Demolition Derby Time!

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. (2 Corinthians 10:5, NLT)

I have read and read and read that scripture. I have confessed and confessed and confessed that scripture. But this week, that scripture has come alive to me in a new way!

Our store on Oahu, Central Pacific Rebuilders, has an upstairs living quarters. This week, our friend Joseph has been renovating the living quarters area.

It is our Palace O'Da Key Tov!

The building was built in the sixties. I'm extremely positive it has not been touched since that time. God has given me a wonderful vision for this project! Not a vision in the biblical sense, a vision as in how to renovate it.

The first thing Joe had to do was gut the whole upstairs. There was hammering and sawing and banging. It was like a demolition derby, except with men instead cars! At the end of day one, I looked around and I thought, now THIS is what the Lord intended by demolishing arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God!

Seeing the results of the "gutting" made me want to further my study of the word demolish (mahalo Google) and I found:

Verb

• Pull or knock down (a building).
• Comprehensively refute (an argument or its proponent).

Synonyms

• destroy - wreck - ruin - tear down - pull down

This is my new translation for 2 Corinthians 10:5!

We demolish-pull down-knock down-comprehensibly destroy-wreck-ruin-tear down-refute all 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!

When we are tempted with thoughts of:

• Anxiety
• Hurt
• Frustration
• Confusion
• Condemnation
• Anger
• Offense

We run to Jesus and demolish 'em!
We don't run to our friends &/or Facebook and amplify 'em!

We replace:

• anxiety with "Lord, I cast all anxieties on You, because You care for Me!" (1 Peter 5:7)
• hurt with "I fear not, for You are with me; I am not dismayed, for You are my God! You strengthen me, Yes, You help me! You uphold me with Your righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
• frustration with "Thank You Jesus for bringing to my remembrance to refuse to grow weary of doing good! Thank You for Your promise I will reap in due season when I refuse to give up!" (Galatians 6:9)
• Confusion with "Father, thank You for Your wonderful Spirit of truth! He guides me into all the truth! (John 16:13)
• Condemnation with "Thank You Jesus there is no place for condemnation in me! You have made me free from the law of sin and death! (Romans 8:1, 2)
• Anger with "Father, You gave me emotions! I handle my emotions in a healthy, godly manner! When I am angry, I refuse to sin! I put my trust in You! (Psalm 4:4-5)
• Offense with "Father, thank You for teaching me to walk in forgiveness which makes me free! Thank You for showing me how to avoid the terrible trap of unforgiveness!" (Mark 11:25)

Friends, it's demolition derby time!