fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Post by fearnot on Mar 26, 2022 14:36:09 GMT -5
Continuing to work on this passage, which may take a couple of days.
Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—
I who am meek when face to face with you,
but bold toward you when absent!
2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some,
who regard 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 of the flesh,
but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly.
If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s,
let him consider this again within himself,
that just as he is Christ’s,
so also are we.
8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority,
which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you,
I will not be put to shame,
9 for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong,
but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”
11 Let such a person consider this,
that what we are in word by letters when absent,
such persons we are also in deed when present.
12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves;
but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves,
they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure,
but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure,
to reach even as far as you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you,
for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting beyond our measure,
that is, in other men’s labors,
but with the hope that as your faith grows,
we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you,
and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.
17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord.
18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved,
but he whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 10:1–18
I already mentioned that there is a soldier's mentality to this passage in scripture,
albeit a 'spiritual' soldier, fighting 'spiritual battles'.
And, I also mentioned that soldiers can be compassionate,
and mostly are.
They are not fighting just to be aggressive and brutal,
there are souls to be saved.
We see this demonstrated in the first verse:
Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—
I who am meek when face to face with you
He uses the word, 'urge', he does not say:
I am going to force you, by fearful aggressiveness,
and use the utmost of my authority.
( that kind of stern deadly force is only used,
as a last measure, to those who are steadfastly stubborn in their hostility).
Paul is not a vicious soldier full of rage, but comes begging,
with the 'meekness and gentleness of Christ', and with patience.
Realize Jesus was and is and ever will be God.
Jesus, as God had ( and has and evermore will have) unlimited power,
and yet, He came for the most part ( the first time), in gentleness.
Jesus should certainly be an example to us,
but Paul is showing how he wanted to imitate his Lord,
and so should we.
We need to be meek and humble also, as much as is possible.
But make no mistake, Christians are in a war.
We need to know how to be good, godly and effective soldiers,
against a never ending spiritual battle in this life.
Of course, the a problem is compassion, can be construed as weakness.
However, compassion is almost never weakness ( if it ever is).
So there can be a time for honest, and even strong, boldness.
I am thinking, this may be most important with ourselves,
as it is in dealing with other people.
Sometimes we have to fight boldly to the death,
especially with sinful thoughts.
So be it, people or thoughts,
sometimes we need boldness and courageous confidence:
2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some,
who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.
We have to be fearless soldiers when fighting spiritual battles.
Especially, fighting all manner of sinful, or prideful thoughts.
We want to have our minds set on the truth, on purity,
on honesty, on noble, lovely thoughts that give God all the glory.
Tomorrow I will start at verse 3
Done for today.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 28, 2022 11:14:21 GMT -5
Very good! I'm need to address your very last sentence first: Please do not continue going "verse by verse". I'll explain at the end but want you to see this so will post now and then edit my post and explain what I mean.
As you said, we are in a war 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, and so was Jesus and the apostles. There is never a time or a place where we can let down our guard, at least not until we get to heaven anyway. I would like to speak about what you said about Paul being meek and gentle. Paul lived his life the same way Jesus did. I think he did that better than anyone else ever has since. Both Jesus and Paul were meek, in that they never sought revenge or became angry or bitter about things people did or said to or about them personally. They did however, come across very strong and bold when someone said or did something against God or His Word.
For instance when Jesus cleared out the Temple, or when He told off the entire group of Pharisees, telling them what they were doing and thinking wrongly about His Father and how to serve Him, and how they would be judged by Him one day. Jesus spoke up quite boldly at those times, and even showed quite a lot of anger. But He wasn't bitter, nor did He allow the anger to control Him. He stayed in control of His thoughts and actions 100% of the time. (which is what He wants us to do too). Although He was angry, He wasn't looking to punish the people who had turned His Father's Temple into a Den of thieves. Instead, He used His anger to fix the problem - He ran all the sellers out of the Temple along with their animals and birds and money. If that had been one of us, we would have gone and grabbed the high priest (who controlled the "market" in the temple, and beat him up, if we were guys, or at least we would have told him off really good. That's using anger the wrong way though. Jesus and Paul used it the right way which is to try and find a solution to the problem. I don't have time to show examples of Paul coming across really strongly though.
