Daily Manna

Key Verse

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).

TEXT — 2 Corinthians 10:3-9

Message

Paul was a citizen of Cilicia, a province of Rome and home to the notorious Cilician pirates. These bandits of the Mediterranean had built fortifications in Cilicia Trachaea a rugged, mountainous area in the west from where they controlled the entire maritime route from the Middle East all the way to Rome. At the height of their power, the pirates pillaged ships, took slaves from land harbours and spread hunger and terror throughout the region. When they launched a raid at Ostia, barely fifteen miles from Rome, causing the grip of famine to tighten on the famed seat of power, Rome had finally had enough. General Pompey was sent to dismantle the extensive pirate network. In 89 days, he routed the pirates by pulling down their strongholds and forcing them into open spaces where they could easily be defeated.

This was the true legend behind Paul’s illustration in today’s passage. We need to pull down the strongholds of Satan through the weapons of our warfare. Satan’s strongholds are his command-and-control centre from where he launches spiritual attacks and incursions into defenceless human lives. Lacking the grace and power of God, the natural man is but a mere pawn in the devil’s chess game.

Pulling down every stronghold is possible when we receive the power and authority that Christ gives after our repentance from sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation grants the believer access to the mighty weapons of righteousness, faith and prayer wielded from an impregnable fortress – the name of Jesus.

In the name of Jesus, begin to cast down every ideology, imagination or situation that opposes your knowledge of God as a good, gracious and benevolent One.

Thought for the day

Recognising your authority in Christ guarantees your victory.

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• NEHEMIAH 8-10 (Read By Alexander Scourby)