FIGHTING THE RIGHT BATTLE (3 Part Series)

2 CORINTHIANS 10:1–6
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
There are battles that everybody can see, and there are battles that nobody can see. We can see conflict in a marriage. We can see problems at work. We can see disagreements in a church. We can see financial pressure. We can see tension between people.

But behind some of the battles that we can see, there is another battle taking place – a battle
involving truth, lies, attitudes, beliefs, thoughts and ultimately our obedience to Christ.

That is what Paul is dealing with in 2 Corinthians 10.

It seems that seems that some people were basically saying:
“Paul is very brave when he writes letters, but when he stands in front of us, he is not very
impressive.” Paul could easily have responded in anger, instead, he uses their criticism to teach us something
much bigger about how Christians should fight their battles. And as we go through these six verses, I want us to ask ourselves six questions.

1. VERSE 1 – HOW DO I RESPOND WHEN I HAVE THE POWER TO FIGHT BACK?

“I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ…”

Paul begins with two beautiful words: Meekness and gentleness.

His opponents looked at Paul’s behaviour and interpreted his gentleness as weakness.

Meekness here does not mean being soft or powerless. It carries the idea of humility and strength under control. Paul had authority, but he did not need to throw his weight around to prove that he had authority. He could remain calm even under pressure.

Sometimes we think strength means:
“I must show them who I am.” “I must have the last word.” “If they raise their voice, I will raise mine.”
“If they embarrass me, I will embarrass them.”

But Paul points us to Jesus.

Jesus had enormous authority, yet He was gentle.

He could confront people without losing control of Himself. He could speak truth without becoming sinful in the way He spoke it.

So the real question is:
How do I respond when I have the power to fight back? Do I immediately use that power? Or can I place my strength under the control of Christ?

APPLICATION
Maybe somebody insulted you.
Maybe somebody undermined you.
Maybe somebody said something unfair about you.
Maybe you have enough information to embarrass them.
Maybe you can send one WhatsApp message and damage their reputation.

The question is NOT only:
“Can I do it?”

The better question is:
“Would Jesus want me to do it?”

Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is control yourself.

REMEMBER:
Meekness is not weakness. It is strength surrendered to Christ.

2. VERSE 2 – WHAT IS DRIVING MY RESPONSE?

“I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness…”

Paul now addresses the accusation directly. Some people were accusing him of “walking according to the flesh.” They questioned his motives and perhaps believed that he was behaving like an ordinary worldly leader. Paul warns them that although he prefers to approach them gently, he can be bold when boldness is necessary.

It would appear that Paul’s critics had mistaken his Christlike gentleness for weakness. Paul therefore warns them not to push the situation to the point where stronger correction becomes necessary.

This teaches us that being a Christian does not mean we never confront anything.

Gentleness does not mean avoiding difficult conversations.

Sometimes love is gentle.
Sometimes love must also be firm.

The important question is:
What is driving my response?

Is it:
Anger?
Pride?
Embarrassment?
Revenge?
The need to prove myself?

Or is it:
Truth?
Love?
Wisdom?
Obedience to Christ?

APPLICATION
There is a big difference between being firm and being fleshly.

You can be completely correct about the issue and still be wrong in the way you respond.

Sometimes we ask:
“Am I right?”

But perhaps we should also ask:
“Even if I am right, am I responding like Christ?”

REMEMBER:
Being right does not give us permission to respond wrongly.

(To be continued).