MIND WARS: STRONGHOLDS

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, II Corinthians 10:4

REFERENCE
II Corinthians 10:3-5

The dictionary defines a stronghold as “A place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld.” This place is strongly fortified to protect it from attack. As established from yesterday’s study, there is a spiritual battle that takes place in the believer’s mind. The devil who is a master at deception, constantly attacks our minds with his lies just to mess up our minds. These consequently affect our marriages, our habits, our relationships, our families, our jobs, make us displease God and ultimately drag us in the path of destruction. Accepting and believing satan’s lies long enough forms strongholds in our minds that keep us under his control.

So, Strongholds in our context are wrong thoughts and perceptions, contradicting the true knowledge and nature of God. They are incorrect thinking patterns based on falsehood. They are lies that we have believed for too long, e.g., “The poorer a Christian is the more spiritual he is,” “For a woman to like you, you first need to make money,” “Marriage is a necessary evil,” “It is impossible to become rich legitimately,” “My parents don’t like me,” “I am a failure,” “Something is wrong with my spouse,” “It is always my fault,” “My situation is hopeless”…etc. Although these thoughts and perceptions come mostly in our growing years, through superstitious beliefs, experiences we had and made conclusions about, and lies told us by people who occupy the place of authority in our lives, the devil is ultimately behind all of them. Eventually, they grow and gain strength in our minds through the years, becoming a practiced way of thinking and an automatic way of living.

The devil had such a stronghold in my life; he made me think money was the only way to have progress or to matter in life.  Therefore, in my mid-twenties, I remember always being frustrated and afraid that my life will mean nothing nor progress until I made money. My whole life from that point was focused on money; I made it my god. But, all of that changed when the Word of God in Romans 1:17 penetrated my spirit; from then on I began to see myself as a just man who should live and make progress by FAITH and not by MONEY.

Since strongholds are incorrect thinking patterns based on error, the divine weapon we are to use to tear them down is the Truth – God’s Word. John 17:17 refers to the Word of God as the truth. So, when Satan attacks your mind with a lie, about something, you have to counter that lie with what the Word says about that thing; that way, it will be hard for him to build a stronghold in your mind or control the way you act and live. It is only the truth that would set you free and keep you in perpetual victory over the war against your mind. Strongholds are built on error, but they are torn down with the Truth.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY
John 8:31-32, Ephesians 6:12-13, 17, & II Timothy 2:15

TO DO
+ Reflect on the areas of your life that incorrect thinking patterns have formed strongholds, and then use the weapon of the Word relating to those areas to tear them down completely.

+ Pray for grace to continue abiding in the Word of truth.