II Corinthians Chapter 10
Paul, in the last few chapters of this letter will get tough on the believers at Corinth. He wants them to understand that everything he says and does is for their benefit. He wants them to grow in their faith and not to measure their own faith by comparing themselves to others but to compare themselves to Christ. They had been critical of Paul and his ways, accusing that he was reserved when in person but bold in his letters. It was an accusation of hypocrisy that was unfounded as Paul was a man of Godly character whether in person or in a letter. But these were a people who loved to hear a great orator speak and they loved a great debate. They had misunderstood the gentleness of Paul as weakness.
It takes greater spiritual strength to express gentleness and meekness than it does to be bold and loud. Paul reminds them that the battle is a spiritual battle. Every believer needs to take stock in the thoughts that are floating in their mind and control those thoughts, bring them captive. Instead of using strong words and manipulation, the believer needs to control those thoughts. This requires us to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us with the spiritual warfare. In doing so we are obeying Christ.
Let's Reflect
1. Paul did not like being accused of walking according to his flesh. Some may have thought that Paul thought highly of himself because he was instructing others in the Christian walk. He reminded them that practical Christian living was not derived from the flesh but what type of warfare must one do to live as a Christ follower?
2. Since the beginning of time man has always come up with their own lofty opinions about God. Men often think that they know more than God. These types of thoughts are very dangerous. What does Paul say we must do with these types of thoughts?
3. When someone begins to think that they are a better Christian than someone else, they need to be reminded that we are all believers in Christ alike. What is also true of all believers before they came to Christ?
4. Paul expressed that he did have authority to instruct them in the faith. His authority was given to him by whom?
5. One of the things Paul did for the benefit of the believers at Corinth was to use his appointment given to him to bring them the gospel. In verse 13 Paul expresses that this is something that he could ___________ about.
6. His hope is that the gospel will be spread to others by the believers at Corinth. What will need to happen first in the church before this will happen naturally? See verse 15.
7. When Godly Christians boast about leading others to faith in Jesus Christ, what are they really doing? They are not boasting about their own personal endeavors, but they are boasting about the work of whom?
