Strength in Control

2 Corinthians 10:1-6   
1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 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, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

We are also called to be gentle and hold strength in control (meekness) in ministering to each other, yet there are times for boldness to stand in truth and address with exhortation and correction to deal with sin or false teachings.  To do this, we must keep in step with God’s Spirit in us, not thinking or working in our own corrupt nature.  As men, we cannot afford to wage war against the enemy with hate or self-seeking or pride or anger.  Instead we follow the guidance here to use God’s absolutely powerful and effective word as we are led by His Spirit to break down the walls of the enemy to set men free.  All that is set against God and His word that keeps others from knowing Him and the gospel needs to be defeated to bow to His sovereign grace in Christ alone.  To work God’s work is to believe in Christ alone for reconciliation and righteousness.  This is what we fight for.