Francis
Frangipane writes in one of his books, "What men call "salvation" is
simply the first stage of God's plan for our lives, which is to conform
us in character and power to the image of Jesus Christ. If we fail
to see our relationship to God as such, we will allow too many areas
within us to remain unchanged. Pulling down strongholds is the
demolition and removal of these old ways of thinking so that the actual
Presence of Jesus Christ can be manifested through us."
This is just a sample, abbreviated
Outline.
You can download the entire Outline by clicking on the links below
in
either PDF or Word formats:
Dealing With
Strongholds PDF - Word - Audio - Podcast
|
What Are Strongholds.
A stronghold
can be a source of protection for us from the devil, as is the case
when the Lord becomes our stronghold as it did for David. Or
conversely, a stronghold can be a source of defense for the devil's
influence in our lives, where demonic or sinful activity is actually
defended within our sympathetic thoughts toward evil.
Romans 6:16
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you
are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of
obedience to righteousness?
The apostle Paul defines strongholds as speculations or lofty things
raised up against the knowledge of God. It is any type of thinking
that exalts itself above the knowledge of God, thereby giving the devil
a secure place of influence in an individual's thought-life.
2 Corinthians
10:5 ...casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ...
Ed Silvoso defines a stronghold as a mindset impregnated with
hopelessness that causes us to accept something that we know is
contrary to the will of God.
It is important to recognize that when we speak of strongholds, we are
not talking about random thoughts or occasional sins. We are
talking about areas in your life that you are in bondage to and are
having a hard time breaking loose from.
Strongholds Come
From Worldly Influence -1 John 5:19.
Many strongholds are a result of an accumulation of uncrucified
thoughts and unsanctified attitudes that have ruled our lives during
our formative years. As children growing up in a world that is
under the influence and the sway of the enemy we received a steady
stream of information and experiences that continually shaped our
childhood perceptions. This is why the Bible says our minds need
to be renewed once we are born again of God's Spirit.
We have a mindset that has been shaped by our parents and educators as
well as the ungodly environment in which we live. As Christians,
the only truth suitable for eternity is the truth of Christ. If we
fail to realize this we will be like our teacher, never doing more than
the deeds of our fathers. When we come to Christ, all that we are
in nature and character is destined to change.
Common Strongholds
Many Deal With.
Just because we are Christians does not exempt us from having
strongholds that must be dealt with. There are still many
strongholds within us. I have listed a few strongholds that are
common to most Christians.
- Fear
- Resentment
- Bitterness
- Unforgiveness
- Apathy
- Unbelief
|
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Lukewarmness
- Sinful thoughts
- Lust
|
- Pride
- Greed
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Pornography
|
When identifying your strongholds, survey or examine the attitudes in
your heart, every area in your thinking that glistens with hope in God
is an area which is being liberated by Christ. Any system of
thinking that does not have hope, which feels hopelessness, is a
stronghold, which must be pulled down.
Faith Principles For
Breaking and Pulling Down Strongholds.
If you are looking for an easy 1-2-3 step plan to break demonoic strongholds in your life, you will not find it here. It really takes doing the following.
- We Bring Our Thoughts Into Captivity To
Christ's.
- Obedience Brings Us Into the Stronghold Of
Christ's Likeness.
- Building A Stronghold Of Christlikeness
Involves A Struggle.
The process of getting free of worldly and fleshly strongholds involves
a season of inner conflict and turmoil. This is a good sign,
signifying the desire of your will to be free. We should expect a
time where we must exercise our athority in Christ as we "resist" the
devil.
1 Peter 5:9
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about
like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast
in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your
brotherhood in the world.
As you continue to yield yourself to Christ, He will remove Satan's
armor from your mind. he will show you what you need to bring
down. You will see that the weapons of your warfare are mighty, to
the pulling down of strongholds!
|
