Strongholds (Part 2)

2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 gives us two important things that help us to tear down strong holds.  The first one is bringing our thoughts into conformity with Christ's and the second one is obedience to His Word.

 

2 Corinthians10:4,5 “...the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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…”

Jesus Christ is the model of what God considers typical for the new-creation man.  When our thought life is in agreement with unbelief, fear or habitual sin, the enemy has rest and seeks out those places that are in harmony with his environment. Therefore we must learn to look objectively at any thoughts or attitudes that fail to conform to the likeness and teachings of Jesus.  Those thoughts must be captured and wrong attitudes crucified. To bring down or cast down the "stronghold of our past experiences" we must let God be found true and every man a liar.

 

Romans 3:4 “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That you may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when you are judged.”

 

The only one who has the right to shape our lives is Jesus Christ.  We must determine to allow nothing and no one to shape us, not even our personal experiences unless they are consistent with the promises of God. 

 

The Father's goal in breaking the strongholds in our lives is much more than simply seeing our burdens or the devil taken off our backs.  The specific purpose, toward which God steers the working of all things in our lives, is our conformity “…to the image of His Son.”

 

The way to realize God's ultimate victory is to reach toward His ultimate goal, which is complete transformation into the likeness of Christ.  We must recognize that it is not you that the devil is afraid of, it is Christ in You!

Victory begins with the name of Jesus on our lips.  It is consummated by the nature of Jesus in our hearts. If you are troubled by fear, resentment, depression, sinful thoughts, apathy, or whatever, submit those areas to God, repenting of your unbelief and then yield yourself to Christ's faith within you. Present those areas of sin to God, repenting of your old nature, drawing upon the forgiveness of Christ and His purity of heart.

We must learn that on a personal level, it is better to develop godly virtues than to spend our day praying against the devil.  As we continually yield ourselves to Christ, surrendering ourselves by faith to His nature and His words, we literally build the impenetrable stronghold of His Presence around us.  The way into the fortress of the Almighty is simple. Victory begins with the name of Jesus on our lips. It is consummated by the nature of Jesus in our heart.

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 authority 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!