Endorsed from Above

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 1 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!— 2 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. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare

There is an invisible warfare happening behind what our natural eyes can see — a battle to conquer minds by deceiving opinions and doubts. And because it is spiritual, there is no conversation or talk that has the power to overcome those sudden destructive and deceptive opinions.

Have you ever found yourself wrestling with ideas or attitudes that seem bigger than your own willpower to change?

Just as you cannot fight a virus with a sword, you cannot dismantle a demonic attack with mere human debate; it requires the truth of God’s Word empowered by the Spirit.

Sometimes, these deceiving thoughts are opinions about the very person God placed in your life to bless and protect you. The devil wants to convince you to be alone. And there he can easily lie, steal and destroy.

Why do some struggles in life feel deeper than mere personality clashes or human misunderstanding?

Suppose you try to chop down a massive oak tree with a pocketknife. I guarantee that you will barely scratch the bark. But with a chainsaw, in minutes, the tree falls. 

As a pastor, husband, and father, I always ask for God’s wisdom because my cleverness is like a pocketknife in spiritual warfare for our church, my marriage and family.

What to do then? Armor yourself with the right weapons.

Ephesians 6:11-17 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Could it be that the real battle is not against people at all, but against beliefs, values, and spiritual forces behind them?

A firefighter doesn’t use a garden hose to stop a forest wildfire; they use high-pressure hoses, flame-retardant gear, and the right weapons. In spiritual battles, our human strategies are as useless as a garden hose against the flaming darts of the devil. God’s Word, prayer, and the Spirit’s power are the only effective tools.

If the nature of the war is spiritual, then the weapons must also be spiritual. Our aim must be the destruction of falsehood and disobedience, not to shame and destroy our brother or sister.

Every rebellious thought is like a rebellious captive enemy. Then, we must disarm them and bring them under Christ’s command, ensuring no “roaming insurgents” in the mind.

Allow the Holy Spirit to show you one belief, habit, or opinion in your life that resists God’s truth, and bring it before Christ in repentance and surrender this week.

Will you allow your own thoughts to be taken captive by Christ?

I am thinking of you, but I am also thinking of your part in the body of Christ. It is the beginning of the Lifegroup season—a season of evangelism and growth. I know many of you are being under attack. Wondering if you will be able to lead again. 

A single soldier who refuses to follow the commander’s orders endangers the entire unit.

Today, choose to take your place in the spiritual battle God has called us to and empowered us to win.

The right timing

A crucial element of effective warfare is timing. Without knowing when to defend and when to attack, a war can last longer than necessary.

The problem, however, is that most of us do not respect the timing. Some are so slow to confront the real issue, and others are in haste to demand the right answers from others. The result is more hurt than solution.

A surgeon waits until the patient is stable before removing a dangerous tumor — ensuring the procedure will help rather than harm. Paul waits until the church’s obedience is established before confronting the remaining disobedience, so that discipline strengthens the body rather than dividing it.

However, the longer a thought, habit, or ideology remains unchallenged by the Scripture, the deeper its roots grow.

In the ancient world, a stronghold was a heavily fortified tower or city, often built into high cliffs, designed to be impenetrable. Without the right weapons, it was impossible to break in. False ideas and rebellious attitudes can be like mental fortresses — defended by pride, tradition, or deceit. Only God’s truth can tear them down.

A couple of weeks ago, a sister approached me feeling very confused after being overwhelmed by a series of YouTube recommended videos that challenged her faith by comparing it with other false religions. The videos raised questions about the church, its history, and the atrocities committed during the medieval period. Her state of confusion seemed unresolvable unless she dared to compare her thoughts and opinions with what the Word of the Lord says. I suggested she read Romans, especially Romans chapter 12.

Romans 12:1-2 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The trap of Comparison

Could it be that comparison is not just an innocent habit, but a spiritual battle in disguise? When was the last time you caught yourself thinking, “I wish I were more like them”? How do you usually feel after you’ve spent time comparing yourself to someone else?

2 Corinthians 10:7-12 7 Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. 9 I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

The Corinthians were falling into lies and the devil’s snares because they judged by external appearances. They foolishly engaged in comparing, boasting, and self-praise. 

