Dealing With Strongholds - Breaking Free
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."
Sermon Outlines, Audio Sermons & Podcasts
Breaking Free From Strongholds
This is just a sample, abbreviated Outline.
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Dealing With Strongholds PDF - Word - Audio - Podcast
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This entire series is available from iTunes as well and can also be downloaded as a podcast onto your ipod. Click here now or on the graphic to the left.
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.
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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
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- Depression
- Anxiety
- Lukewarmness
- Sinful thoughts
- Lust
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- Pride
- Greed
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Pornography
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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 Pulling Down Strongholds.
- 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!
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