Highlights from Joyce Meyer’s book, Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind, Harrison House, Inc. Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2000.
This passage of scripture reminds us that children of God have weaponry that is not of the world.
The child of God has weapons with “divine power to demolish strongholds.”
What is a “stronghold?”
The literal meaning of stronghold is,
A place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack
Synonyms for stronghold are: fortress (A heavily protected and impenetrable building) - fort (A fortified building or strategic position) citadel (A fortress, typically on high ground, protecting or dominating a city.- castle - fastness – bulwark (a defensive wall)
In the spiritual sense, a stronghold is an incorrect thinking pattern that has molded itself into our way of thinking. Strongholds have the capability of greatly influencing our feelings, how we respond to various situations in life, and can play a large role in hindering our spiritual freedom.The enemy of our soul sets up fortresses, citadels, bulwarks, etc., that house old struggles, insecurities, fears and a host of other feelings and emotions. These strongholds seek to block the impact of prayer.
If we are not careful, we will view the stronghold as impenetrable. We will feel defeated even before we begin the conversation with God. But this façade is only meant to stop us from using the lethal weaponry of faith, trust, hope and prayer. “Strongholds” are only as strong as we allow them to continue to be. The Word of God reminds us,
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. II Corinthians 10: 4-5When the enemy comes in like a flood, raise up the standard of the Word of God against him. Our words alone are inadequate to defeat an ancient foe. But God’s Word is eternal. It is powerful, mighty and cannot be defeated.
What strongholds are seeking to imprison you? Shame? Past mistakes? Secret sins? Family or personal dysfunction? Jealousy? Unforgiveness? Foul language? The “what” does not matter. What matters is your awareness of the tactics that satan uses to try to keep you bound…telling you that your prayers won’t matter…telling you that you are too far gone…telling you that you will never be free.
All of those assertions are lies! As a child of God, you possess the power to be free…not through your own devices, but through Jesus Christ. Through His shed blood and resurrection power, the curses of sin and death have been broken. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36)While it may take specific steps to break through the strongholds (intentional and focused prayer, accountability partner(s), pastoral care and counseling, etc.) by the grace of God, faith and perseverance, you can be free.
Don’t allow your mind, heart and spirit to continue to be imprisoned in the enemy’s citadels. You can have victory and be free. Start your healing journey today. Use your God given spiritual weaponry of prayer, faith and obedience to the Lord. Seek the Lord for other godly individuals who can be a healthy, supportive and encouraging community. Study the Word and get involved in a community of faith that divides God’s Word rightly.
Practice speaking the Word of God over your life. Resist recounting those things that hinder your progress and your peace. Stand upon God’s promises. By His stripes, you are healed.
Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org
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