2 Corinthians 10:3-5 versus so-called "legalism"
In my Bible reading this morning, I read this passage and have been meditating much on it this morning:
2 Cor. 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
This passage points to what I believe is a great problem in the lives of many believers today—faulty notions about so-called “legalism” that have led many believers astray so that they devalue the importance of their obeying the commands of God.
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Modifying one word in 2 Cor. 10:5 plainly reveals just how important obedience is in what the Spirit said.
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
5[MODIFIED] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the [love] of Christ;
Comparing what the Spirit did say with what He could have said (the modified version of 10:5) but didn’t say underscores that this passage stresses obedience and not love. It is not “legalism” in any sense to stress the importance of our obeying the commands of God.
Discussion