Internal Warfare

2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

How do I wage war? How do I fight? How do I win?
The question alone presupposes quite a bit. By this we presume that God wants us to win... and fight for that matter. We might presume that we understand when to fight and what to fight for. We presume that those we oppose are not favored by God or at least not being used by God to discipline us. There are plenty of presuppositions here.
Presuming that God is on our side and those who oppose us are not, and that we do understand when and why we fight, how should we fight?
We don't use lies, manipulation, deception or physical violence to advance our agenda. To do these would be sin and would place us on the wrong side of the battle lines with God. However we don't even fight as we might presume to fight nobly. The battle Paul describes here seems to be far more internal than external... taring down and taking captive even thoughts and intentions that oppose the ways of God. The battle Paul speaks of is an internal one in which we conquer our sin nature and force our spirit to submit to the Holy Spirit. It is in this battle's victory that we are drawn to prayer and faith and find God mightily at work in promoting His agenda and defeating His enemies. We don't have to wage war as the world does. We can faithfully submit to God and wait on Him to move the obstacles before us. But first we must conquer our own sin nature; our pride, our envy, our greed, our ambition, our doubt, our fear, our hurt. For then our prayers are powerful, our aim is accurate, our words are effective and our motives are pure.

Father - strengthen me in my internal battle. Help me take captive every thought that arises in me and stands against You. Teach me to tare down strongholds that have locked me out of fellowship with you. Protect me from the arrows from the towers of doubt and guilt in my mind. Help me to win the battle inside that I might be a powerful weapon in Your hands for advancing Your kingdom. Amen.