Several defectors from North Korea have reported that Kim Jong-un and his regime are more afraid of Christians than a nuclear attack. This begs the question, “Why?” If it’s just another religion, as some assert, why fear it? Others argue that Christianity is worthless and irrelevant to contemporary culture. Secular humanist contend the Bible has been disproven by scientific theories and is therefore a useless document. So, why have fifty-two countries around the world banned this worthless, irrelevant, and useless document?
Before focusing on the ‘why’ and what it means to us, we must review the big picture. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12 NIV). What appears as conflicts between humans is actually Satan operating through men and women in various situations to carry out his work. Evil tyrants as well as sinful humans are merely instruments being controlled by the devil. Attacking people through methods of the flesh as name calling, insults, unfounded accusations, gossip, or even physical weapons accomplishes nothing. This only assaults the flesh and not the ultimate source. Even if you destroy a person, Satan will only get someone else. For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards (2 Cor 10:3 NET).
So why does the devil and non-believers fear Christians and the Bible? Why is a ruthless tyrant with an arsenal of tanks, missiles, an army of soldiers, and nuclear weapons so fearful of Christians? Because the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (2 Cor 10:4). These aren’t carnal or worldly weapons, but spiritual ones. Weapons of the flesh depend on the users’ skills, training, and the power of their instruments. In contrast, God empowers our weapons with His infinite abilities and they aren’t dependent on our skills, but the Holy Spirit abiding in us.
Paul explains how powerful our weapons are. With them we can bring about the destruction of fortresses (2Co 10:4). A fortress or stronghold is a place of security, protection, or a place dominated by a particular group. Jericho serves as a perfect example of a literal fortress. The walls began with a steep earthen rampart. Next a stone retaining wall stood 12 to 15 feet high. Above that the top wall was 6 feet thick, and 20 to 26 feet high. Together these barriers combined to create a fortification 32 to 41 feet high. In addition, on the top was a 28 foot high tower. Impenetrable by any human army. But, God gave Joshua His plan. Israel marched around the city in silence one time for six days. On the seventh day on their seventh trip around the priests blew their trumpets and the whole army gave a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse (Josh 6:5). Jericho was a literal stronghold of Israel’s enemy as well as it gives a picture of Satan’s spiritual strongholds.
Human efforts can’t tear them down. However, with our divinely powerful weapons we candestroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2Co 10:4, 5). Paul tells us what we destroy in v5: arguments, knowledge, and thoughts. The Message Bible interprets this, We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
Paul doesn’t list here the weapons we use, but from other scriptures we can be confident they include, the Bible, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb 4:12). Prayer, The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (Jam 5:16 NIV). Stand or Resist: Resist the devil and he will flee from you (Jam 4:7), stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:11, 13). For every stronghold, large or small, we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in His plan and wait for His time—don’t get ahead. People assault believers with carnal weapons and attack our flesh; however, we must never respond with our flesh.
Kim Jong-un can’t ignore the expansion of Christians in China. Even now the government is desperately trying to suppress Christianity through arrest, persecution, and destruction of churches. In 1948 when China closed itself off from the world, 3 million Christians existed. In 2010 there were over 58 million Protestants in China. Church strategist believe at the current rate of growth that number will swell to 160 million by 2025 and by 2030 China’s total Christian population will exceed 247 million. This will make it the largest Christian populated country on earth. Why? Believers are using their divinely powerful weapons. We have no excuse to allow our nation to crumb and no reason to live defeated lives. Why? We have the same divinely powerful weapons.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Satan and his workers are afraid of Spirit-filled believers who know the weapons they possess and willing to use them. Don’t live a defeated life!