Now, about your last sentence about continuing with the next verse. That's not what we need to do here. In fact, that's why we needed to do this section, remember? This is what I said before:
In other words, we need to NOT pick it apart, but look at it as a whole. I'm sorry I didn't realize what you were doing right away. I guess I'm so used to you doing this, that I just went along with it without thinking.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 29, 2022 5:08:47 GMT -5
Looking at this chapter, in a more overall picture:
Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—
I who am meek when face to face with you,
but bold toward you when absent!
2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some,
who regard 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 of the flesh,
but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly.
If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s,
let him consider this again within himself,
that just as he is Christ’s,
so also are we.
8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority,
which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you,
I will not be put to shame,
9 for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong,
but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”
11 Let such a person consider this,
that what we are in word by letters when absent,
such persons we are also in deed when present.
12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves;
but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves,
they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure,
but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure,
to reach even as far as you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you,
for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting beyond our measure,
that is, in other men’s labors,
but with the hope that as your faith grows,
we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you,
and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.
17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord.
18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved,
but he whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 10:1–18
I think one of the main points in this chapter, is how do we fight daily,
even hour by hour, sometimes minute by minute, the spiritual battles in our life?
As all sin starts in our minds, and if we do not kill such thoughts immediately,
sin will grow, and depress us, weaken us, etc.,
to the point,
we can often become so spiritually weaken,
we are essentially ineffective for our Lord.
The key to winning against sin is,
we have to take every sinful thought captive.
As in a physical war, we do not let the enemy soldiers remain free.....
If we let enemy soldiers in a physical war, stay free,
they will do their best, to wound or kill us.....
and so, we capture them and lock them up.
But in the spiritual battle of the mind,
thoughts are to be taken captive,
and even killed.
The spiritual war, is not something that can be won in a few months or years,
it is a life time war, and we can never let our guard down.
Paul clearly states this is not a war of the flesh, it is a spiritual war,
and so the weapons are not human weapons like guns, bombs, etc.
Human wisdom, reasoning, planning, psychology, 'science' ( like evolution) etc. etc.
Such weapons like these, cannot fight spiritual darkness.
Instead, we have to use God's weapons, plans, and God's truth etc.
in order, to destroy sin's fortresses.
And the enemy comes in the form of:
thoughts, opinions, philosophies, theories, religions, etc.
in addition, the enemy also comes in the form of:
prideful thoughts, sexual thoughts, revengeful thoughts,
greedy thoughts, etc. etc. etc.
Do not make the mistake of underestimating the strength of these fortresses of sin.
They are anti-God, and damning.
However, we don't just take sinful thoughts captive,
something must fill their empty place,
so we replace them with Scripture, and God's truth ...
to the obedience of Christ.
This is the only effective way to win sin's rebellion!
It is the way to punish disobedience in one's self,
( and even in others....
God's truth ( scriptures, the Bible)
is the way to win the war....especially in yourself.
And others also need to hear the truth ( spoken in love).
Another aspect of this Chapter is concerning false teachers,
and godly teachers.....how to tell them apart?
In some ways, I think trying to discern which is the godly man,
and which is the false teacher....
is a little like, determining which thoughts must be taken captive.
Sin can come and attack us, in our thoughts....
but sinful people ( especially false teachers),
can also attack in the physical world
( not by literally punching and the like)
but by false thoughts, doctrines, heresies, etc.
I am writing this late at night,
having another no sleep night.
I think I will stop at this point,
so as to,
wait and see,
if I am at all on the right track....
of what you had in mind?
Done for now.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 29, 2022 8:46:29 GMT -5
 I really enjoyed reading it!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 29, 2022 10:57:58 GMT -5
OH!
I wasn't expecting that LOL ...thank you
But..... I was able to pray before writing and posting,
so I think then,
that the Holy Spirit must have helped me a LOT!:)
And, as is seeming to be ( like I think I have said 10 times already ha ha...)the 'new normal'....
I did not sleep even one wink last night!
I did finally give up trying to go to sleep around 4 or 5,
and wrote that...
because, although tired,
I knew no sleep was going to happen any time soon.
