Our Thoughts, Evaluations & Judgements

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."

Verse 3 says that "we walk in the flesh , we do not war after the flesh".  What exactly does that mean?  Very simply put, it means that we live our lives in this body of ours, but we do not (or at least should not) fight with our human nature that is prone to sin and oppose God.  In other words, do not give into those desires and thoughts that lead to sin and opposition to God.

Verse 4 says, "for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds".  When we are faced with temptations and thoughts that could lead us to sin and opposition to God, we do not defeat those things with our own human nature of thinking.  They must be faced with tools and thinking that are mighty through God.  These tools operate or function with HIS power... not our own.  Then those strong holds of sin and opposition can be torn down. 

Verse 5 says, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." ~ "Imaginations" in this verse is dealing with our thinking, evaluation and judging.  I like the Message translation of this verse, "We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ." Those God-tools are the same ones talked about in verse 4.  They demolish the thoughts, evaluations and judgements that lead to sin and opposition to God.

Verse 6 says, "and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."  First of all, I believe that this verse deals with your own disobedience and obedience.  It is not yours or my place to punish someone else for their disobedience.  That is between them and God.  And, trust me, there is a punishment for every disobedient act.  But, when we realize our disobedience (sin and opposition) and make the necessary changes to be obedient, we must keep in mind that there is a punishment involved.  But also remember, as it says in Hebrews 12:6, God disciplines those He loves and accepts as His children.