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2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Reversing the Addiction Curse.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV) The weapons we 
fight with are not the weapons of the world. On 
the contrary, they have divine power to demolish 
strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension 
that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, 
and we take captive every thought to make it 
obedient to Christ.  

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NLT) We use Gods 
mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down 
the strongholds of human reasoning and to 
destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud 
obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We 
capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to 
obey Christ.  

INTRODUCTION

   A POW is a prisoner of war, someone who 
has been captured and held under an enemy's 
control.  Many Christians are POWs - prisoners of a 
spiritual war.  They're trapped by situations most 
commonly called "addictions," which the Bible refers 
to as "strongholds."  
   Drugs, alcohol, co-dependency, sexual 
promiscuity and other strongholds make a person feel 
trapped with seemingly no way out.  But there is 
hope. In 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Paul offers a 
formula for a breakthrough: Fix the fortress.  Put 
"speculations, knowledge and thoughts" under God's domain.  
In other words, start with your mind. 
   Meditate on these Scriptures and feed 
your spirit with the truth of God's Word: You 
belong to God.  Don't allow the enemy, the "father 
of lies," to hold you prisoner any longer.  We 
are not our addictions or strongholds; we are 
blood-bought, totally forgiven children of the Living God! 
[Alternative View with Dr. Tony Evans; 
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view-with-dr-tony-evans/ 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Heres some good news: Your brain 
stores everything. But its also bad news: Your 
brain stores everything. Your brain cant 
distinguish between whats imaginary and whats 
real. It takes in both truth and lies. 
   You have stored all kinds of garbage in 
your brain. And whether you realize it or not, 
often you base your decisions upon that garbage. 
   When you were a child, adults said things 
you believed without question because they were 
authority figures. Maybe they said you werent good 
enough or you wouldnt amount to anything in 
life. They were lies then, and theyre lies now. 
But you believed them anyway! 
   You need to change the soundtrack 
thats playing in your mind. Instead of playing 
something based on lies, you need to play the truth of 
Gods Word. 
   Romans 12:2 says, Let God transform 
you into a new person by changing the way you 
think (NLT). How do you change the way you think? 
You play a soundtrack of truth. 
   Ask God to heal your memories. Tell God, 
I need you to heal these memories of 
rejection, sin, resentment, guilt, and abuse. They 
hurt. Please heal me. 
   Fill your mind with Gods Word. The 
more truth you put in your mind, the more lies 
you push out. Instead of spending all your time 
watching television and listening to music, fill your 
mind with Gods Word. 
   Gods Word says youre lovable (John 
3:16), capable (2 Peter 1:3), valuable (Luke 12:6), 
forgivable (Psalm 103:12), and usable (Ephesians 
4:12). 
   Let that message become the soundtrack of 
your life, and God will transform your mind. 
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

COMMENTARY

   The reason we are easily defeated by 
temptation is because we try to resist it instead of 
refocusing. What you resist, persists. 
   The more you think about something, the 
more you're attracted to it. So, if you want to 
defeat temptation, dont fight it. Change your 
focus! 
   "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome 
evil with good" (Romans 12:21 NIV). If your mind 
is filled with good thoughts, there's no room 
for ones that may tempt you to sin. 
   During the pandemic, while youre 
staying home more, you may face recurring 
temptations. Whatever those areas are for you, youll 
get discouraged if you keep trying to fight 
against them, particularly if you continually give 
in. 
   The key is to refocus your attention on 
something else. Heres an example - if youre 
tempted while watching TV, dont keep telling 
yourself, Im not going to watch this. 
Instead, pick up the remote and change the channel. 
   Temptation always starts with a thought. 
If Satan can't get your attention, you can't be 
tempted. Advertisers use the same tactic. They get 
your attention and then engage your emotions. So 
you move from attention to emotions to action. 
   Have you ever experienced this: Someone 
asks you, "Are you hungry right now?" And even 
though youre not hungry, you start to feel 
hungry. Or they ask, Are you tired? And you 
answer, You know, I hadnt really thought about 
it, but now that you mention it, I am feeling a 
little worn down. 
   Whatever gets your attention, gets you.
   Thats why, when youre tempted, you 
need to change your focus. Philippians 4:8 says, 
 My friends, fill your minds with those 
things that are good and that deserve praise: 
things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, 
and honorable (GNT). 
   The more you fight a tempting thought or 
feeling, the more it controls you. So dont fight 
it! Refocus and replace your thoughts with 
things that are good and make you more like Jesus. 
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]  

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

2 Corinthians 10:5 - Take Every Thought 
Captive! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190803-0937.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio (currently live): 
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657