When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed – Luke 11:21
HOW STRONGHOLDS ARE FORMED
The apostle Paul defines a stronghold as “speculations, [a] lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5). A demonic stronghold is any type of thinking that exalts itself above the knowledge of God, thereby giving the devil a secure place of influence in an individual’s thought-life.
Again a stronghold is a faulty thinking pattern based on lies and deception contrary to God’s word. Deception is one of the primary weapons of the devil, it becomes the building blocks for a stronghold. What strongholds can do is cause us to think in ways which block us from God’s best for us. It will cripple you from walking in the blessings of God.
You need to be reminded Satan’s battle ground is your mind. When you are not sure of your position in Christ, all manner of spirits will have access to the soul knowing they are protected by the armor of that person’s own thoughts and doctrines!
If the enemy can manipulate and control your mind with his deceptive thoughts he can take over your life.
1) A WRONG VIEW OF WHO GOD IS
There are a lot of people who suffer from UNHEALTHY FEAR OF GOD AND HIS PRESENCE: They can’t accept the fact that God is a loving, forgiving and merciful God. They can’t experience an intimate relationship of God’s presence and love. They view God as a cruel taskmaster, a punishing God. They feel God is cold and distant and uncaring. Thus they erect walls around them.
WHEN PEOPLE SEE THEMSELVES INCORRECTLY BEFORE GOD THEY FACE AN IDENTITY CRISIS BECAUSE THEY CAN NEVER ACCEPT THEIR REAL POSITION IN CHRIST AND THAT THEY ARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.
CONSEQUENTLY THEY SUFFER FROM LOW SELF-ESTEEM AND GUILT FEELINGS. THEY STILL STRUGGLE WITH SIN. FICKLE MINDED, THEY CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND THAT CHRIST HAS FORGIVEN THEM.
They don’t feel ‘worthy’ spiritually and lack the joy of the Lord in their life.
UNGODLY EXPOSURE
Many of us are entrapped into a stronghold because we have opened ourselves to demonic influences unconsciously and ignorantly while we were growing up. As children growing up in a world that is under the influence and the way of the enemy we have been bombarded with a steady stream of ungodly information and experiences that continually shaped our childhood perceptions and mentality.
HOW TO TEAR DOWN A STRONGHOLD
2 Corinthians 10:4, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”
Strongholds are birthed and dwelled-in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth of God’s Word into the scene. You can demolish and neutralise the lies of the enemy with the truth, which is in the Word of God! The Bible says that our weapons are mighty for the tearing down of strongholds (2 Cor 10:4)
What is our primary offensive weapon? The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17). Truth dispels deception and lies, and therefore the more truth you bring into a situation, the more darkness will be dispelled from your presence.
HOW TO COUNTERACT?
It is important to grow in God’s Word, because it is your primary weapon for tearing down the strongholds of deception that the enemy has been sowing into your mind.
The apostle Paul defines strongholds as speculations or lofty things raised up against the knowledge of God. It is any type of thinking that exalts itself above the knowledge of God, thereby giving the devil a secure place of influence in an individual’s thought-life. Any thought that is not in line with God’s word is the enemy’s take. He will find that avenue to ride on you.
Ed Silvoso defines a stronghold as a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept something that we know is contrary to the will of God.
It is important to recognize that when we speak of strongholds, we are talking about areas in your life that you are in bondage to and you are having a hard time breaking loose from it.
In John 8:31-36, Jesus tells us that we can be held in bondage due to strongholds in our lives. And His solution was to, “continue in my word… and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (v. 32-32). Strongholds are torn down as we meditate on God’s Word, which is truth! The thought, “I cannot have a demon because I am a Christian,” is simply untrue. Many believers have been taught that, because they have the Holy Spirit, they cannot be deceived this is also not true.
Your rebellion toward God especially in the area of unforgiveness provides a place for the devil in your life. Any area of our heart or mind that is not surrendered to Jesus Christ is an area vulnerable to satanic attack. Very often the victim is unaware because the spirit of deception has desensitized the truth.
Resist the devil — Take authority over the enemy. Renounce, rebuke, or reject the offending thoughts or spirits in Jesus’ name. Pronounce and decree that you are set free, you are covered in the blood of Christ and you are blessed. No weapon formed against you will ever prosper.
Note: Rev Dr Jai Kumar is an ordained & licensed minister of Covenant Ministries International N.J. USA. He is a mission minded pastor who carries an apostolic anointing who preaches and teaches an uncompromising gospel with boldness. A member of ECCM (Malaysia) Spiritual Adviser & overseer to various ministries and churches. An itinerant speaker. He is also the author of a book entitled, ‘God’s Time Clock.’ Currently he worships at C3 Subang.
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