The Search for Significance

152 The Search For Significance
These fortresses are belief systems based on
Satan's lies. They are overcome by "destroying
speculations and every lofty thing raised up against
the knowledge of God," that is, identifying and rejecting
specific lies, then replacing them with the
truth.
In the same letter to the Christians in Corinth,
Paul shows how repentance can be a vital weapon
in our warfare. If we have been deceived by the
enemy, or if we have been involved in willful disobedience
to God, we can repent by turning from
our sin to God. Paul rejoiced that the Corinthians
repented and experienced the grace of God:
"I now rejoice, not that you were made
sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful
to the point of repentance; for you
were made sorrowful according to the
will of God, in order that you might not
suffer loss in anything through us.
"For the sorrow that is according to
the will of God produces a repentance
without regret, leading to salvation; but
the sorrow of the world produces death"
(II Corinthians 7:9,10).
The Corinthians' example demonstrates repentance
as a tactical weapon of our spiritual warfare.
Repentance means to change, to change one's
mind, purpose, and actions. It is more than just
sorrow, it is the changing of our attitude and actions
when we have realized that an attitude or an
action is sinful and dishonoring to God.
As an offensive weapon, repentance possesses
two sharp edges. The first edge of repentance allows
us to discern and reject false beliefs. When
situations occur which trigger certain beliefs that
produce ungodly responses, we must:
1. recognize our emotion;