaster. Instead, He is a beacon of kindness and humility. Abandoning His divine rights, He selflessly prioritizes the needs of others. When a sinner approaches Him, Jesus responds without anger or condemnation. He opens His arms with grace and acceptance and embodies unconditional love. Jesus Himself has all the power in the universe. However, He chose not to use this power to free Himself when people taunted Him on the cross. Neither did He open His mouth to defend Himself.

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughter
and like a sheep silent before her shearers,
he did not open his mouth.

Isaiah 53:7

Paul fervently sought to reflect the love and compassion of Jesus in his ministry. With the same gentle spirit that characterized Christ, he uplifted the Corinthians, inspiring them to embrace kindness. Would your friends describe you as gentle and meek, or do they see you as harsh and quick-tempered? Earnestly pray that God ignites within you a humble heart, mirroring the grace of our Lord.

Gentle but bold

Paul passionately declares that he is “humble when face to face…but bold toward you when I am away.” Why this stark contrast in behavior? There is a divine time for gentleness and a time to unleash boldness ( See Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Paul wisely chose to confront and rebuke the Corinthians through his letters. When faced with confrontation, our instinctive reaction often spirals into anger, denial, or debate. This letter-writing approach provided them with precious time to reflect. It allowed the Holy Spirit to work within them. This approach inspired authentic repentance. It granted Paul the opportunity to express every thought swirling in his heart, undisturbed and free from distraction.

The goal was for the Corinthians to truly hear his passionate rebukes and turn their hearts back to righteousness. If they embraced this chance for repentance, then Paul’s face-to-face visit would be a profoundly uplifting experience. We must never confuse true gentleness and humility with a tolerance for sin. Jesus, who described Himself as “gentle” and “humble in heart,” did not shy away from fierce reactions toward wrongdoing. He boldly cleansed the temple with righteous anger and fearlessly exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. His deep humility did not mean silence when faced with sin. Instead, it fueled His passionate call for true justice. He sought repentance.

Thus there is a time to be gentle and a time to be bold. And the two are not mutually exclusive.

Who deserves your gentle touch, and who calls for your unwavering boldness? When a person admits their wrongdoing, embrace gentleness with all your heart. Do this when they sincerely strive to turn away from it. We must never extinguish a flickering flame. Our mission is to nurture it. We aim to help it blaze with an even more brilliant glow.

²⁰ He will not break a bruised reed,
and he will not put out a smoldering wick,
until he has led justice to victory.

Matthew 12:20

When people willfully pursue sin, that is the time to confront them boldly.

Who suspect us of walking according to the flesh

In the Corinthian church, some dared to launch scathing accusations against Paul. They claimed he walked according to the flesh, as if he reveled in a sinful lifestyle. Yet, with compelling force, Paul seizes this very accusation. He turns the tide and stirs a profound discourse. This discourse is on the fierce battle of spiritual warfare that rages beyond mere appearances.

---

Cross-References

• Ephesians 3:12
• Acts 4:13
• 2 Timothy 1:7

Reflective Questions

• How was Christ gentle and meek?
• How was the meekness of Jesus different from most powerful people?
• What did Paul mean that he was humble when present and bold when absent?
• Is there any lesson about communication we can learn from this?
• What response was Paul hoping for among the Corinthians?
• Why might he need to show boldness to the Corinthians the next time he saw them?

---

 ³ For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, ⁴ since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments ⁵ and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. ⁶ And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Though we walk in the flesh

The term “flesh” carries a profound duality. It signifies not only the “physical body” but also the “sinful nature.” Some people pointed fingers at Paul’s so-called sinful nature. Yet, Paul’s response illuminated a different truth. He was speaking of the body itself. He resolutely denied any indulgence in gratifying the flesh, all the while humbly acknowledging his humanity.

We are not waging war according to the flesh

The war Paul passionately speaks of is a fierce spiritual battle. At the moment of salvation, every believer enters a vibrant new battlefield. They face formidable foes: Satan and his relentless legions of demons. Yet, within this struggle, there emerges a powerful advocate: Jesus Christ. Transformed and renewed, he stands as a new creation, sealed by the Holy Spirit’s divine presence. Paul’s bold portrayal of the Christian life as a “war” resonates deeply and carries profound significance.

What does the word “war” imply about the Christian walk?

A war is not just serious; it is a formidable arena where every moment hangs by a thread. The stakes are unimaginably high—failure equates to death. One must remain fiercely vigilant against the relentless assaults of the enemy. These threats include brutal frontal charges, cunning sabotage, insidious traps, and the venomous spread of propaganda. A soldier has a burning resolve. They must train relentlessly. The soldier hones both body and spirit for the all-or-nothing clash of battle. There is no other choice but to fight. Surrender is not an option; it is a death knell. This is the fierce reality that every Christian faces when they commit to the Lord—there exists no neutral ground. The enemy will not grant mercy. The believer is charged with an unyielding spirit, refusing to yield or retreat. Instead, they rise to “wage war” with fierce determination!

