EmmDev 2017-01-20 [Treasure in Clay Pots (2Cor)] Different rules of engagement.

Different rules of engagement.

I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 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.       (2Corinthians10:2-5)

Paul is referring to his enemies who have used ridicule, boasting and power to make Paul look bad and themselves look good. From the chapters that follow we'll learn that they:

• Demanded to be paid while Paul paid his own way
• Used power and influence whereas Paul was gentle and loving
• Boasted in their successes whereas Paul will boast in his weakness

The standards of this world in the areas of interpersonal conflict are:

• See the other person as an enemy
• The strongest one wins (unless you undermine their strength)
• Attack and expose the enemy's weaknesses and defend and deny your own
• Break you enemy down and build yourself up

But Paul reminds them to walk to the beat of a different drum:
"You live in the world but don't do it like they do!"

1. Use different weapons: (Prayer, Wisdom, Forgiveness and LOVE)
2. Recognise that through prayer and God's wisdom we can demolish arguments and pretensions. Think about how often Jesus discombobulated His enemies (To discombobulate is to "graciously explode" preconceived ideas):
   
   • When questioned on taxes: Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's.
   • When asked "Who is my neighbour?" He told the Good Samaritan story.
   • When confronted with the woman in adultery He said "Let him without sin cast the first stone."
   • When the hammered nails through His hands and feet, He prayed "Father forgive them - they don't know what they are doing!"
3. Remember the object is not that people know who you are but who God is. When we go into any conflict defending ourselves and our egos, pain is the only possible result (either for us or the "enemy"). When we go into conflict seeking that God be seen more clearly we stand a better chance of resolving it.
4. Ultimately our agenda is to bring about a solution that is in accordance with God's will. If we can't sincerely pray "Your Kingdom Come" when we enter a conflict, we are not doing it God's way.

This is how we should deal with conflicts and challenges. It requires a mindset that has moved away from my ego to a sincere desire to see God revealed and glorified.

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