NOT WARRING ACCORDING TO THE FLESH

NOT WARRING ACCORDING TO THE FLESH

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 10:3

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:3 — “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.”

Supporting Texts: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18; Galatians 5:16-17; Romans 8:5-8; James 4:7; Zechariah 4:6; Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:17-21

Description: Not warring according to the flesh means refusing to fight spiritual battles through anger, revenge, manipulation, hatred, or human strength, and instead depending on God's power and spiritual weapons.

INTRODUCTION

Every believer lives in the natural world, but the Christian life also involves spiritual warfare. Paul acknowledged that believers “walk in the flesh”, meaning they live in physical bodies and face ordinary human circumstances, yet he clearly stated that they do not “war after the flesh”. This distinction is essential for anyone who desires to overcome spiritual opposition.

Many battles become worse when people respond to spiritual or relational challenges with fleshly methods. Anger, revenge, insults, hatred, manipulation, bitterness, intimidation, and human strength may appear powerful, but they cannot accomplish God's purposes. The believer must learn to distinguish between living in the flesh and fighting according to the flesh.

God has provided a better way. Through prayer, God's Word, faith, love, wisdom, righteousness, the Holy Spirit, and spiritual authority in Christ, believers can face opposition without becoming controlled by the same spirit they are resisting. Spiritual warfare requires spiritual weapons and a heart submitted to God.

1. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WALKING IN THE FLESH AND WARRING AFTER THE FLESH

Paul's statement does not mean that believers cease to live physically in this world. Rather, it means that our battles must not be fought according to worldly and sinful methods.

a. We Live In The Natural World (2 Corinthians 10:3) — Believers have physical bodies and face real circumstances, people, responsibilities, and challenges.

b. Our Warfare Is Spiritual (Ephesians 6:12) — The ultimate battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of wickedness.

c. The Flesh And Spirit Oppose Each Other (Galatians 5:17) — There is an ongoing conflict between the desires of the flesh and the desires produced by the Spirit.

d. We Must Be Led By The Spirit (Galatians 5:16) — Walking in the Spirit enables believers to avoid being controlled by the desires of the flesh.

Biblical Example: When the disciples wanted to call down fire upon the Samaritans who rejected Jesus, He rebuked them. Their response was not consistent with the spirit of Christ (Luke 9:51-56).

2. REFUSE TO FIGHT WITH ANGER AND REVENGE

Fleshly warfare often expresses itself through retaliation. But Christ calls believers to respond differently, even when they are mistreated.

a. Do Not Repay Evil For Evil (Romans 12:17) — Believers must refuse to return wrongdoing with wrongdoing.

b. Leave Vengeance To God (Romans 12:19) — God is the righteous Judge, so personal revenge must not control the believer.

c. Bless Those Who Persecute You (Romans 12:14) — Christian victory is demonstrated by responding to hostility with blessing rather than hatred.

d. Love Your Enemies (Matthew 5:44) — Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them.

Biblical Example: David had an opportunity to kill Saul, who was pursuing him unjustly, but David refused to take personal vengeance and left judgment in God's hands (1 Samuel 24:4-7, 10-12).

3. DEPEND ON GOD'S POWER INSTEAD OF HUMAN STRENGTH

Spiritual battles cannot be won by human ability alone. God's power must be the believer's source of strength.

a. Victory Is By God's Spirit (Zechariah 4:6) — God's purposes are accomplished not by human might but by His Spirit.

b. Be Strong In The Lord (Ephesians 6:10) — Believers are instructed to draw their strength from God's power.

c. God's Strength Is Perfect In Weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) — Human weakness becomes an opportunity to experience the sufficiency of God's grace.

d. Trust God Rather Than Human Power (Psalm 20:7) — God's people should place their confidence in the Lord rather than in human resources.

Biblical Example: Jehoshaphat faced an army much larger than Judah's strength could handle, but he sought God and experienced supernatural victory (2 Chronicles 20:12-22).

4. USE SPIRITUAL WEAPONS

Because our warfare is spiritual, God has provided spiritual weapons that are powerful enough to confront the enemy and destroy strongholds.

a. Use The Word Of God (Ephesians 6:17) — Scripture is the sword of the Spirit and gives believers truth with which to confront deception.

b. Use Prayer (Ephesians 6:18) — Persistent prayer keeps believers connected to God's power and spiritually alert.

c. Use Faith (Ephesians 6:16) — Faith acts as a shield against the fiery darts of the wicked one.

d. Use Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14) — A life of righteousness strengthens spiritual stability and guards the believer's walk with God.

