DEALING WITH THE STRONGHOLDS.
Source: dominicaexplorer.com
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 (KJV)
Let us discuss "DEALING WITH STRONGHOLDS". These are Satan's footholds through which he attacks believers.
When we come to Christ and become God’s children, Satan mobilizes his armies against us to pull us down (back) to his camp. But if we give Satan a place in our lives then he will build his strong-hold for his attack.
“Neither give place to the devil.” The Greek word translated place here is "Topos”, meaning (piece of ground). If we give Satan a small ground, he mounts an intensive attack against believers. Ephesians 4:27
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According to our passage what is the STRONGHOLD?
A stronghold can be anything that can give the enemy a launching pad against the believer.Those personal conflicts that we fight against the enemy. Sometimes we keep them secretive because we don’t want anybody to know what we are going through.
Source: www.ugchristiannews.com
They are:
- Those sinful habit that bind us to the ground and we cannot seem to get victory over them.
- Those unholy passions or uncontrollable desire that the enemy is using to nail us every time we want to rise up and serve the Lord.
Things like:
• Sexual impurities
• Fear and doubt, worry, anxiety.
• Pride
• Gluttony
• Disobedience – rebellion
• Ignorance
These are the stronghold through which Satan fights us and these strong hold takes its root in our mind and thought life.
Before our repentance we all have evil thoughts and unregenerate minds. The Lord expects that when we come to Him we should surrender our lives, minds, everything Him. Proverbs. 23:26, Romans. 6 12-3, 12:1-2.
But when we fail to do this our unregenerate thought will form a stronghold to Satan who will fight us through it.
Now let us discuss how the sins can be weapon in the hand of Satan to destroy us?
Sexual lusts- Satan has succeeded in using this to destroy many Christians today:
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 1 Corinthians 6:9
For fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 1Timothy 1:10
Many Christians today both married and unmarried have been trapped by Satan through lust.
If you are having problem with lust, that is a stronghold you must pull down. 2 Tim 2:22; 1 Thess. 4:7
Source: thegistday.com
Notice any sin we commit cracks the wall of protections in our lives and opens a door for Satan to a hold in our lives.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)