I am not going to write any more just yet....maybe.....in a few hours,
I am still hoping for sleep!
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Post by Cindy on Mar 30, 2022 10:44:15 GMT -5
No problem hon. We're not in any hurry lol
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 31, 2022 12:57:26 GMT -5
Looking again at 2 Corinthians 10
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.
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.
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.
2 Corinthians 10:18
Noticing that this chapter talks about taking thoughts captive,
because in fact there is a spiritual war that goes on all our lives.
Much of the sin we have to fight is generated by ourselves, in our own mind.
However, we can also incorporate it from outside influences.
False teachers, religions, ideologies etc. abound.
The question is how can we discern the truth?
Especially from those 'teachers' who may even quote scripture,
but twist its truth.
One clue is does the teacher just look at worldly things
( how God wants you to be rich, healthy, popular, powerful, proud etc.)
They camp on the superficial, the flesh, and never dig deep into real truth.
What is their relationship them to Jesus?
is it instead, all about some surface fluff?
Or do the claim to have some 'secret knowledge',
some added knowledge,
from who knows where ( maybe an 'angel or perhaps its really a demon)?
Or do they say that Christ, has spoken solely to them...
and thus should be believed because..... they say so?
Do they demand a lot of money for themselves, so you can get 'special' blessings, like:
to cast out a demon, or to heal you of some sickness, or to tell you your future etc.?
Thus they 'commend themselves'.
Their whole ministry, is about them, and their powers.....
the Bible, the gospel, Jesus etc.
really have basically nothing to with,
their brand of teaching, ministering etc.
So just a person's 'say so'...
their own personal conviction,
that they are God's....
does not make it so.
There will be those at the judgement seat who will say:
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
and cast out demons in your name,
and do many mighty works in your name?’
23 And then will I declare to them,
‘I never knew you; depart from me,
you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:21-23
So claiming to be able to know and speak new prophesy,
or claiming to cast out demons,
or do any other mighty work,
(even using the name of Jesus),
does not necessarily mean you are a saved Christian,
never mind a teacher of the things of God.
Has God changed and transformed their lives?
Is Jesus the love of their lives?
Are they obedient to Him?
are they willing to die for Him?
We can tell a lot by their lives,
not their boasting.
How have they affect the people in the church....
For example:
have they lifted those in the church up,
so they are more compassionate
or are they more greedy, looking to be wealthy?
For speaking out arrogant words of vanity
they entice by fleshly desires
by sensuality,
those who barely escape from the ones who live in error
2 Peter 2:18
So prideful boasting is another clue, that a teacher might be a false teacher.
we are to:
examine everything carefully;
hold fast to that which is good;
1 Thessalonians 5:21
So I will try to do that again tomorrow,
or soon.
Done for today.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 1, 2022 11:39:55 GMT -5
Finishing up looking at 2 Corinthians 10
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.
Reality of Paul’s Authority
7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?
If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s,
let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s.
8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority,
which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction,
I shall not be ashamed—
9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters.
10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful,
but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”
11 Let such a person consider this,
that what we are in word by letters when we are absent,
such we will also be in deed when we are present.
Limits of Paul’s Authority
12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves.
But they, measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure,
but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—
a sphere which especially includes you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you),
for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting of things beyond measure,
that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope,
that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere,
16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.
17 But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
False teacher may have charisma, be charming, good looking, and be eloquent orators,
and a true pastor like Paul may present the true gospel, in a more simple, less flashy way.
In fact, Paul was being accused of not being good looking, and and not a good speaker:
" his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible"
Another factor is: if the pastor, teacher,
has the same life style and integrity, when away from the church,
or do they lead a kind of double life?
Paul makes the point he is the same with them as he is away from them.
And again, there is much pride in the false teachers/pastors,
and humbleness in the true.
The false commend themselves, as superior and boast,
they do this by making comparisons :
".....commend themselves.
But they, measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves among themselves"
The false teachers make themselves the standard of excellence,
which they declare others cannot meet.
A true pastor is faithful to the word of God....period!
Also the true teachers don't take credit for what they have not done:
"and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment."
