Friday, May 8, 2009

The Mean Dog

II Corinthians 10:1-11

When I was in high school, one of our neighbors had a Siberian husky called Dino. I’m not sure if Dino knew who he belonged to since he spent almost as much time at our house as at theirs. A family up the street had a big black dog that was pretty mean. Most of the kids were scared of him and he had tried biting several.

One day, my little brother and a friend of his were riding their bikes up the street. My Dad happened to walk out just in time to see the black dog make a run at them, scaring both boys. Dino had followed them up the street, but was unseen by the black dog until just before he got to the boys. When he saw Dino, he froze.

When Dino took a couple of steps toward him, although he was larger, the Black dog began to back away. As Dad described it, Dino would take a few steps and the black dog would back up further, until finally the big dog was in his dog house. Dino just stood in the center of the yard until the boys were safely away, then turned and trotted after them. On their return, the big dog again retreated into his doghouse.

Like most bullies, the black dog depended on intimidation. When some one stood up to him, he was afraid to push the issue. There are those who do the same things in churches. They begin to try to make the people do what they want. There are others who want to do as they please with no regard for others. An unspiritual church may allow them to gain power. There were some in the church at Corinth with a similar attitude.

“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.” (II Corinthians 10:1-2)

While confrontation is not desirable, sin cannot be ignored, and that self willed and controlling attitude is sinful. It depends on intimidating others. As he had warned them in I Corinthians 4. They were depending on Paul not coming to get their way. “Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” (I Corinthians 4:18-20) We are in a spiritual battle, and it cannot be won by carnal effort and weapons.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (II Corinthians 10:3-6)

Just as a person who insisted on using only with sticks and stones would be a poor choice for leading an effort to defend against a tank or aircraft attack, a person with no spiritual weapons is not qualified to lead in the spiritual warfare. It will be necessary to replace that person to gain victory. We are not struggling against other people, but much greater powers. We need proper weapons and training to defend against their powers.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)


The carnal man thinks in terms of the outer appearance, and may not see the spiritual side at all. He will approach the spiritual battle seeing only the outer problems. He may be a Christian. But needs to realize he is not the only one, and recognize that another may have spiritual authority he doesn’t have. Those with real spiritual authority do not flaunt it. That does not mean it is not there.

“Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.” (II Corinthians 10:7-11)

A spiritual person has power that can be accessed when needed. The person who is sure of his strength does not have to show off. The one who must prove his strength or his power is like a boy fighting others to find out how strong he is.

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