Strongholds

 

We frequently hear strongholds must be demolished, but do we truly comprehend what a stronghold is?

“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 through God for the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, KJ21).

Paul tells us exactly what a stronghold is. It's an “imagination”and a “high thing” that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. A stronghold is a thought. It’s a belief that forms in the mind and goes against the truth of God and His Word. A stronghold holds itself in high esteem above God’s truth. And it keeps God’s truth from benefiting our lives.

Strongholds are born of traditions, false religions, bondage to sin, human reasoning, and anything that contradicts or disregards the reality of God and His truth. Strongholds are demonic in origin. Examples of these unclean spirits are: the spirit of lying, the spirit of fear, the spirit of infirmity, the spirit of jealousy, the spirit of heaviness, the spirit of pride, the spirit of discord, and the spirit of perversion. These strongholds serve as battlegrounds in the life of a believer. As long as these strongholds remain, victory will remain elusive. A believer will perpetually struggle, the war raging within his mind and body as each stronghold attempts to seize control of his weakened life.

But Praise Jesus! We have weapons of warfare that are not carnal; they are the revelation of God’s truth, which sets us free. The fact that we are the righteousness of God in Christ, the truth that the Gospel is the power of salvation, the potential of faith to overcome any obstacle, the reality of our salvation and reconciliation with God, the power of the Holy Spirit who resides within us and empowers us, and the power of prayer are more than sufficient to tear down every stronghold that opposes God (Ephesians 6:10-18). God has equipped us well to win this war. He has given us His truth, and the knowledge of it it sets us free. 

A stronghold, which exalts itself above God’s truth, keeps His truth from manifesting itself in our lives. That stronghold only has the power to influence us to the degree we submit to it. Likewise, God’s Word only has as much influence as we give it. As we submit to the truth of God’s Word and act upon it, strongholds will come down.

If you will continually submit yourself, spirit, soul, and body, to the truth of God’s Word, the devil will flee (James 4:7). Whatever lie has claimed your thoughts and captivated your imagination will take time to overcome. But never give up. God's truth will become greater in you, defeating every lie. 

Continually bring every thought, imagination, and belief you hold under the examination of God’s truth. Let the Holy Spirit reveal any stronghold that claims you. Now activate your faith. Tear down that stronghold with the truths of your position in Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and prayer. Keep taking captive every thought until your thoughts are God's thoughts. His truth delivers you and sets you free.