The Bible tells us that the enemy (#Satan), which is describe as a thief comes to steal and to kill and to destroy, but Christ has come to give us an abundant life (John 10:10).
Satan wants us to live in defeat, and one way he does this is through #spiritual strongholds, or simply put, #strongholds.
A #stronghold is a fortified city. Therefore spiritual strongholds are incorrect or wrong thinking pattern that has molded itself into our way of thinking, and therefore controls an aspect or our entire life. These strongholds can affect our moods, feelings, how we respond to various situations in life, and they play a large role in our spiritual freedom.
[tweetthis] Strongholds are built when we accept and receive error and begin to meditate on them [/tweetthis]
Where do strongholds come from?
One of the primary weapons the enemy uses is deception; deception is a lie appearing to be truth. (The other two primary weapons are accusations and temptations). Strongholds are built upon deception. These deceptions which form strongholds can come from a wide variety of sources, including our environment, those around us, our parents or even demon spirits. Many people are #living a defeated life because of what they chooses to believe or hold on to, for example, they are insignificant and so they live their lives believing they are not important.
For us to live in victory it is very important for us to have the right thinking. Our thoughts are very powerful as they govern our behavior. Our behavior governs our lives.
Can strongholds be as a result of a demon?
The simple answer to this question is yes. A person who has a demon behind their stronghold(s) may find it nearly impossible to tear them down and keep down unless the demon is cast out and then the person must learn to think right. This is because the demon will be working hard at rebuilding and holding those strongholds in place. The demon in the person will be working very hard to prevent the person from being free from its clutches and so will be countering that person’s efforts to tear them down.
[tweetthis] Whatever takes root in your spirit that is what will control your life [/tweetthis]
At times it will feel as if they are hitting a brick wall, and even if they seem to make progress, it seems like their efforts are in vain because it keeps coming back.
#How do you tear down strongholds?
We tear down strongholds through truth or the #Word of God. It is very clear that strongholds are built upon falsehood or deception; it is therefore through the truth that you tear down such faulty thinking patterns. Strongholds are built when we accept and receive error and begin to meditate on them. Whatever you meditate on, that is what will take root in your spirit. Whatever takes root in your spirit that is what will control your life.
Strongholds are form in our minds what is known as an imagination, that is, a false concept that we believe to be true, but in reality is not. The Bible speaks about these imaginations clearly, and shows us how they can be torn down:
2 Corinthians 10:4, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through #God to 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.”
[tweetthis] Whatever you meditate on, that is what will take root in your spirit. [/tweetthis]
If we are going to tear down strongholds through the Word of God, the Word of God is truth (John 17:17), then we need to know what God is saying about you and how he sees you. The Bible tells us that God does not see or think about us like our parents, friends, and others see or think about us (1 Samuel 16:7). Since this is the case, we therefore should not see ourselves through the subjective thoughts of man (how are parents see and truth us, our friends, co-workers, and people we come in contact with.
Many people are living their lives base on how people see them or who people say they are. People will not always know your worth; you need to know your worth. The only person whose words should dictate to you how you think and live your life is God. Your parents may be the one who gave birth to you and brought you up, but you did not come from your parents, you came from God, your parents are just vessels God used to bring you into the world.
For you to live your life according to the Word of God, you first need to know how God sees you and what he is saying about you. I strongly believe that if you were the only one in the world #Jesus would still have died for your sins. That’s how important you are to God.
Similarly, many people live their lives by accepting wrong concepts or believe, while many believe they are not able to live free from whatever have them in bondage, for example gambling. That is a lie and the sooner you stop believing these lies you will continue to live in bondage.
A stronghold is any lie that you holds to be true, for example,
You will never get out of debt;
You will never be free from this addiction;
You are worthless;
You do not deserves to be love
And the list goes on…….
All these are lies and to tear them down you must first identify them and acknowledge that these are all lies then each day replace them with the truth. For example:
Instead of accepting the thought that you will never get out of debt, start telling yourself that ‘I will get out of debt. Not only that but I am getting out of debt.’ Then start working towards getting out of debt.
Many times Satan builds strongholds by reminding us of our past failures and sins. We have to remember that all our sins are covered under the blood of Jesus when we repent of our sins and all our failures are in the past. Whoever you were two years ago, you are no longer that person. Start walking in newness of life.
Do not listen or start reasoning with the things that the enemy puts in your #mind. The Bible tells us “…..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.” What that means is that whenever the enemy puts a thought in your mind you immediately holds it captive through the Word of God. In other words, censor your thoughts before they take root in your spirit.
Since God associates Himself with His Word (John 1:1), if anything comes into our minds that is contrary to God’s Word, throw it out! Do not waste your time thinking about it or trying to reason with it. If Satan is trying to tell you that God is not wanting to forgive you, then don’t listen to it. Why? Because His Word says otherwise:
Isaiah 30:18, “Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.” (NASB)
We tear down strongholds through #prayer. The Bible tells us that “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds”- 2 Corinthians 10:4. One of these weapons God has given us is prayer. In fact, prayer is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us so much that all the armors of our warfare hangs on, or activated by, prayer (Ephesians 6:18).
