We have heard that strongholds should be torn down. But just what is a stronghold in our lives?
“For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds. [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, AMPC).
Paul explains exactly what a stronghold is. It is an “argument, theory, and reasoning” and a “proud and lofty thing” that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. The King James Version says that it is an “imagination” that must be cast down and a “thought” that must be taken captive.
The Greek word used for “imagination” is “logismos”, and it is described here as a “reasoning” that is hostile to Christ and His Word. It is translated in other versions by the phrases “every proud argument against God” (The Living Bible), “every proud obstacle” (Today’s English Version), “arguments” (New International Version), “every deceptive fantasy” (J.B. Phillips New Testament), and “speculations” (New American Standard Bible). The “lofty things” include anything that opposes the true knowledge about God and His Christ as revealed in the Bible.
These things that oppose God’s truth come as a “thought.” The mind is the battlefield in which thoughts and reasoning contrary to God’s Word are to be captured and submitted to Christ.
If not taken captive, speculations contrary to God’s Word can become a belief system that becomes the foundation of one’s life. They include cultural traditions, false religions, the bondage of sin, the opinions of men, political arguments, scientific theories, and everything that denies or ignores the reality of God and His truth. These strongholds define the battleground for the life of the believer. There will be no victory as long as strongholds stand. A stronghold will keep you in a continuous struggle, raging in your natural mind and flesh.
However, we don’t fight with the weapons of our warfare that are physical! We fight with the revelation of God’s spiritual truth that sets us free. It is not only possible to take every thought captive but it is our purpose. Our spiritual weapons were designed for the express purpose of taking every thought captive and making them obedient to Christ. Keeping our minds completely focused on the Lord is a reachable goal.
The fact that we are the righteousness of God in Christ, the truth that the gospel is the power to save, the potential of faith to move mountains, the reality of our salvation and reconciliation with God, the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us and empowers us, and the power of prayer are all more than enough to tear down every stronghold that exalts itself against God (Ephesians 6:10-18). We are well-fit to win this warfare!
A stronghold is nothing more than a lie that defeats God’s truth in our lives. It only has influence over us to the degree that we submit to it. Likewise, as we submit to the truth of God’s Word and act upon it, the lies we have believed will come down, and we can be truly set free.
You can have a belief that is wrong and not even know it. God’s truth is what reveals and defeats every lie. The only way to know what is a lie or truth is through the Holy Spirit’s revelation of God’s Word. You can have God’s armor but will walk in defeat if you don’t know what it is and how to use it.
You have been “born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:23).
You were born again of the incorruptible seed of God’s truth through the Word that lives forever! You were created for victory—for such a time as this. The enemy will stir discord and strife. He will use your emotions to manipulate you. But when you take every thought captive, you unlock the power of the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). You have God’s power behind your NO!
So take every thought captive and determine if it a lie coming against God’s truth in your life. Cast down every human speculation and reasoning. Walk boldly into the fray, and overcome the enemy’s lies with the revelation of God’s love and grace.
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
—Isaiah 55:11
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