Strongholds are walls or fortresses around beliefs and emotions to protect us from further pain. An important part of healing and transforming the deep wounds, requires divinely pulling down the strongholds.
(Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_Biblical_definition_of_a_stronghold#ixzz1dbsQDwoe)
A stronghold is a faulty thinking pattern based on lies and deception. Deception is one of the primary weapons of the devil, because it is the building blocks for a stronghold. What strongholds can do is cause us to think in ways which block us from God's best. (http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/strongholds.php)
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.4For 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, 5[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)
This scripture speaks volumes to me about the war waging inside our minds.
Verse 3 explains even though we are walking, talking, flesh and blood, we cannot physically fight the war going on today. The war is inside each of us. And using man made weapons will not work in our battles.
Verse 4 Again no physical weapon or physical act can battle in the war we each face.
Only God can win and destroy the strongholds each of us have.
Verse 5 Our battle always begins in our minds with our arguments, theories, and reasoning's. These beliefs are either for God or for Satan. There is no gray area or middle ground. You cannot serve both.
Verse 4 Again no physical weapon or physical act can battle in the war we each face.
Only God can win and destroy the strongholds each of us have.
Verse 5 Our battle always begins in our minds with our arguments, theories, and reasoning's. These beliefs are either for God or for Satan. There is no gray area or middle ground. You cannot serve both.
strong·hold - noun:-
1.A place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.
2.A place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld.
3. an example of a stronghold is the hill fort, a large structure, with walls made of wooden stakes, and built on a steep hill.
Do you live in a home surrounded by high walls? A moat? A gated doorway so big that teams of men must be used to open or close the entryway? Do you have watch towers to look out for the enemy?
A home described like this reminds us of the stories we've read/heard of castles and wars of the olden days. So a home fortified to protect against many, sometimes hundreds of individuals in lieu of an attack was very common in our history. But today? We no longer fortify physically like we did back then. Instead we start strongholds inside of us...
1.A place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.
2.A place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld.
3. an example of a stronghold is the hill fort, a large structure, with walls made of wooden stakes, and built on a steep hill.
A home described like this reminds us of the stories we've read/heard of castles and wars of the olden days. So a home fortified to protect against many, sometimes hundreds of individuals in lieu of an attack was very common in our history. But today? We no longer fortify physically like we did back then. Instead we start strongholds inside of us...
Today we fortify at a very young age inside of ourselves. We grow up watching others hurt, be hurt or hurt us and start the protection building inside of us. We become warped by our own sense of self and survival needs. We soon build some many walls inside our minds and hearts, we cannot even figure out who we are. During this building and confusion of who we are and what we want, we lose what really matters- the truth. The one and only undeniable truth.
John 8:31-32 31So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.32And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
2 Samuel 22:2 (Wycliffe Bible (WYC)) And David said, The Lord is my stone, and my strength/and my stronghold, and my saviour;
2 Samuel 22:2 (AMP) 2He said: The Lord is my Rock [of escape from Saul] and my Fortress [in the wilderness] and my Deliverer;
In today's society we have so many options, so many 'truths' to choose from, so many opinions, so many options. We have become 'open minded' and allowed more exceptions than nots.There aren't many lines to cross anymore. And the ones left are so close that we often have no issue or lack concern when another line is crossed.
We make excuses for those who go outside the perimeters of truth... "Well, you know, that is how he is.."
We forgive because it is their life, not ours... "As long as she doesn't try to push it on me, it's her choice.."
We ignore because it's normal.. "Everyone is doing it today.."
We let it go because we want to be included or liked... "If I don't agree or join then they will not like me.."
Two very destructive and common strongholds
The first one, where you see God incorrectly:
One of the most popular and devastating strongholds to have, is an incorrect image in your mind of who God is, and how He sees us. People who see God as a taskmaster, live their lives with an unhealthy fear of God. There's a good kind of fear of God, which is more like a holy respect for Him, but there's another kind of fear that is very unhealthy that the enemy wants us to have, and it's the kind of fear where we see God as a taskmaster, cruel, cold, distant, uncaring and would snap the whip at us the moment we step out of line. People who are afraid they've committed the unpardonable sin are almost guaranteed to have this stronghold. People who find it hard to feel God's love and presence, often have this stronghold too. If you feel God is distant and cold, or question if God loves you, then you need to get this stronghold torn down.
