The Power of Humility
When I was working in full-time ministry I developed a habit—any time I got a note or letter, I first looked at the bottom to see if it was signed. If not, I tossed it into the trash, unread. Some of the harshest, most brutal criticism I have ever received has come from men who claim to wear the name of Christ.
Paul’s Critics
I was reading in 2 Corinthians this week. The Sunday sermon had come from there, and something in Chapter Ten caught my eye because I had underlined it years ago. The apostle Paul was writing to a badly fragmented church,1 one that was being led down dangerous paths by heretics. These heretics were accusing Paul of being a different man in his writing than he was when seen face-to-face.2
I was once publicly insulted in the complete opposite direction. A woman speaking to other church ladies about me remarked, “Well, with Damon, what you see is pretty much what you get,” meaning and that ain’t much. I took her remark as a great compliment. I am the same person face to face as I am in these blog posts, or on the phone, or in a letter, or while having coffee with you.
We see a disturbing phenomenon on social media today. People say the most awful things while hiding behind Internet anonymity, things they would never say to someone’s face. This is what Paul was being accused of. We see this in the opening lines of Paul’s defence.
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 Corinthians 10:1, ESV
That last phrase from Paul is dripping with sarcasm as he quotes back to the Corinthians what some are saying about him. Paul responded that he did not want to be bold and harsh with them but assures them he will be quite bold with the heretics.
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.
– 2 Corinthians 10:2, ESV
Paul is pleading with the Corinthian church, Please don’t compel me to show you how bold I can be if I need to be. Remember, Paul’s focus when founding the church at Corinth was to exalt Christ, rather than himself.3 The heretics in Corinth appear to be self-exalting, much like we see in many “celebrity preachers” today.
Note that the one time, in scripture, when Jesus opened himself and described what is on the inside, he said, “for I am gentle, and lowly in heart.”4 Never confuse gentleness with weakness.
Where the Real Battle Is
I have a book on my shelves titled, Haven’t You Heard? There’s a War Going On! I love that title because it is true from both of its assertions. There is a war going on, and far too many fail to realize that. And many who do realize there is a war going on, think the war is something other than what it is. Look at this verse from Paul again.
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.
– 2 Corinthians 10:2, ESV
Note that last phrase, “some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.”
The Corinthian heretics think their battle is with Paul. Paul knows the battle is not fleshly but spiritual. Paul’s critics are judging Paul’s ministry by what they can see and touch, thereby completely missing where the true power lies. Just like today, so many believers are swayed and impressed by personalities, oratory, glitz, fanfare, endorsements, and the like. This is a spiritual war we are waging.
The Battlefield
In addition to not realizing a war is being waged, many fail to understand who the enemy in this is, where the battle is being waged, and where the power lies.
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.
– Ephesians 6:12, ESV
Paul understood where the battle is waged and where the power lies. The verse above is taken from the “armor of God” passage in Ephesians, a passage that opens by telling us to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.5 Not my might, or your might…his might. Nothing tangible can be used to wage this war. I heard it said once that you cannot fight a spiritual battle with carnal weapons.
The following is what was underlined in my Bible, the passage that caught my eye on Sunday morning.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
– 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, ESV
Feel the impact of that word, “destroy.” Destroy strongholds. Destroy arguments and lofty opinions. It’s the same term used to describe the dethroning of a king. He’s gone!
The term Paul used for “warfare” is στρατείας (strateias). You can almost see “strategy” in that. A better rendering, however, is expedition, or campaign. What I want you to see is that this is not discussing Battle A or Skirmish B. This is the entire conflict event from start to finish. It is a larger picture wherein the forces of evil in their entirety are locked in combat with the dominion of God.
The good news Jesus gave us, however, is that the gates of Hell will not prevail against the kingdom of God6 in this or any other campaign. You are a subject in that kingdom! Refuse to yield but do so with an attitude of humility. Pride goes before destruction!7
1. 1 Corinthians 1:11-13
2. 2 Corinthians 10:9-11
3. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
4. Matthew 11:29
5. Ephesians 6:10
6. Matthew 16:18
7. Proverbs 16:18
