Passage Read: 2 Corinthians 10-11
Meditation Verses: 10:4-6
Thought
Paul doesn't list the weapons or explain what they are, but only describes their power and effectiveness. They are spiritual weapons rather than physical weapons, clearly. He doesn't whip people or beat them. But he speaks truth to them and explains God's commands, purposes and ways to them. He rebukes them and calls the church to cut off fellowship from the unrepentant. They are weapons of words, but not merely words, there is a Spirit and power behind them. Yet not everyone receives them or is changed by them. Even here Paul admits he is hindered in their discipline by their incomplete obedience. He explains God's truth, but the Spirit must do a work in hearts for men to receive the truths of the Lord. That's the real power of his words; that's the real weapon he uses to fight. Because his words express truth given by God, God works with him to convert those whom He chooses. The rest are in danger; the rest must be revealed as unrepentant and removed from the fellowship. Those who repent will be saved and welcomed back into fellowship; those who don't will be lost eternally.
Application
I have access to the same power, if I will faithfully proclaim the truth of God. I don't need to wait for some mystical revelation, because I already have the Word of God transcribed for me. All I need to do is faithful repeat and obey the record and instruction of the Bible. These words have power because they are from the Spirit and He will affirm them and act according to them and punish those whom He loves when they disobey. But there are many who will not be instructed by these words, who will not receive them and submit to them, and the church has spiritual authority to hand them over to Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme the Lord--or else remain forever cut off. That's the real power we have as believers. We do speak wisdom, we do speak sense, but only those whom God has chosen can hear and receive it. Some require strong discipline to receive God's correction, but not all will believe. God's Word sifts and sorts people by their response to it.