Thoughts on Today's Verse...
The apostle Paul knew he was in a war against spiritual forces opposed to God (Ephesians 6:10-12) and the false teachers under their influence. While these forces and influences may have a great deal of impact on the world at large, Paul determined he would do all he could, empowered by the Spirit, to keep Satan's deceptions from ruling in God's churches. He was committed to truth in an age obsessed with many different gods, beliefs, and choices. Can we be any less vigilant in our day? Can we be any less committed to the truth in our culture so obsessed with many of the same ideas Paul confronted? Of course not! We must demolish every argument "and pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God"!
My Prayer...
O, holy God, please forgive our lack of spiritual vigilance and cowardice in the marketplace of ideas. Stir us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love. Convict us of our need to confront detrimental and hostile ideas to faith, righteousness, and truth with sound and godly wisdom. We want to do this forcefully, clearly, and honorably. Stir our hearts as we seek to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."Arouse us to be your holy and committed people, we pray, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