But if boasting is to be done, we ought to boast in the Lord.
We should not commend ourselves, we can leave that up to God.
The true pastor ( and lay Christian) wants God's approval,
not man's).
We really have nothing to boast about concerning ourselves,
we are sinners saved by grace.
We are to keep our eyes stayed on Jesus.
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Apr 1, 2022 11:52:24 GMT -5
Very good! If I may add one other thing to check when discerning if someone is a false teacher, and that's to actually look up the scriptures they quote. I noticed in the apologetics forums that often the false teachers and cults would say something and then after their statement they would put their proof text in parentheses. Like they might say that God approved of homosexuality (Genesis 1:27) which obviously doesn't say that, but they're counting on the fact that most people won't look it up. They'll use scriptures that have absolutely nothing to do with what they're talking about, but because no one looks them up, and they just assume that because a person can put a scripture in parentheses that the person must be telling the truth. In the world it would compare to someone giving a con artist a lot of money because he told them they could buy stock in the London Bridge. 
One other thing that I've noticed is that people rarely check scriptures when listening to another person talk about God's Word, including pastors when they're giving the sermon. Sadly, very few people bring their Bible to church. No, I'm not accusing all pastors of being false teachers, or anyone else. I am saying however that we all make mistakes. I do, and so does my pastor and so do the pastors who write commentaries and books. We are all human and we all make mistakes. Those of us who are truly saved do our very best and ask the Lord for help so that we won't make mistakes when we're talking or writing about the Lord and/or His Word. But it does happen. When it does it doesn't mean that you jump up and accuse them. No, you wait and privately ask them what they meant about such and such a scripture and explain that you're confused because you thought the scripture says such and such. That way you give them a way to realize their mistake without shoving their face in it. Like God's Word says, you do it gently and humbly. That way you keep your brother or sister in the Lord from being humiliated and losing face; and if the person actually is a false teacher, you just may wind up leading them to a knowledge of the Truth!
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2–3)
“And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:24–26)
By the way, You don't need to keep quoting 2 Cor 10:1-18 on each post. You can just state that you're writing about 2 Cor 10:10-18. But although you don't have to post it, you can if you want to. But I would suggest just writing that you're talking about that section at the beginning of your post and then quote the whole thing at the end of your post. That way it won't make your post seem so long to the person reading it. (You know how most folks don't seem to be able to handle more then a few minutes of God's Word at a time)
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Post by Cindy on Apr 1, 2022 12:14:58 GMT -5
Again, what you wrote was really good. But now I'd like to especially look at the text again, but focusing on verses 12-18. I've posted the entire section as it is in the NIV, which I think will be easier to deal with. So, keeping it in context, but focusing on those last 6 verses,
1. What is Paul trying to tell us in the last 6 verses?
2. How can we apply all 18 verses to our life?
2. How can we apply the last 6 verses to our life?
“By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.
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. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man’s territory. But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (2 Corinthians 10:1–18)
You can read and copy the NIV84 version here: www.studylight.org/
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 4, 2022 16:32:12 GMT -5
Looking a little deeper into the last 6 verses of 2 Corinthians 10 (13-18)
The word boast or boasting is mentioned by Paul 7 times, in these last 6 verses.
Paul was completely reluctant to boast,
but was forced into it,
by false teachers hoping to destroy his character,
and thus destroy his ministry.
It's interesting, in a very sad way,
that today boasting is consider, almost high virtue...
and yet Paul,was uncomfortable with it and hated it.
In fact, I really think Paul was not so much boasting,
as giving the truth and facts,
which is what I think verse 13,
14, and 15 state.
It was very difficult for Paul, to boast,
and should be for Christians, as well.
We should be devoted to honest humility,
since pride is a sin.
We also want to, as much as possible, imitate our Lord,
who was meek and humble
( except when confronting false teachers,
but then,
He was and is God.)
In fact, a whole lot of boasting:
about 'self',
and one's own accomplishments,
and one's personal achievements,
(without giving God the credit)...
as a habit.....
would be another clue to a false teacher.
Believers don't want to be lifting themselves up,
but rather praise and boast about their Savior and God
13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits,
but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service
God himself has assigned to us,
a sphere that also includes you.
