Strongholds, this word is very descriptive and deceptive. Often we hear the Greek translation as "Ochyroma" meaning "fortress". But did you know it also translates as "prison"? Which makes sense when we discuss the traps the enemy uses to fortify strongholds and keep us in bondage of worldly sins while he attempts to devour our salvation. He uses these schemes to keep us running from God or trick us to believing God is already there with us. He is cunning and by using the most common traps of Pride, Fear and Worry, he will keep winning more divorces, destroyed families and consumed individuals. My experience with these are all too common. My wife and I have to battle the fear and worry demons daily as we try to sort out our relationship. The enemy tempts us almost daily with something new and we are learning his tricks. 2 Corinthians 2:11, "so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes."
We want to be aware that Satan wants dominion over our lives, when it should be God. Some of the examples of the enemies strongholds he uses to gain this dominion are: worry, all kinds of fears, anxiety, insecurity, rejection, loneliness, depression, discouragement, doubt, unbelief, shame, guilt, grief, loss of hope, loss of vision, unworthiness, pride, bitterness, unforgiveness, rebellion, stubbornness, jealousy, religious error, doctrinal error, judgmental thoughts, deception, delusion, control, manipulation, lust, sexual impurity, all forms of addiction and compulsive behavior, etc. We cannot give in to these manipulative advances, we must stand tall, reach to our savior and let Him pull us out, choose Jesus. Psalm 27:1, The Lord is the stronghold of my life.
We must arm ourselves for these spiritual battles. To do this we need a few simple things, Faith, Prayer, a Bible and fellow Warriors. If you are married you and your spouse will need these more than ever, as the enemy is constantly looking for a way to tear your marriage and family apart. He knows if he can win these battles this would be the downfall of Man and he believes God. However God I believe is using Satan to open the eyes of people so they will run to Him. Our Father allows us to see the destruction the enemy is causing and then stretches to us offering salvation. It's our choice to reach back or not. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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.
Put on the Full Armor of God and prepare for battle. God will be your General and in the end the enemy will have no choice but to flee the battle. Let God fight for you. He wants this task and you need Him. Ephesians 6:10-17, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
I am borrowing today's prayer from Mark Wilson, it is comprised of various scriptures and is very powerful in breaking strongholds.
Let's Pray:
– GIFTS — “Jesus Christ took the sins of the world upon Himself and He experienced death for every individual person (Heb 2:9), for both believers and unbelievers (1Jn 2:2) and Jesus Christ gave life to the world (Jn 6:33, 1 Cor 15:22) and God gave gifts to the world (Eph 4:8).
It was God in Jesus Christ reconciling and restoring the world to favor
with Himself, not counting the world’s trespasses against them but
canceling them (2Co 5:19, Rom 5:10) and making purification for sins (Heb 1:3).
For our sake God made Jesus Christ to be sin who knew no sin, so that
IN Jesus Christ we might become the righteousness of God (2Co 5:21, Rom 3:21). Through Jesus Christ God reconciled everything in Heaven and on Earth back to Himself in peace (Col 1:20).
– LAW — The sting (judicial process) of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law (1Co 15:56). Apart from the law sin lies dead (Rom 7:8). We (Christians) uphold the law! (Rom 3:31) Where there is no law there is no transgression of it (Rom 4:15). Sin is not counted where there is no law (Rom 5:13).
Through His cross Jesus Christ created peace between us and God and He
reconciled us to God by removing the hostility between us and God which
was created by the law (Eph 2:14-16). Jesus Christ redeemed (released) us from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13, Heb 9:12, Rom 7:5-6). Jesus Christ ended the law (Rom 10:4).
– SIN — Jesus Christ subdued and overcame sin (Rom 8:3). Jesus Christ put away and abolished sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb 9:26). By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, God condemned sin (Rom 8:3) and acquitted all men and gave them right standing with God (Rom 5:18). Sin has no dominion over us because we are under grace (Rom 6:14)
– DEATH — “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? (judicial process)” (1Co 15:55). Death can no longer sting (judicial process) us (1Cor 15:56). Death you could not hold Jesus Christ (Acts 2:24). Now Jesus Christ ALONE holds the keys to death and Hades (Rev 1:18). Death is destroyed (2Tim 1:10). Jesus Christ destroyed the devil’s work (1 Jn 3:8), He brought the devil to nought and made him of no effect (Heb 2:14). He disarmed and triumphed over them (Col 2:15), Jesus Christ led them captive (Eph 4:8) and you have been gathered into a pit/dungeon (Is 24:21-22). devil, may NO fruit EVER come from you again (Matt 21:19). Get behind me satan, you are in my way! (Matt 16:23), in the Name of Jesus Christ.”
– GRACE — God’s grace (His undeserved and unmerited mercy and favor toward this world) has surpassed sin and death, it has increased more, it has superabounded and His grace reigns in this world! (Rom 5:21)
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