DEMOLISH ING ARGUMENTS AND EVERY PRETENSION

 I have been mulling the last few days on the words arguments and pretensions which the NIV uses in 2 Corinthians 10:5.  I have wanted to check out other translations:  ESV: arguments and lofty opinions, The Voice: arguments and ideas, and every high and mighty philosophy, The Message: warped philosophies, NKJ: arguments and every high thing that exalts, NLT: every proud argument, KJV: imaginations, and every high thing.  Oh my goodness!  I get it LORD.  Each noun in these verses suggest the "idea of mental planning intended to result in some not well-intentioned deed."Alan Richardson.  Is it no wonder that we must take aggressive and intentional action against these "thoughts" for they become our stronghold and our course of action which is attached to a sinful thought?

I am amazed that we are not alert to the hammering noises that are going on for the building of the stronghold in our hearts and minds.  As a parent, we would not turn a deaf ear to the cries of an injured child.  I wonder what causes us to hit the snooze button when our sins are swelling with malicious and malignant intentions.  Why aren't we alert as the building begins with the foundation rather than waiting until it is a full-blown edifice unto my pride? 

I am the first to confess that attempting to take every thought captive to the LORD JESUS is overwhelming, but waiting until it is in full-blown malignancy is hellish and painful.  I need to consider the length of time in the process of tearing down the stronghold, the healing, and the restoration/renewing of my mind and heart.  The ole evil one moves into stalk position looking for his prey.  REMEMBER: Colossians 2:15, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."  He is disarmed until I choose to give him the weapon and the bullets!  I must choose wisely.    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LAST THOUGHT ON LEVITICUS

Image
  For the first time in many years, I have enjoyed reading through Leviticus.  I have skipped it several times and read on.  This go round, I have sought to focus on some thoughts, words, phrases, or practices that God had instituted for the Israelites and their physical and spiritual well-being.  The Ten Commandments and many of the laws have real practical value for society and the Christ follower today.  The Lord God gave them a standard, a commandment, which is applicable for today, "You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees.  I am the Lord (Jehovah) your God (Elohim).  Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them.  I am the LORD."  Leviticus 18:4-5   My concluding thought from Leviticus is this admonition or commandment:  " You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."  Leviticus 20:26.  Even though spoken to Israel, the truth of being holy is directe
Read more

REHEARSALS

Image
  I wonder how much time do I give to rehearsing God's goodness and how He has intervened in my life to "save" me from myself?  How alike the Israelites I can be, complaining about what goes wrong, how it affects me, and what I lack.  As a Christ follower, I have the Indwelling Holy Spirit to give me remembrance NOT of my complaining and grumbling, but of a recall of God's faithfulness to me.  It is recorded in Psalms 78 and 106 that " They forgot what He had done, the wonder He had shown them", "They did not remember His power--the day He redeemed them from the oppressor...", "They did not remember Your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.", "But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.", and "They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt...". Contrast with me, God's remembrance: Ps. 106:44-46, "But He took note of their distress
Read more

ORDER AND DESIGN

Image
    I do not have OCD, but I do confess that I like order in my home.  Now that I am retired, I am not so much into spotless, but "picked up" and "kinda" clean. (Do not open drawers and closets!) I might go to more trouble when I know I am having company, but otherwise, I remove the clutter that seems to reproduce on its own.   When I began the reading in Genesis in January, I was again taken with the with the orderliness and design of God in creation, and have seen Him use Moses and Aaron to ORDERLY marshal the Israelites to move out of Egypt. How do you move some 600+ males and that is not even wives and children? Animals also?  They have been one year+ out of Egypt, and have been camped at Mt. Sinai where God has given them laws for their spiritual and physical welfare.  God gives Moses the design of the Tabernacle and Moses is able to bring together the workers to complete the Tabernacle.   The clip art at the top is the positioning of the 12 Tribes and the
Read more