Title: The Power to Break a Strong Camp
2 Corinthians (40) The power to break down strong camps (2 Corinthians 10:1-6)
< Humility, gentleness and generosity >
At that time, Paul's adversaries criticized Paul for being courageous and indecisive, saying that he behaved humbly when he was near and spoke in a strong tone when writing a letter from afar. However, Paul mentions that his humble attitude in front of people was not because of lack of courage, but rather to exhort them with the meekness and tolerance of Jesus (v. 1). In fact, humility, meekness, and generosity are the most distinct dispositions of Jesus and are the characteristics that believers should seek the most. The Apostle Paul did not want his character to be damaged by his adversaries (v. 2).
In Acts 16, we see a scene where Paul circumcised Timothy. In fact, circumcision is a ceremony that has no meaning for the saints. Because there is no need for anything other than to believe in Jesus for salvation. But why did Timothy get him circumcised? It was for smooth relations with the Jews.
Timothy's father was Greek. Also, the Jews living in the Gentiles at that time were less conservative than the Jews in Jerusalem, so they married Gentiles and went uncircumcised. However, in the orthodox Jewish society, without circumcision, Timothy was not circumcised as an obstacle to Paul, who was trying to evangelize the Jews because he was a Gentile. He was circumcised to avoid such obstacles and conflicts. That's tolerance.
For the salvation of souls, tolerance is essential. For the salvation of souls, regardless of efficiency or inefficiency, do things with joy that you shouldn't have to do. In some respects, it is also a great service for women to put on makeup. How much joy do you give to those who devote a lot of time each day to dressing up? Always smiling is the greatest service that makes others feel good. In the same way, practice a spirit of generosity, willing to do sometimes unnecessary and useless work for the soul of another, even when it is not for your own benefit.
< The power to break the strong camp >
At that time, the Apostle Paul did not want to show a physical appearance that expressed quarrels or conflicts with some of the Corinthians (verse 3). Because he knew that the source of true victory was not in the physical (verse 4). When people fight, the physical things they put forward include money, education, fame, logic, and speaking skills. But the true source of victory is spirituality such as meekness, generosity, and humility, and such spirituality is a powerful force that breaks down Satan's strongholds.
The strongest satanic camp that believers must break is the 'camp of thought'. Guard your thoughts. There are thoughts from God that give us peace, and thoughts from the devil that give us anxiety and fear. Win this battle of thoughts. One of the strongest camps against Christianity is not communism, humanism, or Islam, but it is the ‘camp of thought. The ghost came to my mind and said, “You are short! ugly! dirty! You can't be happy!” whispers, making you feel inferior and guilty, making you give up on happiness. Don't fall for that sound.
A man in the United States hated his wife so much that he divorced him and asked the marriage counseling office to find his ideal type. So, the marriage counseling office selected one woman out of 30,000 women entered on the computer, and looking at the picture, it was his wife who had recently divorced.
Some people think that if they change their wives or husbands, they will be happier than they are now. But if you want to live happily ever after, change yourself before you change your spouse. No matter how well you change your spouse, it is of no use if you do not change yourself. Having a spouse and meeting someone of the opposite sex may seem exciting at first, but if you live together, you won't be able to live even a month. Think of it this way. “Now is the best time, I can be happy even in this state.”
Find your way to happiness in your current situation. A happy family is not a family without problems, but a family that overcomes problems. Don't fall for the devil's whispers, "You can't be happy!" There is not a single saint in this world who cannot be happy. Now, as you would a car, repair yourself through the Word and prayer. As much as you bow down before God and obey the Word, your heart will become a strong fortress, and then your peace of mind will never be taken from you.