2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” – NIV

              As we do today, Paul encountered numerous philosophies and religions which at their cores opposed a true knowledge of God. Each sought to explain life, to guide lifestyles, and to ultimately justify rejecting the God who not only created all things, but rules sovereignly over the universe. To this God of Abraham, we must answer regardless of whether or not we were to create in our minds some false explanation of reality.

              Paul’s first goal was to glorify God by proclaiming the truth which had been revealed to him, but accomplishing that goal included overcoming these false arguments and pretensions. In order to evangelize others, bringing them into the kingdom, God through him had to overcome these falsehoods with spirit and truth. These arguments against God and pretensions denying Him had to be demolished. 

              Today, many “-isms” offer an alternative view of reality, an excuse to deny the God who requires us to come to Him through faith alone in Christ alone. Scientism and materialism claim that all reality is encompassed by the physical and no spiritual reality including God exists. Legalism in its myriad forms seduces men and women to believe they can earn their freedom from the guilt of sin. Woke-ism deceives with its perverted definition of justice, enslaving instead of freeing its followers to another law they cannot fulfill.

              We should follow in Paul’s footsteps both in opposing the false arguments and pretensions within our own minds and lives that mislead us from true worship as well as the same lies that deceive others around us today. To accomplish this we must first discern the lies in all their forms, uncovering not only their foundations but all the ways their deceits extend into our beliefs, our thoughts and feeling, and our practice individually and collectively. Then we must systematically shine the light of God’s truth on them, exposing them so we can demolish them. We and others around us will flourish in God’s blessing through such work.