14 We are not going too far in our boasting,
as would be the case if we had not come to you,
for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ.
15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others.
Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,
our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand,
16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.
For we do not want to boast
about work already done in someone else’s territory.
17 But, “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.
2 Corinthians 10:12-18
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Apr 5, 2022 10:30:28 GMT -5
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 8, 2022 9:56:50 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy.....did I answer everything?
And/or should I go onto more about which thoughts to take captive etc.?
Or????? :)
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Post by Cindy on Apr 11, 2022 9:30:03 GMT -5
You did fine hon. Just continue on however you'd like to.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 11, 2022 10:42:23 GMT -5
Ok thank you...I guess I won't wait for Eva, as she has a lot going on right now, medically.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 11, 2022 14:16:27 GMT -5
All sin starts in the mind, and that is where the battle begins.
In order, to weaken and slay various sins,
we have to take thoughts captive,
and replace them with God's word: the Bible, (scriptures).
However, it is a battle, a war, and there is an enemy.
( a war that will not end,
until we as Christians die,
and go to be with the Lord).
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.
Your adversary, the devil,
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
So even if, we never thought of ourselves as 'soldiers',
that is what Christians are....soldiers of the cross.
Soldiers always have to be alert for danger from the enemy.
Yes, and the devil,
is certainly an enemy we have to be careful of!
But we have perhaps, in some ways, a worse enemy...
an enemy even closer and who lives with us,
the enemy within......
our own minds.
The ongoing battle is not easy,
and it can cause us suffering:
3 Suffer hardship with me,
as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:3
This leads us back to taking captives.
We have to take enemy thoughts captive,
which can be tiring us pain, and can even make us suffer.
Plus, we have to replace those evil, sinful, enemy thoughts of ours,
with God's word, memorized scriptures.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
Psalms 119:9
Oh, by the way, it's not just how can a young man, keep his way pure,
but also, a young woman, an old man or woman...
any Christian really.
Because....
either we take those thoughts captive,
or they are going to take us captive,
and that, will cause a Christian even worse pain!
One of my ( many) 'favorite verses,
show us how to have peace even tho
a war is continually going on:
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you
Isaiah 26:3
We keep our minds on our Lord,
and His Word.
That may seem truly impossible....
but as time goes by,
and we 'train' our minds,
we can get closer and closer to this goal.
I don't think many of us, realize just how often
we can pray in a given day.
Lord do you want me to do this?
say that ( or instead say this verse)?
or go here? etc.
Another thing, is to be counting our blessing,
things like:
the air we breath, the roof over our head,
food to eat, beautiful flowers, the sun,
the rain, family, friends, the Bible etc. etc.
Also:
Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2
and of course these:
Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
I think it can be true, (at least for some of us),
we may think we won a certain skirmish ....
only to have it come back, when we least expect it!
This can be so discouraging and tiring, and even sometimes depressing.
Yet, nevertheless, the battle, the fight, the race,
must go on!
It takes discipline....
Yikes, for some, that is not so hard or so bad
they may have already a lot of discipline in other areas of their life....
but others, the very word is scary!
Still, one step at a time!
24 Do you not know
that in a race all the runners run,
but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.
They do it to get a crown that will not last,
but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;
I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
27 No, I strike a blow to my body
and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others,
I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
And so,
we can also discipline our minds.
It is super hard work,
because, many of us,
have minds that are far superior in strength, than our will.
Our minds have been trained for years or decades,
to have its own way....
and it is going to fight tooth and nail to continue to do so.
But we have a ( not so ) secret weapon.....
the very God who created our minds,
His Word is stronger!
For the word of God is alive and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart
Hebrews 4:12
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Apr 12, 2022 10:18:20 GMT -5
Another good one!
No, you don't need to wait for Eva as she didn't ask for this study.... at least I don't think she did.
