生活中充满了争战。两球队可能在足球场上一决雌雄。有些人要努力减肥或克服毒瘾。企业为生存而战。社会为了种族和性别歧视而战。军队会卷入战争。所有这些争战都需要特定的武器——王牌四分卫，特殊饮食，12步计划，民权，公民自由，隐形武器。
基督的跟随者也有争战。作为基督徒，我们必须谨慎选择我们的武器。保罗在这里为自己辩护，抵挡那些为了提高自己的声誉而公开指责他的假教师。我们许多人都很熟悉他们使用的武器：贬低、欺凌、八卦、诬告。但保罗没有用同样的方式回应，而是用了基督的柔和和温顺；他没有兴趣为自己辩护，他要将“所有心意夺回，使他都顺服基督”。
在神的国度中，我们的军火库里都有些什么可以使用呢？我们的个人见证可以成为一个强有力的武器，来攻破“各样拦阻人认识神的那些自高之事。”祷告是我们与神沟通、献上感恩、明白神旨意的生命线。在神的大能里，我们使用我们的恩赐和才能顺服基督。我们能带来和好，教导，显出怜悯，组织项目，服事帮助他人，以及更多——所有这些都要藉着基督带给世界祝福的爱和恩典才能做成。
主啊，激励我们成为世界的祝福，把你国度的爱和福音带给世界。奉你的名，阿们。
哥林多后书 10:1-5
1我保罗，就是与你们见面的时候是谦卑的，不在你们那里的时候向你们是勇敢的，如今亲自藉着基督的温柔、和平劝你们。
2有人以为我是凭着血气行事，我也以为必须用勇敢待这等人，求你们不要叫我在你们那里的时候，有这样的勇敢。
3因为我们虽然在血气中行事，却不凭着血气争战。
4我们争战的兵器本不是属血气的，乃是在神面前有能力，可以攻破坚固的营垒，
5将各样的计谋、各样拦阻人认识神的那些自高之事，一概攻破了，又将人所有的心意夺回，使它都顺服基督；
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.” — 2 Corinthians 10:4
Life is full of battles. Two teams may battle it out on the football field. A person struggles to lose weight or to conquer an addiction. Businesses fight to stay afloat. Society combats racism and gender inequality. Armies engage in war. All of these battles engage particular weapons—an ace quarterback, a special diet, 12-step programs, civil rights, civil liberties, stealth weaponry.
Christ’s followers engage in battles too. As Christians, we must be careful with our choice of weapons. Paul here defends himself against false teachers who are publicly finding fault with him in order to boost their own reputations. Many of us are familiar with the weapons they used: belittling, bullying, gossip, false accusations. But instead of responding the same way, Paul uses the meekness and gentleness of Christ. He is not interested in defending himself; he desires to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
What is included in the arsenal we may use in God’s kingdom? Our personal testimonies can be a powerful weapon against “every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.” Prayer is our lifeline to communicating with God, giving thanks, and understanding his will for us. And in God’s strength we use our gifts and talents in obedience to Christ. We can bring reconciliation, teach, show compassion, organize projects, serve to help others, and more—all with the love and grace that bring blessing to the world through Christ.
Inspire us, Lord, to be a blessing in this world by bringing the love and good news of your kingdom, for your sake. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
