The phrase “weapons of our warfare are not carnal” comes from 2 Corinthians 10:4 in the Bible, which states: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” This verse has profound meaning for Christians, especially in spiritual warfare against evil.
The key to understanding this verse is the contrast between “carnal” weapons and spiritual weapons empowered by God. Carnal weapons are human-made weapons like swords, spears, guns, bombs, etc. These weapons rely on human strength and ability. The “weapons of our warfare” Paul refers to are not these carnal weapons, which are limited in power. Rather, the weapons Paul has in mind are spiritual weapons empowered by God’s own might. These weapons have divine power to tear down strongholds.
What are these spiritual weapons? Based on the context, they likely include things like:
- Preaching the gospel
- Prayer
- Faith in God
- Righteous living
- The Word of God
- The armor of God (Eph 6:10-18)
These spiritual weapons are able to tear down strongholds of sin, evil, and Satan because they invoke God’s own power and authority against the forces of darkness. Human carnal weapons are useless against spiritual forces, but spiritual weapons backed by the omnipotent God can defeat any stronghold.
Spiritual Warfare Against Strongholds of Evil
An important application of 2 Corinthians 10:4 is to spiritual warfare against strongholds of evil. Christians face opposition not just from physical forces but from demonic spiritual forces (Eph 6:12). There are “strongholds” of sin, satanic influence, and corruption in individuals and society.
How are Christians to tear down these strongholds? Not through carnal weapons – not through political activism, protests, violent revolution, or crafting laws. These human-based attempts at reform fail to address the root spiritual causes. The weapons that can demolish strongholds of sin and evil are spiritual – prayer, preaching the gospel, God’s Word, faith in Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Only through spiritual weapons can the foundations of sin and demonic influence be destroyed. This is why social reform without spiritual revival consistently fails. Lasting change comes when strongholds of sin and corruption are pulled down in people’s hearts through spiritual rebirth in Christ.
God’s Power Working Through Us By Faith
A key truth in 2 Corinthians 10:4 is that the spiritual weapons are powerful “through God.” It is not our own power at work, but God’s power working through us. The weapons are empowered by Him.
Our role is to use these weapons in obedient faith, relying on God’s power and not our own strength. When we preach the gospel, it is powerful because God’s Spirit convicts hearts. When we pray against evil, God hears and acts. The Word of God is living and active by God’s own power (Heb 4:12). Even things like prayer and preaching only work because God’s power is working through us.
This is comforting because we know the battle is ultimately the Lord’s (1 Sam 17:47). We do not war according to the flesh but are empowered by His Spirit (Rom 8:9, 13). Though the weapons are wielded by our hands, their power comes from God Himself.
Living By the Spirit, Not the Flesh
There is also an important principle in 2 Corinthians 10:4 about living according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. Earlier in the epistle, Paul scolded the Corinthian church for being too carnal, living by human wisdom and striving after worldly status and glory (1 Cor 3-4). Here too he reminds them that the Christian life is one of spiritual warfare, not carnal warfare.
Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual – not powered by human striving, talent, or fleshly desire but by the very Spirit of God. Christians are to live by the Spirit and “put to death the deeds of the body” (Rom 8:13), not seek worldly status or human glory. Spiritual warfare requires fully relying on God’s power and spiritual weapons, not carnal human means.
Putting on the Full Armor of God
Another relevant passage is Ephesians 6:10-18, where Paul urges Christians to “put on the full armor of God” as protection against spiritual forces of evil. This parallels 2 Corinthians 10:4. The spiritual armor Paul lists includes:
- Belt of truth
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Gospel of peace
- Shield of faith
- Helmet of salvation
- Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word)
Like the weapons of 2 Corinthians 10:4, this spiritual armor represents spiritual disciplines and virtues empowered by God that comprise our defense and offensive weapons against evil. Prayer is also listed as key to spiritual vigilance.
Putting on the full armor of God means growing in truth, righteousness, gospel-peace, faith, salvation, God’s Word, and prayer. These spiritually equip us for victory in spiritual battles against sin and demonic influence.
The Bible’s Teaching on Spiritual Warfare
Passages like 2 Corinthians 10:4 and Ephesians 6:10-18 teach the importance of spiritual warfare as Christians. The weapons we fight with are not carnal or human-made. Bombs and bullets cannot demolish strongholds of sin or defeat demons.
Rather, God supernaturally works through spiritual disciplines and virtues – prayer, faith, God’s Word, righteousness, preaching the gospel, and the Holy Spirit. These are empowered by God Himself. Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons.
This vital truth guards against two errors: Passively accepting evil strongholds as unchangeable, and believing we can demolish them by our own strength. Instead we rely on God’s power working through spiritual weapons He provides as we fight for faith and godliness in ourselves and society.
Though the war is hard, its ending is sure – Satan is defeated, and God will be victorious. Spiritual weapons powered by His might will prevail.