Notes – Compiled by Marc Bredenkamp 1

Spiritual Warfare – A Warriors Mindset! 15-03-2009

2 Cor 10:1-18 1Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness
of Christ-- who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2
But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I
intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4For the weapons of
our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down
arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing
every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6and being ready to punish all
disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 7Do you look at things according to the
outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again
consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's. 8 For even if I
should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification
and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed-- 9lest I seem to terrify you by letters.
10"For his letters," they say, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak,
and his speech contemptible." 11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word
by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present. 12
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend
themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves
among themselves, are not wise. 13We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but
within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us-- a sphere which especially
includes you. 14For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not
extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting
of things beyond measure, that is, in other men's labors, but having hope, that as your
faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, 16 to preach the
gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of
accomplishment. 17But "he who glories, let him glory in the Lord." 18 For not he who
commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. (NKJ)
In order to understand this subject we need to know that God is the ultimate Warrior. In the
diversities of His expression to mankind and on behalf of mankind, one of the many expressions
and manifestations of God is that He is the ultimate warrior! In the light of Paul’s understanding
regards the nature of the devil and his destructive bent, this should be easy to understand. Every
saint and five fold minister should be first a warrior and then a minister!!

Exodus 15:3(a) The Lord is a Man of war………

In fact one of Gods earliest revelations of Himself, was that He is the Lord of Hosts. The word
Hosts refers to military forces.

Isa 47:4 As for our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is His name, the Holy One of Israel.
(NKJ) As a result of this earlier revelation of God to man, and their understanding of their enemy,
we can understand why the early church was so militant. They viewed themselves as an army.
The reason was, that if they were to be obedient to the “Great Commission”, to go forth and
disciple the nations and baptize them, they needed to have a militaristic approach and strategy.

They had to be disciplined, organized, consistent and committed. They needed to know
how to war in the spirit.
2 Cor 10:1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of
Christ-- who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
Destiny Harvest Centre
Tel: 031 561 6555
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Website: www.destiny.co.za
 Notes – Compiled by Marc Bredenkamp 2

In our text here today, we see an amazing introduction by Paul of himself prior to declaring that
the warfare he fights is not in “the flesh realm”! Paul begins to describe himself; using
terminology like “lowly, base”. The Greek words used here are descriptive of someone who is
downcast or extremely humble. These words describe somebody who has a very low self
opinion of themselves and has been terribly humiliated. This word can also be translated as
ugly, depressed, something shameful, or something to be embarrassed about. What Paul
is saying to the Corinthian church is the following: “You all know about me and know that I am
not much to look at, everybody knows I am ugly, I look downcast, beat up, and I am even
an embarrassment to some.” By today’s standards in the church, Paul’s ministry would
most probably not have been accepted by most churches in the First World countries.
Very few ministers would have had Paul on their pulpits.
The reason why he describes himself in such a way and reminds them of the times he was in
their midst bodily is because there are some upcoming young hotshot ministers desiring
popularity, recognition and placement. They were having a real problem trying to convince many
in the church of their “importance and powerful ministries”.
The reason for their difficulties was the reality that Paul’s ministry was very popular and well
established. In order for them to become popular they needed to get Paul out of the picture and
out of the minds of the people. As a result they began to attack Paul in different ways. Their
strategies were to discredit Paul and they were desperate to find some fault with him. They
attacked his doctrine, financial integrity and credibility, but were unable to make it all stick.
The one avenue left was to attack his appearance. Paul had been martyred in the flesh and
looked really grotesque; as a result they began to spread rumors as follows: They began to sow
questions as to how such an insignificant, ugly, downcast individual could have ever
written such powerful letters. They began to ask how any one could ever follow or even
listen to a man that looks like that. They were trying to get the church to operate in the power
of “observation”! They were trying to do just what the enemy tries to get us to do so that
God’s Kingdom cannot come. Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is not made manifest
when we operate by the power of observation. The religious spirit always judges
according to the externals; however God does not operate like that at all. He wants us to
be able to “see” by the Spirit. (See our series on spiritual perception)
1 Sam 16:7But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of
his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man
looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (NKJ)
Luke 11:37-40 37And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He
went in and sat down to eat. 38And when the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not
first washed before dinner. 39But the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees make the
outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.
40"Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? (NKJ)
2 Cor 10:7-11 7Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is
convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, that just as
he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's. 8For even if I should boast somewhat more about
our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall
not be ashamed-- 9lest I seem to terrify you by letters. 10"For his letters," they say, "are
weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." 11
Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent,
such we will also be in deed when we are present. (NKJ)

Destiny Harvest Centre

Tel: 031 561 6555
Email: email@destiny.co.za
Website: www.destiny.co.za
 Notes – Compiled by Marc Bredenkamp 3

Here we discover exactly what doubt they were trying to sow as well as what part of his body
they had begun to attack!! “the outward appearance”… 4383 - prosopon-1) the face a) the
front of the human head b) countenance, look; the face so far forth as it is the organ of sight, and
by it various movements and changes c) the index of the inward thoughts and feelings d) the
appearance one presents by his wealth or property, his rank or low condition 1) outward
circumstances, external condition 2) used in expressions which denote to regard the person in
one's judgment and treatment of men 2) the outward appearance of inanimate things; The part
round the eye, the face. (Vines expository dictionary). They were attacking the features of
Paul’s face.