We should never forget the awesome power of the Word of God in destroying spiritual strongholds. When Jesus was upon earth he used the Word of God as a weapon to defeat the “schemes, devices, reasoning’s” of the devil in the wilderness. With each suggestion the devil made to Jesus, he included reasons why Jesus should act upon his suggestions. He was attempting to use human reasoning to build strongholds in Jesus’ mind that would influence his own thoughts and direct his actions.
Therefore when we pray we should never forget to pray God’s Words, and believe them for “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” -Mark 11:24
[tweetthis] How are you tearing down Spiritual strongholds in your own life? [/tweetthis]
God has given us resources to defeat the enemy. We no longer have to live in defeat by allowing strongholds to control our lives. Through the Word of God and prayer we can start tearing (or destroying) spiritual strongholds.
Strongholds in a believer’s life will hinder that person from growing in that area, for example if that person is fearful. This is why it is very important for each believer to destroy any stronghold in his or her life before it destroys that individual. Many Christians have killed their purpose or #ministry because of strongholds.
How are you destroying strongholds in your own life? Please share with us and don’t forget to share this article and others with your friends on Social Media sites your apart of.
Responses
Through prayer I am no longer meditating on the devils words but on Gods words. I just made a example out of the devil while I was reading he telling me I need to be polishing my toe nails instead of reading Gods word and I ignored him and started meditating more on Gods word of what I was reading. The devil and his strongholds have taken enough of me and my family and others life not anymore
Through prayer God has set my son free of a rebellious and stubborn spirit. This was routed by his false belief that he’s not good enough and second best, living in his brothers shadow till age 22, he believed the lie that he is overlooked in receiving talents or abilities.
With a learning disorder and lack of sport ability these lies were strengthened.
We thank God for the victory in Jesus to year off the label the world gave my son and replace it with the true label of who he is in Jesus. Beloved, accepted, forgiven, made righteous by the blood of Jesus and walking in the light of the lord
Thank you! I needed that!!!
Thank God we don’t base our salvation on feelings! If we did, we would be on an emotional roller coaster. We stand upon the promises of God and His faithfulness to complete what He has begun in us! Encourage yourself in the Lord as David did. “Lord, I thank you for giving your life for me. I praise you that you are in control and I am not! I remember when you did this and this for me and you came and ministered to me in such a special way. Thank you that you promised to never leave me nor forsake me. Thank you that you know me better than I know myself and that the plans you have for me are good plans; to prosper me and not to harm me according to Jeremiah 29:11”. Soon, you will be rejoicing as the presence of the Lord overwhelms you. Remember…he Loves YOU with an everlasting love. He redeemed YOU and set you free!
Gods not done with you . There is Power in the Name of Jesus With the Holy Ghost ye shall receive Power We need the Holyghost to have Power to Overcome .
I have been fighting enemy thoughts that I am not truly saved…that I don’t really believe. If I did, I wouldn’t be going through this. I have prayed that God would take this from me and take over my mind but He doesn’t. Now I can’t even feel God’s presence. It feels like He is done with me
Good morning! In reading the Old Testament one thing God told the children of Israel to remember is Egypt. He told them not only to remember where they had come from( the condition, the environment, the slavery, their bondage), but also to remember with what power He operated in in delivering them. Just looking in Deuteronomy ch 15-16, from I counted this morning, He tells them to remember Egypt 4times. Another weapon in finding your security is remembering. God gives us landmarks in our lives so that not only do we have His word to keep us, but we also have the real life testimony through our personal experience with Him. God gives us landmarks to remember. In the Word you notice that when people had different encounters with God they would set up altars and name them because of that experience. One Experience is Jacob’s experience of seeing the ladder set up on the earth with angels descending and ascending upon it and there it says :Genesis 28:13-19 King James Version (KJV)
13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
After He had this fellowship with God, He took the stone that He used as his pillow and set it up as a pillar, anointed it and called it Bethel, The place of God, The house of God.
If you need to, go back to place you got saved. Go physically back to the place where your life and encounter with Christ took place. Go back physically to the landmarks of your salvation. Literally go back if you are able. The enemy wants to take you mind and memory. He wants us to forget. That is why God says remember. I can go on and on and on because I want you to be free from that lie. I was there, I battled with it. People and their theology about God and my salvation. But thing remains, no man can still the experiences that God has personally done and shown in my life to build my trust and relationship with Him. He took the time out of His eternity to have divine appointments with me that I can continue in His divine love. That I may be personally assured.
God bless you Dee.
Please excuse any typos I have to get ready for work and did not proof read.
No, God’s not done with you. The devil just lied to you. You know what? Jesus Christ cannot go to the cross a second time. He’s through with the work of redemption. Just believe it, and live your life every day with that knowledge. You don’t need to feel it to believe it. It’s a faith thing. And, you don’t even have to be perfect to believe it. No. It doesn’t mean you’ll be sinning intentionally. But, every day, wake up and have communion with God by worshipping Him, reading His Word and praying simple prayers, as it is in your heart and as if you can see Him face to face. That’s all. Then you’ll begin to see the Holy Spirit do awesome things in your life. The Christian faith is as simple as that. Then, whenever you make any mistake ask Him for forgiveness and move on.
I hope this has helped you. You’re mightily blessed.