Sometimes I’m reticent to bring God into a conversation. I sense the person in front of me is not interested, or I might offend them. Other times I worry they may think less of me, or I might not garner their approval. Usually I’m wrong. If the topic of the divine arises, many people are polite and ask questions. Some respond enthusiastically. Occasionally someone grows quiet and declines to talk further. The responses always surprise me.

Paul and his missionary band initiated conversation after conversation about Jesus. Many in their audience advanced their own views and perspectives in an attempt to counter these teachings about the Messiah. But Paul understood the authority behind his reasoning:

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Every thought captive refers to more than our personal mindset. Every single rationalization and counterpoint brought against the wisdom of God eventually fails. Christ shackles the opinions of leading thinkers. The assertions of scoffers never rise to the challenge. The great philosophers fail.

I forget to my detriment the otherworldly power found in the Word of God. The words of Jesus carry a strength beyond any other. I share my own opinion of God and find a tepid response, but I speak the Word of God and light a fuse. Never forget the divine nature of the Bible. Read it, say it aloud, and tell it to others. Let loose God’s divine power in a world of desperate need.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Photo by Yaoqi