"Stronghold"
A STRONGHOLD IS NOT A DEMON!! Webster defines a “stronghold” as a
“fortified place”.
Demonic Strongholds – Things from satan’s kingdom
Conquer It’s Time We Understood Strongholds
A STRONGHOLD IS NOT A DEMON!! Webster defines a “stronghold” as a “fortified place”. Throughout the evangelical church, the word stronghold has carried with it a dark connotation.
Many of us have only heard the word stronghold in connection with the kingdom of Satan. But did you know that we can actually have Holy strongholds as well. Psalm 18:2 describes a stronghold in connection with the kingdom of God. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalm 18:2
The character of a stronghold is defined by the nature of what it’s protecting. If the stronghold is protecting something from the kingdom of Satan, then the stronghold is demonic. If the stronghold is protecting something from the kingdom of God, then the stronghold is Holy.
I have experienced the term stronghold as one that has been loosely tossed around the church. I have typically heard it sound like “stronghold of fear” or “stronghold of bitterness” or “stronghold of blue jeans” (yes I actually heard that one come from the pulpit). Though I have heard a lot of talk that includes the word stronghold, I have very rarely heard anyone take the time to explain what, exactly, a stronghold is. Many think and teach that strongholds need to be bound and cast out of our lives. In 2 Corinthians chapter ten Paul gives us a different perspective. He teaches us that strongholds aren’t like demons to be bound and cast out. Instead, Paul tells us that strongholds need to be pulled down, demolished or overthrown.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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
(In the amplified, the words “pulled down” are translated “overthrown and demolished”. The amplified bible also further explains “imaginations” as “arguments, reasoning’s and theories” and “high thing” as “proud and lofty”.) Paul shows us that strongholds consist of imaginations and every high thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. In other
words, a stronghold is anything that sets itself up against the truth. A stronghold is a lie. Paul is explaining to us that are systems of lies. The lies become the only reality we know. Therefore they are extremely well-fortified places that encompass our minds while our enemy (Satan) enslaves our hearts. Just recently the Lord showed me that I had a dark stronghold deep in my heart. It was shaped by the lie that told me that I needed entertainment to live and be happy. It caused me to compromise on books I read and shows/movies I watched. Because of the stronghold, my need for entertainment was greater than my need to stay Holy.
Has this been helpful for you in understanding strongholds? How is the Lord speaking to your heart through this? What have you believed all of your life that goes against the knowledge of God? What questions do you have?
Conquer Overcoming Strongholds for Breakthrough
Holy Stronholds – Things from God’s kingdom – God, His Word, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. – Psalm 18:2
Can strongholds be cast out of our lives?
Strongholds aren’t like demons to be bound and cast out. Instead, Paul tells us that Strongholds need to be pulled down, demolished or overthrown.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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 –
Corinthians 10:3-5
1. We are in a War –
a. The battle is Spiritual
2. We have weapons
a. Not carnal
b. Mighty weapons
3. Anatomy of a stronghold
a. Can be pulled down – “overthrown and demonlished”
b. Imaginations – “argument demolished”
c. High things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God – “proud
and lofty thing”
4. Overcoming strongholds
a. Bring thoughts captive to Christ
(In the amplified, the words “pulled down” are translated “overthrown and demolished”. The amplified bible also further explains “imaginations” as “arguments, reasoning’s and theories” and “high thing” as “proud and lofty”.)
1. Imaginations
2. Every high thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. In other words, a stronghold is anything that sets itself up against the truth. A stronghold is a lie. Paul is explaining to us that strongholds are systems of lies. The lies become the only reality we know. Therefore they are extremely well-fortified places that encompass our minds while our enemy (Satan) enslaves our hearts.
- I needed entertainment to live and be happy. Compromise on books I read and shows/movies we watch. Because of the stronghold, the need for entertainment is greater than our need to stay Holy.
- “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
- Our Weapons are mighty – 2 Corinthians 10:4
- we have been given a sword – Ephesians 6:17, Heb 4:12
- Word of God – scripture, visions, dreams, still small voice
- 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 6:18)
- Religious Strongholds – tongues are of the devil, can’t live 3 days without food and water
- American Strongholds – You can pray little, quiet prayers, Sunday only Christianity a form of godliness without power
- If the truth will set us free then lies will hold us in captivity
- What lies have you based your truth on? – I am ugly, Death is my hope, sex is ok What strongholds have you overthrown? –
- What have you believed all of your life that goes against the knowledge of God?
Prayer Points
- Lord, reveal the strongholds that have been operating in my mind, beliefs that are contrary to your truth that the enemy has used to hold me captive.
- Father help me replace all the lies I have held onto with truth,
- Lord, thank you for the mighty weapon you have given us of Your Word, which is truth.
- Lord, give me a greater hunger for your Word, help me read it and meditate on it daily.
- Father I repent of believing lies throughout my life, help me constantly wage war against lies and be diligent in replacing them.
- Reveal the strongholds that have gripped the American Church and help us tear down those strongholds
- Deliver us from Relational strongholds, relationships that have held us in bondage.
Conquer Those Strongholds!
We wrap up our discussion of strongholds by demolishing them!
Francis Frangipane writes in his book The Three Battlegrounds, “In speaking of spiritual warfare, the apostle Paul enlists the word “stronghold” (KJV) to define the spiritual fortresses wherein Satan and his legions hide and are protected. These fortresses exist in the thought patterns and ideas that govern individuals and churches, as well as communities and nations. Before victory can be claimed, these strongholds must be pulled down and Satan’s armor removed. Then the mighty weapons of the Word and the Spirit can effectively plunder Satan’s house.”
Paul instructs us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Paul is aware where the primary battle is waged (our minds) and he’s trying to teach this important doctrine to the church in Corinth. (Interesting to note that it was to the church Paul was writing to and not unbelievers. Christians can certainly have demonic strongholds.)
In 2 Corinthians 10:4 Paul talks about our weapons of warfare–what they are and what they are not. Our weapons are mighty and powerful enough to destroy strongholds but they are not physical. We can’t pick them up or use them in a physical way. What exactly is it that we have been given to wield during the warfare we are destined to face?
Paul tells us that we have been given a sword (Ephesians 6:17). But our sword is not physical (2 Corinthians 10:4). Instead our sword is described as the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 1:16). The word of God can come in a variety of ways (the bible, still soft voice spoken to our hearts, audible voice, dreams, visions etc.) and we know that it’s truth (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 6:18). The weapon we have been given to demolish strongholds is TRUTH! We overthrow our current false reality based on the deceitful whispers of Satan with the truth of God’s word. That’s why Jesus tells us that it’s those who know the truth that will be set free (John 8:32).
If the truth will set us free then lies will hold us in captivity. Satan’s goal is to hold every single person in captivity. He captures us by getting us to believe that the lies he creates are the only possible truth. Jesus tells us that Satan is the father of lies and that there is no truth in him (John 8:44). If we can understand that the issues tormenting us (addiction) have been established and protected by lies, we can finally begin to chase freedom with the hope that previously seemed all but lost.
In order to pull down and overthrow a stronghold we must expose it. We must discover what lies we have based our truth on.
What lies have you based your truth on?
What strongholds have you overthrown?