NIV 2 Corinthians 10:12 12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

Isn’t this the very reality of gossip magazines and the new social media celebrities? 

May our ground of boasting and pride be based on Christ’s ownership and authority. Let’s stand on how much God is using us to build others up.

Here is a key.

Usually, the devil’s approach involves asking a question, while God’s truth comes with an affirmation.

From the very beginning, the devil’s primary weapon has been the question mark. In Genesis 3:1, the serpent doesn’t launch a direct assault on God’s character — he plants doubt with a question: “Did God actually say…?” “Did He really?” or “Are you sure?” When we are framed in doubt, it undermines faith and invites second-guessing.

Genesis 3:1 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

In contrast, Jesus speaks with affirmation and certainty. Over and over in the Gospels, He uses the phrase “Truly, truly, I say to you…” 

John 5:24 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

I am not saying that God may not ask us questions, but they lead to truth, freedom, and life. In contrast, the devil’s questions lead to confusion and condemnation.

Application

In a marriage disagreement, speak from your own feelings and interpretations — not as an accuser. Avoid sarcasm or mockery, doubting, or offensive questioning about your spouse’s behavior or motives.

Ephesians 4:29 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

The husband comes home late from work, leaving the wife feeling hurt and overlooked.

Wife: “So, were you out having such a great time at work that you forgot you have a family?”

Husband: “Oh, here we go again — you always think the worst of me.”

Wife: “Well, if you actually cared, you’d make it home on time once in a while.”

Husband: “Why do I even bother working hard for this family if this is what I get when I walk in the door?”

Instead of: “Why do you always…?”

Say: “When this happened, I felt…”

Instead of: “You don’t care about me.”

Say: “I interpreted your actions as…”

Instead of: “You never think about me.”

Say: “I felt overlooked when…”

Instead of sarcasm: Ask a sincere, open-ended question: “Can you help me understand what happened?”

Wife: “When you came home later than you said, I felt hurt and unimportant. I interpreted it as you not wanting to be here with me. Can you help me understand what happened?”

Husband: “I hear you. I didn’t realize how my delay would make you feel. I got caught in an unexpected meeting, but I should have called. I’m sorry.”

Wife: “Thank you for telling me. It helps me to know it wasn’t about you not wanting to be here.”

Attacking your sense of worth is one of the enemy’s most effective strategies to rob you of joy, peace, and purpose. The most effective way of doing that is by using the person we love the most. 

Endorsed by God's Love and calling

2 Corinthians 10:13-18 13 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence. 17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Paul hopes that the Corinthians would grow in a deep, anchored faith. Faith in what? In the God who has already loved them, called them, already equipped them, and already put His seal of approval on them.

If that faith is shaky, the enemy will use every whisper of doubt to wear you down. He will magnify the comparisons. He will replay your failures on a loop. And if your worth is tied to what people think or to how you measure up beside someone else, you’re leaving the door wide open for him to walk right in.

You are endorsed from above — that the Lord Himself commends you in Christ. God loves you no matter who you are. 

Romans 5:11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Because of His love, the devil cannot steal your identity. You’ll stop chasing applause and start resting in God’s approval. You’ll stop comparing and start rejoicing.

God’s endorsement is enough; no enemy attack can take you down.

We crave validation, but only God’s approval satisfies.

Back in 2016, during the Rio Olympic Games, Brazilian authorities uncovered a counterfeiting operation producing Olympic gold medals. They looked nearly identical to the real thing — the same shape, the same shine, even similar weight. Tourists were buying them as souvenirs, and at a glance, you could easily mistake them for the real deal. But here’s the difference: no athlete had stood on a podium to receive them. No event had been won. No judge had placed them around a victor’s neck. They had no history, no earned achievement, no official seal. They were worthless trinkets, however convincing they appeared.

The real gold is when your heavenly Father says, You are my beloved son. You are my beloved daughter, no matter what.

You can hang a self-made medal around your neck — maybe it’s built on human applause, social media likes, or your own sense of accomplishment — but if it hasn’t been awarded by the only one who matters, it carries no eternal value.

The real gold is when the final Judge says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And no counterfeit approval, no matter how shiny, can replace that.