Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2 Corinthians chapter 5:
3–4 For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with Divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. 5 We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes GOD and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of GOD. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought [or scheme] and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. 6 Since we are armed with such dynamic weaponry, we stand ready to punish [ie “court martial”] any trace of rebellion, as soon as you choose complete obedience.
Paul is referring to demonic strongholds or centers of opposition to the light of the Gospel. In verse 5, he mentions “citadels of argumentations,” which include fantasies. A citadel is a fortress, typically on high ground, protecting or dominating a city. Arrogant thoughts contrary to The Word attempt to fortify themselves with logic and emotion. They often use intimidation, fear, uncertainty, and doubt to exalt themselves in our consciousness.
A scheme is a large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining some particular object or putting a particular idea into effect. The more clever the scheme, the more likely it will be successful. The adversary and his demons use schemes, or systematic plans, to exalt themselves and move us from the path known as “The Way” of the Gospel. They are often elaborate schemes that are so subtle that they are often invisible to man’s logical insight. This is why we need to walk according to The Holy Spirit.
What may appear to be presented as our best interest can be a scheme to rob from us by those who are walking in darkness and submitted to demonic influence, knowing or unknowingly. Familiar spirits are often behind these schemes. Familiar spirits operate by manipulating people with subtle thoughts of logic, reasoning, and/or emotions that oppose the Gospel.
In Deuteronomy chapter 18, FATHER instructed the children of Israel:
9 “When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. 14 For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you.”
There are nations who have been controlled by the powers of darkness so we must not allow ourselves to dismiss such demonic activity affecting us. In these times of science and technology there is a tendency to disregard the spiritual operating and pulling the strings of those who are in temporary power.
The manipulative schemes of the adversary can only be uncovered by our enlightened eyes of understanding as we are led by and listen to The Holy Spirit. My prayer for you and me:
FATHER,
I ask that YOU, the GOD of Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Father of Glory, may give to us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened; that we may know what is the hope of YOUR calling, what are the riches of the glory of Jesus’ inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of YOUR power toward us who believe, according to the working of YOUR mighty power which YOU worked in Christ when YOU raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at YOUR right hand in the Heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named.
And YOU put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all.
In Jesus’ Name and by The Holy Spirit,
Amen!!!