In 2 Corinthians 10 Paul is addressing criticism and accusations from others about his motives and character. And the comparison game of others comparing themselves to him.
Defending himself, and in defense of his ministry Paul says in verse 5:
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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”
In this season marketers often portray ideal family images of celebrations, getting exactly what you want, having perfect bodies, the awesome new car. The tactic is to get us to compare ourselves to the images set before us. To compare, judge, and find ourselves wanting.
God says: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:14), “he chose us in him before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4), “before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jer 1:5), “while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).
These scriptures are the weapons we fight with. Not the weapons of the world which are finite, but rather weapons that: “have divine power to demolish strongholds”. Weapons that: “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God”.
The word “demolish” is used twice here. It is to use force, to throw down, refute, destroy. This is the force of the weapons God gives us to use by which false arguments and pretensions that set up against the knowledge of God are to be eliminated.
Of course in this life we are not perfect, and we are always on a journey to be “more like Christ” (Rom 12:2, Eph 4:22-24). However, our intrinsic value is set and firm.
Paul didn’t let others define him and neither should we. Our lives may not imitate the images we see in advertisements. But it is Christ who defines us and gives us the ability to “take every thought captive” (my emphasis) and make our thoughts “obedient to Christ”.
Your value and worth is not defined by comparisons with others. It is in the God who made you, defines you, and died for you.
Barnabas Man 