2 Corinthians 10:10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily
presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”

This verse reveals to us that that the rumors and attacks are reaching his ears. Paul’s response
is basically: “So you are judging my ministry, the power that I operate in, and even my
credibility by the grotesqueness of my face?” Paul is angry and upset that they judge his
ministry and Gods power by the flesh. Even though there really was a lot wrong with Paul’s flesh.
His flesh had been massacred for Jesus.

2 Cor 11:22-33 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the
seed of Abraham? So am I. 23Are they ministers of Christ?-- I speak as a fool-- I am more:
in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths
often. 24From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25Three times I was
beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I
have been in the deep; 26in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in
perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the
wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27in weariness and toil, in
sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness--
28besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the
churches. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn
with indignation? 30If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
31The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am
not lying. (NKJ)
Not only was Paul’s flesh massacred, but he was continuously treated with contempt. (1 Cor
4:9-21) His response to their attack is revealed in the following verse!

2 Corinthians 10:3 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.”
Paul’s response is clearly expressed in this verse. The word for walk is important for us to study if
we are to be able to fully understand Paul’s response –

The Greek words for this word “walk” are a compound of two Greek words. i.) Peri – This Greek
word means around ii)Pataeo – This Greek word means “to walk in a pattern” When you
put these two words together it means to do something habitually, or by pattern, to walk in a
circle, to walk in a particular area over and over and over.

What Paul is saying here is that: “Nearly everything I do, I do in the flesh, I eat in the flesh, I sleep
in the flesh, I think in the flesh, I play in the flesh, I have relationships in the flesh. I am locked in
the flesh realm.” But ……”There is one thing I do not do in the flesh, I do not war in the flesh
realm.”

Destiny Harvest Centre

Tel: 031 561 6555
Email: email@destiny.co.za
Website: www.destiny.co.za
 Notes – Compiled by Marc Bredenkamp 4

“War”… This word that Paul uses is most probably one of the most militant words in the New
Testament. This phrase is more brutal than any other phrase used in the whole of the New
Testament. This is a very ancient and old word in the Greek …It conveys three different ideas:
1) It conveyed the attitude of a murderer. It describes a person with murderous intent. It
describes someone who loves bloodshed. One man has said that this word describes the
attitude of a man who cuts with a razor and takes great delight in watching the blood flow
from the wounds.
2) It conveys the attitude of a “hit first”, bully mentality. It suggests the mindset of
someone who is not going to wait for the devil to strike first. Paul is suggesting if anyone
is going to get hit it is not him, it will be the devil.
3) It describes a soldier of the first order. A risk taker, the very best kind of soldier. A
soldier who steps out ahead of everybody while on the front-line and wants to make
contact with the enemy before anybody else, confronting him eyeball to eyeball.

To paraphrase Paul’s response to those that would discredit him…… “I might be small, ugly,
massacred in the body, but in the spirit you better watch out, because I am a giant in the
Spirit.” It is not how big you are in the natural, but how big you are in the Spirit. You don’t have
to be Mr. Hollywood, or James Bond to be big in the Spirit. God is not looking for that which is
impressive according to the flesh, but He is looking for a spirit yielded to God.

i) Paul could not depend on his beaten up little body. ii) Many times he could not even
depend on his mind, because he was so weary. iii) He had to go beyond the physical
reality and move into the dimension of the Spirit if he was to have Godly success.

…4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down
strongholds…

In verse number 4 Paul speaks about weapons. This weaponry that we have available to us is
for brutal war not to be fought in the physical reality, but in the spiritual.

Spiritual weaponry is obviously given for war, so that we might wage a warfare. The word
warfare in this verse comes from the Greek word “stratos”. This is where we get the word
strategy from. Spiritual War can never be affectively waged without a divine strategy. Paul
goes on to tell us that these weapons of war are mighty – Dunamis – This word in the Greek
refers to dynamite. In other words our weapons for this warfare have explosive power in
the spiritual reality.

Dynamite however is not powerful or explosive unless used. If you have dynamite at home and
it has been lying around for twenty years this does not mean that you have power in your
house. It simply means you have the potential for explosive power in your house. Many
Christians make this mistake concerning spiritual weaponry. They think they have power just
because they have weapons. Not so!!! Your spiritual weaponry does not become explosive until
you pick them up and use them. Just like dynamite is not explosive until you use it. You can
have weapons and polish them, parade them, talk about them, but until you pick them up and
go into battle it remains all talk and no action.

Destiny Harvest Centre

Tel: 031 561 6555
Email: email@destiny.co.za
Website: www.destiny.co.za