You know what tripped me up about taking our thoughts captive? When the Lord first showed it to me it was concerning my own thoughts and I immediately began obeying Him. What I didn't realize for quite awhile, (years in fact) was that He actually means every thought we allow into our minds and hearts, regardless of where it originates. In other words, we are to be very careful of what we listen to other people say (about anything), of what we watch on TV or the Movies, or YouTube (about anything) what we read, whether it's a newspaper, a book, or something online, or what we listen to, whether it's when we're chatting, listening to the radio, a sermon, or even music. God showed me in His Word that we're to be like "the watchman on the wall", watching for danger, and warning ourself (and others if needed) of danger and thereby preventing that danger from access to our mind and heart. Thinking of it that way can be overwhelming if you think that you have to deal with all of that on your own. Thankfully we don't though. The Lord always enables us to do whatever He commands us to do, so He will help us. What it does mean though is that we can't take a vacation and just let anything into our minds for that time. It's part of our relationship with God, which is a 24 hour, 7 day a week relationship. The wonderful thing is that the Lord is with us, dwelling within us even and He will also stand watch with us and help us take captive bad thoughts and replace them with His Truth.
I almost forgot to ask you if you've ever checked out the study on the famines in the Bible that I did? I may add more later... not sure yet.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 12, 2022 23:39:50 GMT -5
That was excellent Cindy. I so agree and I have often not been aware in the past, how other people ( be it movies, books, gossip etc.)
if I let in their ungodly thoughts, it can trigger those of my own I have been fighting or booting out.
I am so glad you reminded me again about that.
No i will go check out the famines tomorrow....I missed seeing them some how.
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Post by Cindy on Apr 13, 2022 10:55:01 GMT -5
I was just sharing what happened to me lol. But I'm glad you found it helpful.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 14, 2022 13:53:08 GMT -5
Here are some thoughts to not listen to:
(and if you have listen to some of these thoughts in the past,
or somehow could not avoid hearing them,
then you will need to take them captive)
1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith,
paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
2.....the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women...
1 Timothy 4:1,2 & 7
We have to discipline our minds to want ONLY the truth,
God's truth,
and to do everything to avoid putting falsehood in our thoughts and mind:
As a result, we are no longer to be children,
tossed here and there by waves
and carried about by every wind of doctrine,
by the trickery of men,
by craftiness in deceitful scheming
Ephesians 4:14
It seems to me, that
the whole world,
now, more than ever before,,
by deceitful scheming,
is determined to brainwash,
indoctrinate, force, seduce etc.
everyone to its 'worldly fables':
From evolution,
to the insane thinking that a man can be a woman etc etc.
climate change means humans are destroying the world,
or that only some lives matter,
or the demonic idea that everybody can be their own 'god'
etc., etc.
There is so much satanic doctrines,
errors,
foolishness,
fables,
schemes etc.
one can become discouraged,
and exhausted.
Christians, not only,
( as you pointed out)
have to fight our own sinful thoughts,
and take them captive....
But never in the history of man,
have people been endlessly bombarded
( via all manner of technology, like computers, smart phones, movies, video games etc.)
with other peoples sinful ideas, and demonic ones as well!
The ONLY way to deal with such massive onslaught,
is to take every one of those thoughts captive
and replace them with God's truth.
But alas, just when Christians need to be in the word,
more than ever before in history...
the devil has set the most complex traps ever seen
thru all the tech gadgets,
to keep people from the Bible, from God's absolute truth, and from God..
And many Christian churches are at their weakest!
Numerous Christian have also fallen for the terrible lie
that the 'science' god, has disproved major portions of the Bible...
this is an outright LIE!
a large number of professing Christians,
have been convicted that the Big Bang..... is fact
and the universe is billions of years old.
Another abhorrent lie!
Just one example:
the human body is complex beyond belief!
there is zero chance, it is the result of pond scum
mutating over billions of years!
Instead of that thought...this is absolutely
the absolute truth:
I will give thanks to You,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well
Psalm 139:14
I did not sleep a wink last night,
so my brain is barely working
therefore
Done for Today.
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Post by Cindy on Apr 18, 2022 9:18:11 GMT -5
 It does seem like it could have never been this bad before, yet the Lord says we're still not as bad as it was in Noah's time or Lot's. In Noah's time we're told, “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5) And in Lot's day, everyone was so evil that the entire town turned out wanting to rape the two angels! I sure hope we won't be here when it gets that bad though!