You are in a battle. Are you trying to be a spectator or are you waging war? What is one specific thing you can do to be a better warrior?

Not of the flesh

The believer does not wage war according to the flesh.

What does it look like if a person tries to fight this war in the flesh? What does it look like if he tries to fight this war in the spiritual plane?

By our own strength, we cannot achieve victory! Satan is a powerful force, as are his insidious demons. Their influence on this world is overwhelming, far beyond our capacity to resist. Our own flesh falters in the face of such malignancy. So, what is the wicked goal of Satan? He craves your very mind and soul! He wants to lead you into sin. He aims to pull you away from the loving embrace of the Lord!

⁸ Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

1 Peter 5:8

To triumph over a superior adversary, we must fervently seek assistance, and God provides that very aid. He stands resolutely by our side, empowering and upholding us every step of the way. The crucial first move in any triumphant battle plan is to approach God with a heartfelt plea: “I need help! I cannot conquer this alone. My strength falters, and I rely on You.” This plea embodies the essence of surrendering our struggle to Him rather than relying solely on our own flesh. We place our trust not in ourselves, but in the one who can grant us true victory! We return to Him time and time again, day after day, gazing upon the cross and seeking His deliverance. We must embrace a life of absolute dependence on Him!

The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh

When we come to God and ask for His help, He gives us some new and powerful weapons.

¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. ¹³ For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:11-18

The weapons mentioned above include:

• Belt of truth
• Breastplate of righteousness
• Shoes of the gospel of peace
• Shield of faith
• Helmet of salvation
• Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
• Prayer
  (See Also: Blog Series Full Armor of God)

We wield these divine weapons in the spiritual realm. Each one illuminates the vital qualities of the Christian warrior within us! We must fiercely champion the truth, for only the truth can set us free! We are called to live righteous lives, courageously saying “no” to temptation and fleeing from its grasp. Let us venture boldly into the world. We bring the gospel of peace to the lost. We rescue them from the clutches of darkness. We usher them into the glorious kingdom of light! We must cling to God’s promises with unwavering faith. As we do this, our trust in His Word will extinguish Satan’s fiery assaults! Let us don the helmet of salvation, proudly identifying ourselves as warriors of the Lord! The Word of God will serve as our powerful offensive weapon. It will slash through enemy strongholds. These strongholds ensnare the minds of the unbelieving! And at all times, let us pray fervently, humbly relying on God to intervene powerfully on our behalf!

Identify a fierce battleground in your life. You find yourself under relentless assault from Satan’s attacks within your very flesh. Perhaps it’s your reaction to your children’s misbehavior. This reaction ignites a spark of frustration. Maybe you’re striving passionately to lead your spouse towards faith in God. You yearn for transformation in their heart. It could even be the overwhelming task of preparing a sermon or Bible study, relying solely on your own intellect. Once you’ve pinpointed the area where self-reliance threatens your spiritual journey, surrender it to the Almighty. Declare specifically how you will use God’s unparalleled weapons. Empower yourself with these when you face this challenge in the future.

But have divine power to destroy strongholds

These strongholds are not mere castles or fortifications; they represent an intense spiritual battle. They are spiritual strongholds! A stronghold is an area that the enemy foolishly believes is completely under his control. It could be an addiction—like pornography, drug abuse, or alcoholism. These addictions ensnare a person to the point where they feel hopeless. They might feel as if there’s no escape. Perhaps this soul is someone whom Satan considers a permanent trophy in his dark kingdom. They may appear to be a lost cause, having rejected Christ and wandered astray for decades. It can even manifest as a damaging mindset. This mindset spreads insidiously through a culture, a family, or within the walls of a church. Think of entire nations or tribes engulfed in collective sin and darkness, enslaved by these powerful strongholds of the enemy. Yet, they can be shattered! The incredible power of God can rescue the lost. It liberates them from addiction. It breaks the chains of sin. It illuminates their hearts to the glorious truth.

As warriors of Christ, we are called to engage fiercely in the battles that matter most! We must wage war in our own lives, rejecting every sin and dismantling any wrong thinking. But our fight doesn’t stop there; we are charged with storming the strongholds in the lives of others! The gospel, fervent prayer, unwavering faith, the gift of salvation, and the transformative Word of God are our mighty weapons. A life of righteousness and the steadfast truth stand firm with them. They hold the power to set us and others free! Let this ignite a fire within you! God desires for you to live in triumphant victory. He has made it not just possible. It is a divine promise!

