You don’t bring a slingshot to a gunfight. I mean, you could…but you’d lose. It isn’t the right weapon. Thought it has the power to kill, it doesn’t match up to the power of an M-16. You could use a slingshot to kill a rabbit or break a bottle, but it won’t do much against an armored opponent with an automatic rifle.
Oh, how often I make this mistake! How many times I bring a slingshot to a fight that requires something more powerful! How many times I try every human tactic to change people hearts and minds! Whether it is a co-worker, a friend, a spouse or a child…I try to convince them using my own intellect and reasoning alone. Intellect and reasoning aren’t bad things, they just aren’t the only things, nor are they the most effective things.
Paul knew this. When wrote to the Corinthians about his authority and forcefulness, he said this:
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NLT)
Paul was a master debater. He had a God-given authority to do his work. He had the credentials to demand obedience. He had all those weapons at his disposal and used all them all, but he also knew that his greatest weapons were not worldly, but spiritual. His greatest weapons were prayer and the Word.
It was these weapons that he brought to bear on his greatest challenges. It was these spiritual weapons that he brought to fight spiritual battles. THAT is what I often forget. I forget that my physical and intellectual efforts must be preceded by prayer and time in the Word. I forget that spiritual battles are best fought with spiritual weapons.
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)