I've personally seen what happens to a person when they start accepting lies and turning away from God's truth. At first there's seemingly little change, but that's only because we can't see what's happening inside the person. Inside, the person's heart is getting harder and harder each time they accept a lie instead of the truth. After awhile others can start to see the changes, especially if the person goes to church regularly. The first thing I noticed is that the person seemed to get angry over things that normally wouldn't anger others. Then I noticed that they had gone back to their old habit of swearing. Little by little all the old bad habits came back. By then I'd heard them say they didn't believe in the Bible anymore, and that they weren't against abortion, and they were buying into all kinds of other lies as well. It was like every time they agreed with a lie about God or His Word, the more of the world's lies they began to believe as well. They even began to tell lies about other people. The end result was that their whole life was nothing but a lie, but sadly they didn't even know it.
Cindy
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 19, 2022 12:19:57 GMT -5
So true Cindy.
If God said it was worse in Noah's time, and He did,
then it must have been unimaginable...
since today, schools are deliberately indoctrinating children into all manner of hurtful ideas, philosophies, practices, ideologies, lifestyles, etc. etc.
Not just schools but all sorts of entertainment ( movies, music, video games,
etc.
The family, government, police, schools, even medicine etc. is being turned upside down and to evil.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 19, 2022 12:56:54 GMT -5
At first, some might think, it's not such a big deal,
if a wayward thought flits across someone's mind....
after all, it's just a 'little' thing.
Scripture, however, tells us that something very little
can grow into a formidable enemy!
( or like God's Word, and faith, which can grow
into something incredibly wonderful!
Well leaven in the Bible is usually not used for symbolizing good,
I just mean starting out with some good, like memorizing scripture
can grow into great beauty)
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Galatians 5:9
So many little thoughts, that can grow if not taken captive
A 'little' lustful thought about the sexy co-worker,
can lead to adultery
A little moment of greed, can lead to fraud,
a little mean spirited thought, can lead to the habit
of malicious gossip
a little envious thought can lead to hate
A little self-centeredness,
can lead to an ugly person with no compassion
A little hurt, can lead to full blown victim-hood lifestyle.
Etc. etc. etc.
and on it goes.
If these and many many other sinful thoughts
are not stopped in their tracks,
you can be sure, sin always grows and grows and grows!
What seemingly may start of as a 'little' grass shack
( thought wise)
will soon become a massive fortress having thick stone walls,
huge towers, and iron gates in your mind.
and so then:
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh,
but divinely powerful
for the destruction of fortresses
2 Corinthians 10:4
So truly God can help us against these massive fortresses of the enemy
but it would be much easier,
to tear down the little grass shack!
( so to speak :)
Arrrgghhh time got away from me
and Leonard and I have to go do some chores
Sorry this is sooooo short
and so
done for today
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Post by Cindy on Apr 20, 2022 9:42:15 GMT -5
 Short or not, it was very good!
You know, I've been taking my thoughts captive for 25 years now, so for a long time it's been automatic. I don't really even have to think about it, I just do it. That's both good and bad, as the Lord showed me. There's nothing wrong with it becoming the normal thing to do, and so becoming quick and easy, but there is a problem if we aren't thinking about what we're doing. Over and over, from Genesis to Revelation, the Lord tells us to be alert and self controlled, and to take charge of our thoughts and emotions. We are never told to "relax" or to make our minds blank or to empty our minds. Those things give Satan a foothold and that's not a good thing! It's like a sign I made when my children were quite young hoping they'd learn how to do this. The sign said, "Control your thoughts and emotions, don't let them control you!" I didn't realize at the time but that's exactly what God's Word tells us to do! So now I pay a lot more attention to my thoughts! I want to give my new nature all godly thoughts to grow on, and not the world's thoughts.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 20, 2022 10:56:02 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy. :)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
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Post by fearnot on Apr 21, 2022 13:23:18 GMT -5
Here is one kind of example of one type of thought that needs to quickly be taken captive:
a married man, is assigned a new young beautiful woman
as a secretary, or co-worker in some capacity.
He notices she has a gorgeous beautiful face.
Anybody could notice that certain women are very pretty,
or even that a man is very handsome,
but the problem is,
it often does not stop there.
