Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, where Paul wrote these astonishing words:
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."Behold the spiritual weaponry of the church and her shepherding ministry. Paul's opponents had corrupted the Corinthian congregation, and now the apostle does some radical "interior re-decorating”—as he destroys the work of the devil, and re-establishes and furthers the cause of Christ.
Let us remember this: all discipleship begins in the church; but it does not stop there. The Corinthians would eventually join with Paul and expunge the evil from their midst.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Moderate sorrow differs from immoderate sorrow in this: true sorrow stirs up holy endeavors to act in your place and calling for the deliverance of the church.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]
