STRONGHOLDS
FOR THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD TO THE PULLING DOWN OF STRONGHOLDS; CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS AND EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTEH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.
Satanic strongholds are thoughts that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. They are commonly established in “lofty locations” in the minds of individuals who lack godly knowledge and spiritual understanding. In reality they are all “fortifications” that have been established by the enemy of the soul in the minds of individuals.
Many satanic strongholds in the minds of individuals are rooted and grounded in perversion, confusion, corruption, and compromise. All satanic strongholds exalt themselves against the knowledge of God and war against the soul. Every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God was conceived by the fruit that grows on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Adam and Eve lost the first “spiritual battle” on earth when they “partook” of the “forbidden fruit” which grew on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Mankind has lost many spiritual battles since “the fruit” from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil became part of their spiritual sustenance.
Beguilement and deception are among the Devil’s greatest weapons. The fruit on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is tempting and appealing to the flesh. However, it is filled with deadly poisons. Death, fear, and torment are among the consequences people suffer from eating the forbidden fruit.
FIGHTING SPIRITUAL BATTLES
Everyone on earth in one way or another will fight spiritual battles. Everyone may not always understand they are being attacked by the Forces of Darkness that are assailing them spiritually, physically and emotionally. However, all will suffer attacks from the enemy of their souls at times.
We hear such terms as fighting addictions, fighting cancer, fighting depression, and/or other physical or emotional problems. All these “attacks” are satanically engendered and promoted. The Bible tells us that the Devil walks about as a “roaring lion” seeking whom he may devour. No one on earth is exempt from the “attacks,” schemes, and wiles of the enemy. If you are breathing, sooner or later you will be a target of the Devil and his angels.
Without knowledge and understanding people do not have a “prayer” of defeating the enemy of their souls. Without proper education and training regarding “spiritual warfare,” no one can be victorious over their spiritual enemies. Those who do not know Christ most often do not even know they have a “spiritual enemy” trying to destroy them or tempt them to sin.
KNOWLEDEGE IS POWER. Knowing that we have an enemy is the first step in finding peace and freedom from oppression. If we realize there are “spiritual forces” at work in our lives trying to hinder our peace and keep us in bondage, we can research ways to defeat them. Casting down imaginations and every “lofty thought” that exalts itself above the knowledge of God is imperative if Christians are going to live in peace and walk harmoniously with God.
GODLY POWER
BEHOLD I GIVE YOU POWER TO TREAD ON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY: AND NOTHING BY ANY MEANS SHALL HURT YOU. Luke 19:21.
Godly wisdom, knowledge, and understanding produce GODLY POWER. The Bible tells us that the word of God is alive and more powerful than any two- edged sword. Our spiritual weapons are weapons of Light and Life. The Bible tells us that “the word of God is alive.” The word of God is a weapon. The word of God is like a “consuming fire” that vanquishes our spiritual enemies.
Spiritual darkness has no recourse against LIGHT AND LIFE. No weapon that is used against Light and Life can or will ever prosper. The Light and Life of Christ within us is the divine power that enables us to defeat the Forces of Darkness. It is the Light and Life of Christ that enables us to tread upon and defeat the Forces of Darkness.
Darkness cannot prevail against Light. When the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep God declared “Let there be Light” and the Light dispelled the darkness. Nothing is more powerful than the Light of the word of God. Nothing is this world is more powerful than Light.
Jesus said “I am the Light of the world.” It is Christ in us that dispels the darkness of this world. It is Christ in us that gives us “Life” more abundantly. It is the Life of Christ within us that gives us power over all the works of the enemy.
It is the Light of Christ that enables us to “cast down imaginations and every high thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” We demolish and cast down imaginations with the word of God. Our words are our most powerful weapons. There is power in the “spoken word” of God. There is power in the name of Jesus who, according to the Bible, is the Word of God. There is power in the blood of Jesus which He shed at Calvary to wash away our sins and give entrance to the Light and Life of Christ into our lives.
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty “through God” to the pulling down of strongholds. Satanic strongholds are edifices of darkness built upon, among other things, suppositions, confusion, perversion, and deception. Satanic strongholds oppose and exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. They continue to keep in captivity the hearts and minds of individuals who lack and/or reject godly knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
It is the “knowledge of the truth” that sets us free from the bondage of satanic strongholds. It is the knowledge of the truth that transforms us into the image of Christ and sets us free from the bondage of satanic strongholds. It is “the truth” we know, understand, acknowledge, and submit to that builds strongholds of faith and godly character within us. The Bible tells us that “Jesus is the Truth.” It is Jesus that sets us free. If the Son sets us free we are “free indeed.” (John 8:36). Christ is the only pathway to freedom from satanic strongholds.