Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Corinthians 10 and Psalm 128

There were those in Corinth who publicly maligned and opposed Paul’s ministry, saying all sorts of negative things about him. One derogatory ‘accusation’ against Paul was that he was unimpressive and timid in person. They claimed that while his letters were highly impressive, face-to-face he just seemed far too down to earth and ordinary to be a true apostle of God. As Paul opens this chapter he therefore begins with a power statement:

“By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you …”

Christ is humble and gentle! And if Christ the Lord is humble and gentle, why would His representative aim to be anything other than humble and gentle? Why would a representative of Jesus approach his ministry with an attitude of pride and forcefulness when that is not a good reflection of the One He represents. Taking on opponents in such worldlys way is the domain of politics (think of the upcoming American elections), it is not the way of Jesus.

The representative of Jesus is not to “wage war as the world does” (v.3) – taking on opponents by maligning and seeking to destroy them – instead we are to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and … take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” One could say we are called to “play the ball and not the man”. We are to confront untruths with Truth. We represent the Lord of Truth, and a plain, calm, humble and gentle presentation of the Truth is all we need. Truth will defeat the arguments of false teachers and spiritual opponents. We do not need to add vitriol and slander to the mix.

Life Application: Resolve today not to relate to anyone who opposes or resists you in worldly ways. Resolve instead to represent Jesus with gentleness and humility, opposing falsehood with the plain truth, taking on arguments but not attacking the one arguing – and trusting that Truth will ultimately triumph.