The persuasive power of the word

I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. - 2 Corinthians 10:1‭-‬6 ESV

Pastor Paul Park

The word is for spiritual battle. The devil and demons are real. We forget or often dismiss that we are in a war. Unless you know what the word is for, it is hard to understand why we need the word. The word is referred to as a sword. Who goes to battle without a sword?

But it not just about carrying around the Bible. We must know and use it. We battle in the flesh, but not according to the flesh. All of us are human with limitations, but not all of this is sinful. We don't know everything. We are created and not divine. There is a humility in trusting in God's wisdom and not our own.

What are the strongholds?

They are rationalizations and lofty opinions that are anti-gospel. They keep us from living lives devoted and joyfully for God. We are not trying to take down the castle walls, but the inner defenses within the castle. We need renewal from these ways of thinking. Here are some questions that can guide us:

How can a good God allow suffering?
How can God send people to hell?
Why is Christianity so exclusive?
Hasn't Christianity caused many wars?
Isn't science truer than any religion?

What can take our thoughts captive? Here's some popular modes and ways of thinking.

"Be all that you can be!"
Celebrity/consumer mindset - (we follow what is flashy and attractive to our eyes and ears.)
"You can do anything you want/Chase your passions"
Relativism/intolerance - (it's true for you, not for me/don't judge me/don't offend anyone)
Materialism - (there is only what you can see/touch/taste.)

If we don't take every thought captive to Christ, then the thought is captive to something else. It is in rebellion. It is a question of autonomy. Who is in charge? Jesus or us? When we don't do take them all captive, we are effectively saying, Christ is not better than ______. We are saying we know better than God what is best. Many of our sins and addictions stem from this. Is Jesus better than any of your goals and dreams? Is Jesus better than your life? Jesus calls us to submit our thoughts, dreams, goals, and lives... Not just once, but everyday. If your heart is not captive to Christ, how can you captivate others to Christ? If Christ is not persuasive in your life, then how can you persuade others?

We are not persuasive in being argumentative. It is being gracious and loving. We aren't trying to prove a point or be correct. We are trying to rescue the other person from destructive ways and habits. We are not dropping "truth bombs" but walking with them. We need to suffer with them and love them.

The Disciplines Of The Word

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord ; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psalms 119:9‭-‬16 ESV

Teach me, O Lord , the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
Psalms 119:33‭-‬40 ESV

You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord , according to your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Psalms 119:65‭-‬72 ESV

Rev. Charles Han

What do we need to do to get the most out of God's word?

Prayer

Prayer and scripture go together. Prayer needs to be empowered by scripture. Bible reading needs to be approached prayerfully. We are not naturally inclined to notice the goodness nor order our lives by the word of God. Our hearts are more inclined towards worldly pleasures and gain. Prayerlessness can often make scripture reading fruitless. It can change rout reading into an life changing encounter with God.

Meditation

Do you wish to sin less? Or walk more in the way of God? Hide his word in your heart. Store it up by meditating on it. This is Christian mediation, not eastern meditation. It is not about emptying your mind, but rather about filling our minds with God who brings true peace. We need to fix ourselves on the concrete character of God in scripture. It is not just hearing or reading, but you need to chew and digest the word.

Memorize some scripture for a day or a week. Use it to shape your desires, thoughts, and actions. Even if you keep forgetting, keep going. Get back up and get back into it.

Trial

Why is this one of the main disciplines? Only in the midst of our real needs, struggles, and sins does scripture become real. Only through the bitter cold of winter do you know the glorious joy of spring.

God's word only comes with grace and truth when we are in the struggle of life and pain. Suffering brings scripture to life. We can be theological giants but with small hearts and insufficient experiential understanding. God's desire is for us to speak god's word with genuine grace and understanding... And this comes thorough suffering. God exalts scripture through our suffering. God will bring trials for our good.

How does the psalm end? He ends on a note of straying like a lost sheep, one who is backsliding. He needs a savior. There is only one blameless one with a perfect devotional life. He was the afflicted one. This is Jesus. It is not about your commitment to His word, but rather His devotion to you.