Breaking Down Strongholds

“For 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (II Corinthians 10: 4 – 6)

Spiritual strongholds refer to those areas of thought that are contrary to the will of God. They are entrenched habits of conduct that result.

Descriptively the pattern for developing them over years is:
A stronghold starts with a thought;
A thought becomes an idea;
An idea becomes an attitude;
An attitude becomes an action;
An action, if repeated, becomes a habit;
A habit becomes a stronghold.

Note, it all starts with a thought. Of course, Scripture confirms it: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he”. (Proverbs 23: 7)

As it is a thought that starts the building of a stronghold it is a thought that initiates breaking down one. An action for doing it requires setting a goal and establishing a pattern for doing it. Step one, do you think you have an unacceptable spiritual and behavioral stronghold? Is there an attitude or action unpleasing to the Lord? If so, go back and read the Scripture above that initiates this Post. Focus on “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God….”

Don’t overlook the companion to a stronghold is the defense tower of “arguments” against the logic of what God wants to enable you to do and to become. The source of every such argument is against God. If not, from where does the resistant argument come other than from the devil.

“Stronghold” means “to make firm.” It is used metaphorically in II Corinthians 10:4, of those things in which mere human confidence is imposed. An argument is a defense of that position.

To cast down a stronghold and overcome an aberrant thought insert a “God thought” on the subject before leaving it. Superimpose the God thought on the topic before going on to another. Do this every time the stronghold and an overpowering evil thought comes up. Slam it!

A contrast of thought patterns is noted in Proverbs 15: 26: “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant.” You chose which thought pattern is to prevail. Choose wisely because that thought will become your character, the real you. 

“Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12: 21)

“For whosoever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even your faith.” (I John 5: 4)

What do you think?