Identify one stronghold. How will you use the weapons from God to destroy it?

Destroy argument and opinion and take every thought captive to Christ

Paul passionately identifies a crucial battleground in this intense spiritual war. It is the mind! Nations are acutely aware of this fierce battle. Throughout history, governments have cunningly wielded the power of propaganda. If they can seize the minds of their citizens, they can dominate them. Heart-wrenching examples abound. During WWII, some Japanese pilots became kamikazes. They sacrificed their very lives in unwavering devotion to the emperor. Countless others ended their own lives rather than face capture. They were utterly convinced through relentless propaganda that this was the ultimate path to honor.

Satan is acutely aware of this truth. He seeks to dominate the hearts and minds of the masses with his insidious propaganda. In the sacred Garden of Eden, he initiated his cunning assault in a subtle manner. He whispered doubts into Eve’s ear. He asked, “Did God truly say?” and lured her with the deceitful promise that “you will not surely die.” In that fateful moment, he ensnared her mind, paving the way for rebellion against the Almighty.

What methods does the enemy use to influence people’s minds? What are some arguments and “lofty opinions” which set themselves up against the knowledge of God?

Here are few examples of mainstream arguments that set themselves against God:

• Evolution
• Hedonism
• Live and let live
• Universalism
• All religions are good as long as you are sincere
• God is harsh and capricious
• Look out for number one
• You are a self-made man
• Traditional family values are outdated
• People are basically good

These are just a few of the countless vile belief systems that echo throughout the world. So, what is our sacred duty when confronted with such arguments? We are warriors in His army. We are called to battle against these destructive ideas. We fervently pray for the liberation of souls ensnared by these ideas. Armed with the unyielding truth of God’s Word, we boldly confront and conquer these falsehoods. Just as Jesus rebuked Satan with the power of Scripture, we too wield the Word to shatter these insidious lies!

Our minds are the ultimate battleground! It is crucial that we refuse to let Satan’s deceptions take root within us. Following closely, our families and churches become the next arenas where this battle rages. Our circles of friends join the fray, and ultimately, the fight stretches out to encompass the entire world. We must take every thought captive to obey Christ. This powerful call is often recited when confronting lust or any sinful desire. To truly grasp its significance, we must immerse ourselves in its context!

The context is this spiritual warfare! We are dedicated soldiers in His army. We combat the insidious wrong belief systems. We also confront twisted ideas that infiltrate our surroundings. Every deceptive thought must be illuminated and shattered by the brilliant light of Scripture. This phrase applies extensively yet often eludes our awareness. We miss it when we quote casually without deeper context. We must wage a relentless battle against every instance of wrong thinking. We encounter these armed with the unyielding truth of God’s Word. Indeed, this fight begins in our minds, for it is here where the battle is ignited!

Lustful fantasies ignite a dangerous kind of thinking that stands in stark opposition to God’s Word. It’s a seductive illusion to believe that indulging in such desires can bring true joy or lasting fulfillment. Thus, you must rise up and obliterate this misguided thinking; confront it boldly whenever and wherever it rears its head.

What deceptive argument or lofty opinion have you encountered recently? How will you “destroy” it?

Being ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete

Paul was determined to take action. He refused to remain a mere spectator while the enemies of the gospel infiltrated and devastated the Corinthian church. That would contradict his fervent exhortation about engaging vigorously in this spiritual battle. Believers are called to tear down strongholds, particularly within the church itself! And that is exactly what fueled Paul’s relentless mission. The willfully disobedient would face discipline—not as punishment, but for the ultimate good and restoration of the church!

One real example of a lofty opinion that set itself against God is the idea that immorality should be allowed. Even incest is considered acceptable to show one’s tolerance. This idea was nuked by Paul in 1 Corinthians 5 as the disobedient were dealt with.

---

Cross-References

• Romans 8:8
• Galatians 5:16
• Romans 8:5
• 1 Peter 5:8
• 2 Corinthians 11:14

Reflective Questions

• How are believers walking “in the flesh?”
• What would waging war “according to the flesh” look like?
• How do believers wage war?
• Who are we waging war against?
• What kinds of weapons do we have?
• Who is the enemy and what are the strongholds that we face?
• From the context in verse 5, what is one battlefield that we wage war on?
• What kinds of arguments and opinions are raised against God and His word?
• What should we do when we hear these attacks?
• How can we defend the faith from attacks like this outside the church? How can we defend the faith from attacks inside the church?
• What does it mean to “take every thought captive to obey Christ?”

---

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.