Seldom is this verse, the first thing that comes to mind
when noticing the 'physical' beauty of another person:
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
Psalm 119:9
It is not just young men that need to be concerned about keeping their way pure,
young women also, and, even older men, or old men and women need to keep such thoughts captive.
If in noticing a beautiful woman, the man does not immediately start to take his thoughts captive,
the next step is most likely, for him to notice,
the woman also has a beautiful....and very sexy body!
And alas, then comes his lustful imagination, fantasies, etc.
And that, is already adultery, in his heart!
Jesus, our Lord said this:
but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman
with lust for her
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:28
I think many people might say to themselves,
that as long as they keep such thoughts
in their mind, no harm is done.
But that is a lie!
A married person with these thoughts
is 'cheating, in their mind', on their spouse.
They are not giving their full attention to the one they promised to love with all their heart.
But also, these lustful fantasies,
often do not stay in the mind only,
rather, these sexual thoughts, slowly begin to pour out into reality...
a touch that lingers a bit too long,
a little flirting,
more hugs that last longer and longer, etc.
and well....
Sex misused does not ends well!
Perhaps, eventually, some of the damage done, can begin to heal,
in time.
But lust is not love, and it can hurt people,
it can be dangerous, and even deadly.
Lust is not pure
it is not lovely
it is not honorable
it is not right etc.
Sexual fantasies do not fit the requirements of what God says Christians are to think on:
Finally, brethren,
whatever is true,
whatever is honorable,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence
and if anything worthy of praise,
dwell on these things
Philippians 4:8
or
Let us behave properly as in the day,
not in carousing and drunkenness,
not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality,
not in strife and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Romans 13:13,14
Lust and porn usually go together,
so Christians need to disciple their imaginations
and, they need to make a covenant with their eyes
to not look long on those things, that are not with honor.
( eyes and thoughts can work in tandem).
From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
their evil imaginations have no limits.
Psalm 73:7
porn is worthless
( and even worse than that it is degrading, hateful etc.):
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes....
Psalms 101:3 NASB version
The NIV version puts it this way
I will not look with approval
on anything that is vile.
I hate what faithless people do;
I will have no part in it.
All day long I have held out my hands
to an obstinate people,
who walk in ways not good,
pursuing their own imaginations—
And so, not only do we need to get out thoughts
out of the gutter, and take them captive,
and replace them with things God approves of us think about....
We also need to do this:
I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look lustfully at a young woman.
Job 31:1
Another thing, is prayer,
Christians have to be deeply, and often in prayer
considering lustful thoughts, imaginations, and fantasies.
If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Apr 22, 2022 10:03:10 GMT -5
Excellent Barbara! Thank you!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 22, 2022 18:05:29 GMT -5
Thank you
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Post by Cindy on Apr 25, 2022 11:28:00 GMT -5
Are you done on this one, or do you just not want to do the studies anymore? It's fine if you don't want to. As long as you do them every day on your own there's no need to do them, other then to share what you've learned with others. But that's between you and the Lord. I'll sure miss you, but regardless of that, you need to do what the Lord wants you to, not just because I enjoy it when you do.  I hope you're doing well.
  
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 25, 2022 23:27:30 GMT -5
No I still want to do them....but between ( like today...I sleep almost all day)
and all sorts of things going on here the past week:
Like two neighbors being unresponsive ( one is still unresponsive in hospital)
Hossanah's cat....having so far only one kitten....we worked on it for 45 minutes but it died anyway etc. etc.
Just been a very very odd week
I manage to do my Bible reading each day....but usually then I do a Bible study here....
but recently like today...I was probably awake for maybe 2 hours during the day ( but not all at once).
But if you think maybe I should quit here, I can do that.
I keep hoping maybe if spring ever arrives here this year, I 'might'?
be more awake?
I could do more on this, but maybe a different topic?
And now I am ready to go to sleep again sigh!
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It does seem like it could have never been this bad before, yet the Lord says we're still not as bad as it was in Noah's time or Lot's. In Noah's time we're told, “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5) And in Lot's day, everyone was so evil that the entire town turned out wanting to rape the two angels! I sure hope we won't be here when it gets that bad though!
I hope you're doing well. 
!!