The second one, where you see yourself incorrectly:
People who suffer from this have a hard time seeing the new person that they are now in Christ Jesus, and often suffer from low self-esteem. They don't understand what Christ did for them, and how it applies to their own life. Common symptoms of this stronghold are guilt feelings (questioning if you've really been forgiven of your sin(s)), low spiritual esteem (they feel like sinners, not saints), they lack spiritual confidence that we are supposed to have in Christ Jesus, they may still struggle with sin (Jesus said that if you keep in His Word, which tears down strongholds, you will be free from the power sin has over you - John 8:31-34), and overall you don't feel 'worthy' spiritually and lack the joy of the Lord in your life.
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 strong holds."
Strongholds are birthed and dwell in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth in God's Word on the scene. You debunk 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, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."). What is our primary offensive weapon? The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17, "...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."). Truth dispels deception and lies, and therefore the more truth you bring into a situation, the more the darkness must flee. This is where it's important to grow in God's Word, is because it is your primary weapon for tearing down the strongholds of deception that the enemy has been feeding you.
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!
(http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/strongholds.php)
2 Samuel 22:2 (Wycliffe Bible (WYC)) And David said, The Lord is my stone, and my strength/and my stronghold, and my saviour;
2 Samuel 22:2 (AMP) 2He said: The Lord is my Rock [of escape from Saul] and my Fortress [in the wilderness] and my Deliverer;
In today's society we have so many options, so many 'truths' to choose from, so many opinions, so many options. We have become 'open minded' and allowed more exceptions than nots.There aren't many lines to cross anymore. And the ones left are so close that we often have no issue or lack concern when another line is crossed.
We make excuses for those who go outside the perimeters of truth... "Well, you know, that is how he is.."
We forgive because it is their life, not ours... "As long as she doesn't try to push it on me, it's her choice.."
We ignore because it's normal.. "Everyone is doing it today.."
We let it go because we want to be included or liked... "If I don't agree or join then they will not like me.."
Two very destructive and common strongholds
The first one, where you see God incorrectly:
One of the most popular and devastating strongholds to have, is an incorrect image in your mind of who God is, and how He sees us. People who see God as a taskmaster, live their lives with an unhealthy fear of God. There's a good kind of fear of God, which is more like a holy respect for Him, but there's another kind of fear that is very unhealthy that the enemy wants us to have, and it's the kind of fear where we see God as a taskmaster, cruel, cold, distant, uncaring and would snap the whip at us the moment we step out of line. People who are afraid they've committed the unpardonable sin are almost guaranteed to have this stronghold. People who find it hard to feel God's love and presence, often have this stronghold too. If you feel God is distant and cold, or question if God loves you, then you need to get this stronghold torn down.
The second one, where you see yourself incorrectly:
People who suffer from this have a hard time seeing the new person that they are now in Christ Jesus, and often suffer from low self-esteem. They don't understand what Christ did for them, and how it applies to their own life. Common symptoms of this stronghold are guilt feelings (questioning if you've really been forgiven of your sin(s)), low spiritual esteem (they feel like sinners, not saints), they lack spiritual confidence that we are supposed to have in Christ Jesus, they may still struggle with sin (Jesus said that if you keep in His Word, which tears down strongholds, you will be free from the power sin has over you - John 8:31-34), and overall you don't feel 'worthy' spiritually and lack the joy of the Lord in your life.
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 strong holds."
Strongholds are birthed and dwell in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth in God's Word on the scene. You debunk 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, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."). What is our primary offensive weapon? The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17, "...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."). Truth dispels deception and lies, and therefore the more truth you bring into a situation, the more the darkness must flee. This is where it's important to grow in God's Word, is because it is your primary weapon for tearing down the strongholds of deception that the enemy has been feeding you.
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!
(http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/strongholds.php)
No comments:
Post a Comment