Biblical Example: Jesus resisted Satan's temptations by using the Word of God rather than human arguments or physical force (Matthew 4:1-11).

5. CONTROL THE FLESH THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT

A believer cannot effectively fight spiritual battles while continually surrendering to fleshly desires. The Holy Spirit enables us to overcome the impulses that can lead to sinful responses.

a. Walk In The Spirit (Galatians 5:16) — Walking by the Spirit enables believers to overcome the desires of the flesh.

b. Crucify Fleshly Desires (Galatians 5:24) — Those who belong to Christ must refuse to allow sinful desires to control their lives.

c. Set Your Mind On The Spirit (Romans 8:5-6) — Spirit-controlled thinking produces life and peace.

d. Put Off The Works Of The Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) — Believers must reject behaviours that contradict the character of Christ.

Biblical Example: Joseph refused to yield to sexual temptation because he understood that sin would ultimately be an offence against God (Genesis 39:7-12).

6. OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD

One of the clearest demonstrations of spiritual victory is the ability to respond to evil without becoming evil ourselves.

a. Do Good To Your Enemies (Romans 12:20) — Scripture teaches believers to respond to an enemy's need with practical kindness.

b. Overcome Evil With Good (Romans 12:21) — The believer must not allow another person's wrongdoing to dictate his own behaviour.

c. Speak Words That Build (Ephesians 4:29) — Our speech should minister grace rather than increase conflict.

d. Pursue Peace (Romans 12:18) — Believers should pursue peace wherever it is possible and appropriate.

Biblical Example: Stephen prayed for the forgiveness of those who were stoning him. His response demonstrated the power of Christ's love over the instinct for revenge (Acts 7:54-60).

7. LET CHRIST CONTROL YOUR RESPONSE TO OPPOSITION

Spiritual warfare is not only about what we fight against; it is also about who controls our response. Christ must remain Lord even when we are under pressure.

a. Follow Christ's Example (1 Peter 2:21-23) — Jesus suffered unjustly without responding with threats or personal revenge.

b. Keep A Gentle Spirit (Proverbs 15:1) — A soft answer can turn away wrath, while harsh words can intensify conflict.

c. Speak The Truth In Love (Ephesians 4:15) — Truth must be communicated with love and wisdom rather than hostility.

d. Commit Your Situation To God (1 Peter 5:7) — Believers can cast their cares upon God because He cares for them.

Biblical Example: Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, yet they responded by praying and singing praises rather than responding with bitterness or retaliation (Acts 16:22-26).

CONCLUSION

We live in a world where conflict is unavoidable, but believers must learn not to fight according to the flesh. Human anger, revenge, hatred, manipulation, and intimidation cannot accomplish the righteousness of God. Our battle requires spiritual weapons and dependence upon divine power.

When you are attacked, criticised, rejected, opposed, or misunderstood, do not allow the flesh to take control. Pray, stand on God's Word, walk in the Spirit, exercise faith, pursue peace, and leave vengeance to God. When you refuse to war according to the flesh, you demonstrate the character of Christ and allow God's power to work through your life.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, deliver me from every fleshly response that can hinder Your purpose in my life, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me not to respond to evil with anger, hatred, or revenge, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me grace to depend upon Your power rather than human strength, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me to walk continually in the Spirit, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me wisdom to use spiritual weapons in every battle I face, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to forgive those who have offended me and release every desire for revenge, in Jesus name.

7. Father, give me grace to overcome evil with good and respond to opposition with the character of Christ, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let Your peace control my heart whenever I face conflict or opposition, in Jesus name.

9. Father, fight every spiritual battle that is beyond my human ability and give me victory, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, make my life an example of spiritual strength, wisdom, love, and victory, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall not be controlled by anger, revenge, hatred, or bitterness.

2. The Holy Spirit shall strengthen you to overcome every desire of the flesh.

3. You shall receive divine wisdom to handle every conflict according to God's will.

4. Every battle beyond your human ability shall be taken over by the power of God.

5. You shall not repay evil with evil, but you shall overcome evil with good.

6. The peace of Christ shall rule your heart in every difficult situation.

7. Every spiritual attack against your life shall be confronted by the power of God.

8. You shall receive grace to forgive, love, pray, and remain faithful even when you are opposed.

9. Your words, actions, and responses shall increasingly reflect the character of Christ.

10. From this day forward, you shall not war according to the flesh, but you shall walk in the Spirit and live in the victory of Christ.