I have shared before that I have a one-year-old puppy named Archie. We are currently working on training. Specifically, I am trying to teach him self-control when he sees another dog while we are out in public. Currently, he becomes so excited when he sees another dog that he barks non-stop and pulls his leash toward the dog he wants to say “hi” to. It is not a good situation. Something interesting I’ve learned from his trainer is that when he exhibits good behavior, I have to immediately reward it. If I wait too long to say, “good job” and give him a treat, the training will be ineffective. I have to be on guard to see good behavior, capture it, and reward it in the moment if I want Archie to learn and behave well. On a much grander scale, the task of guarding our hearts requires us to be on guard so that we can recognize our own thoughts and the words of others that go against the truth of God’s word.
Paul calls us to be on guard so that we can guard our hearts in 2nd Corinthians 10. In our study of 2nd Corinthians 10 yesterday, we were reminded that this world is full of false teachings and lies from the enemy. It is not enough to know that this world is full of false teachings from the enemy. Much like I am on the lookout for the moment my dog exhibits good behavior, we have to be looking out for the lies of the enemy, whether they are from our own thoughts or from the words of others, so that we can capture them. The moment we encounter them is the moment we can best fight against them and choose not to listen or believe them. If we dwell in the ungodly thoughts that go against God’s word, we will be more likely to be deceived by them.
My friend, we have a real enemy who is always at work scheming against God and His people. The enemy is seeking to destroy us. In light of this, we have to be on guard. We must be expecting and looking for how the enemy might be deceiving us and others so that we can recognize it immediately. As we do this, we can better guard our hearts and avoid being deceived by the enemy. It is time to actively guard our hearts, on the lookout for deception from the enemy so that we can fight against him.
Pay attention to the words you hear today, both the words others speak to you and the words you speak to yourself. Look out for how the enemy might be deceiving you, and when you recognize the enemy’s lies, call it out and refuse to hold on to that lie. Instead, claim the truth of God from His word.
5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. 8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.
9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.
12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!
13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.
15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. 16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
