March 23, 2025

RIGHT WAY LIVING: TRUTH IS OUR DEFENSE

March 23, 2025

 Pastor Jonathan Falwell

In 2 Corinthians 11:28, Paul says one of the things he counts as suffering is his deep concern for the churches. Once we are aware of this heavy burden, we can see it reflected throughout 2 Corinthians. Today, we are studying his heaviness over knowing the Judaizers were trying desperately to undermine his apostleship, bestowed by Jesus Christ Himself, yet they were determined to tear him and the church down until they destroyed the ‘simple faith’ the Corinthians had so readily embraced when the church had begun. Paul’s sufferings were more than we will ever bear, but the internal heartaches are part of our lives as well. Join as we learn ways in which we can apply the principles Paul gave the early believers, leaning on Jesus Christ as our support, and using prayer and spiritual truths from the Word of God to combat lies and deceitfulness.

Focal Passage: 2 Corinthians 10-11.

Our weapon is better than their weapons: 10:1-6                                                                                                                 

  • Read 2 Cor.10:1-4a. What does Paul mean by ‘though we walk in the flesh’—isn’t walking in the flesh wrong? Read Romans 8:1, 4. What is the difference? Why should we not war when we are in the flesh?
  • Who was Paul defending himself against? What are the three weapons of warfare Christians use that are not physical? How is God’s Word a weapon? (See Jer. 23:29, Heb. 4:12, 1 Pet. 1:25). How is God’s Spirit a weapon for us? How is prayer a weapon? Whose power are we asking for when we pray, yet have within us?
  • In verses 4-6, what four things can be done with the spiritual weapons? What are strongholds? What does Paul mean they will ‘cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God’?
  • How do we bring our thoughts into captivity? John Calvin wrote: “The liberty of the human mind is to be restrained and bridled so that it will seek no wisdom outside the doctrine of Christ… it allows itself to be brought into order and remain in voluntary captivity.”[i] Why is this so true?

Our victory depends on Him: 10:7,17-18.

  • Read verse 7. Do you judge by the outward appearance of what you see? Why is that? Read John 7:24 and 8:15. What are we told to do? How do we train our eyes to see that? Think about Revelation: what about the ‘miracles’ the false leaders will do—if people judge by appearance, what will happen? Read 1 Samuel 16:7.
  • Read vv. 17-18. Why are we being warned about pride? Who are some examples from Scripture of those who were proud? Read Psa. 34:2 and Gal. 6:14. When is the only time for boasting?

Watch out for attacks: 11:1-4, 10-15.

  • Read 2 Cor. 11:1-4. Can someone give a paraphrase of what Paul was saying in this passage? Did you feel his love for the Christ-followers as he was concerned they would follow someone who put on a good show, or preached a deceitful gospel?
  • What are some ways in which we can train our minds to accept only truth that is Biblically sound?
  • Read verses 10-15. Think of Eve: what happened in the Garden of Eden, and why did neither she nor Adam stand firm to obey God? How did Satan deceive them? Why is Paul concerned the false teachers will lure the Corinthian believers to leave the simple message of the Gospel for the strict rules of the Jewish nation? How will you be able to spot these false teachers? What about America—do we have false preachers who are abusing the Word of God?

When we are weak, He is strong: 11:22-30.

  • Read vv. 22-30. Why was Paul giving an exhausting list of what he had gone through for the sake of Christ? When you suffer, what happens in your spiritual life?
  • Read 2 Cor. 12:9-10. Why is Paul being sure we know God is to be our strength, and He can do His perfect will in any situation? If He takes ‘too long,’ what do we learn?

TAKE AWAYS:

Remember a weapon is only good if it’s close.

Remember a weapon is only good if you know how to use it.

Remember when you feel as if you can fight no longer, you have a defender who is right by your side.

Close: As you read the list of the sufferings of Paul, did you notice a few of them are not things we deal with here in America? We are no longer stoned, or beaten with forty stripes, and it’s not very often someone we know is shipwrecked. Many others in the list are definitely found near us: perils of robbers and false teachers. But some we experience almost every day: weariness, toil, sleeplessness, and the deep concern for a family member. These ‘normal’ situations make Paul easier to identify with. He suffered. But in all of that he boasted, because God was strong for Paul and brought him through the myriad of trials. He will get you through them as well. Don’t give up. Throw yourself on the mercy of Jesus Christ, knowing He will be with you every step of the way.

By Sandy Day
March 23, 2025

[i][i] Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries, The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1964, page 130.

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