Destroying Strongholds (Part 3)

In this post I would like to emphasize our spiritual weaponry as we battle and destroy the strongholds in our life.  Since strongholds are a source of Satan's influence we must realize that we have to use "weapons" that are of a spiritual nature rather than carnal or fleshly.  2 Corinthians 10:4-5 outlines the nature of these weapons.

1. They are "mighty" through God
2. They are "empowered" by God
3. They are capable of "pulling down" strongholds

As you attack the strongholds in your life always be aware that you are battling the enemy for the spiritual success of your future.  And as a believer, you do have authority over the devil and you have been given power over all the enemy.  Luke 10:19 "Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."  Remember the devil is a foe that has been defeated, disarmed, and disabled!  We destroy the strongholds from a position of confidence and assurance.  We have to know that the enemy's power was destroyed when Jesus rose from the dead and we are now in a position to "do all things through Christ who strengthens us."

Our Spiritual Weaponry

We have several weapons available to us, but it becomes our responsibility to utilize them.  As with any weapon, it does no good if we don't know how to use them, or if we never pull them out!

1. The Written Word of God (John 8:32) -- This is a critical weapon in battling strongholds.  God's Word is vital when we face the enemy.  Jesus used it in Matthew 4 when Satan came to tempt Him, and we need to use it too.
2. The Name of Jesus (Philippians 2:9-10) -- Jesus' name is above all others!  And it is at His name that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord, and that includes the knee and tongue of our enemy!
3. The Blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7) -- It is through the blood of Jesus that we have redemption from sin.
4. The Present Day Ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-14) -- Jesus promised when the "Spirit of truth" comes, that He will guide us into all truth!  The ministry of the Holy Spirit will show us the truth of God's Word and enable us to defeat and destroy the strongholds.
5. Word of Our Testimony (Revelation 12:11) -- We are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony!  Share with someone today, what God has done for you and see how the enemy's stronghold will begin to crumble!
6. Prayer (1 John 5:14-15) -- This wonderful promise of God is that if we will ask any thing according to His will he hears us!  And if He hears us, we know we will have the petitions we ask for!  Start asking today for God to destroy the stronghold in your life!

These are powerful weapons in our battle against the enemy.  God has made them available for you to use so use them!  Do not allow the enemy to keep the stronghold in your life anymore...take a stand and with God's help and the weapons He has given, you will be a victor!

Destroying Strongholds (Part 2)

In part two of my message on "Destroying Strongholds," I want to cover what the enemy's plan is in regards to strongholds in your life and the sources from which strongholds are derived.  Before you can effectively destroy them, it is important for you to understand why they are there and what Satan's plans are when it comes to attacks and strongholds in you life.

The Enemy's Plan

The first thing that you need to know is that the enemy's plan is to establish a stronghold in a particular area of our life and then hold you in bondage to it as long as you will allow him to do so.  As long as this stronghold is left unchallenged, it will inhibit any spiritual growth in your life.  The most effective way of "challenging" the stronghold is to resist the devil by using the spiritual weapons of our warfare and putting him to flight!  God's Word promises us that "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."  This promise should give us the confidence to challenge and defeat the stronghold and its author, Satan.

Remember, a stronghold is a place where Satan's thoughts seem more credible than ours or God's!  That is why we cannot "give place to the devil," especially in our thought life.  It is through the thought life that Satan works on our will which in turn influences us to give in to the stronghold.  Satan will offer up an "endless" power of suggestion to our thought life.  If it isn't checked by the Word of God and cast down and brought into "captivity" to the obedience of Christ, it will grow and become worse and worse!  If we are not spiritually aware, we will naturally view the ideas and suggestions as "ours" and not Satan's.

The longer a stronghold remains the more difficult it is to deal with:  The progression of the stronghold is:

• First  we begin to make excuses for it
• Second, we begin to justify it
• Third, we begin to legalize it
• Fourth, we begin to fight to protect it

The Sources of Strongholds

Strongholds are derived from three different sources:

1. Experiences--What happened in our past is not the issue, but rather how we related to what happened.  How we deal with our experiences will produce bondage or promote freedom!
2. Environment--What is considered normal and acceptable in the world around us may be in direct conflict with the Word of God.  A part from Christ, these beliefs can become entrenched in our minds so as to form strongholds the enemy uses to keep us in bondage.
3. Error or False Conclusions--False information produces false conclusions in our thinking.  When we come to Christ, the truth of God's Word begins to deliver us from the false belief system that the world gave to us.  If this false belief system isn't replaced with the truth, then the abnormal way that we have acted in for so long, begins to seem normal and as a result we try to justify it by saying "well that's just the way I am."  Error must be replaced with Truth if the stronghold is to be destroyed.

Faith Principles For Destroying Strongholds

There are three scriptures that embody the faith principles for destroying the strongholds in your life:

1. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5--This passage instructs us to "bring thoughts into the captivity of Christ" and to live a life of obedience to God's Word.
2. James 4:7--This second step for destroying strongholds involves "submitting ourselves to God" and "resisting the devil."  This is a vital component in overcoming any sin or stronghold.
3. 1 Peter 5:9--As you continue to yield yourself to Christ, He will remove Satan's armor and will show you what you need to deal with that is a stronghold in your life.  As this happens you will begin to see that the weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God!

Strongholds do not need to consume your life and keep you in bondage.  There is freedom in Christ as we yield ourselves to Him and to the Truth of His Word.  Are you ready to get free today?  God's ready to set you free from any bondage you may have.

Destroying Strongholds (Part 1)

Today's post is the first in a series, on a topic many might want to avoid...and that is "strongholds."  There are many different strongholds present in the lives of people and even the believer has to wrestle with strongholds.  I believe strongholds are the leading cause of many emotional disorders and are a great hindrance to the believers spiritual growth.  That's why it is important to understand what a stronghold is and how they can be destroyed in your life.

What Are Strongholds?

A stronghold in our life is a source of Satan’s influence.  In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 the Apostle Paul identifies a stronghold 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. It is a mindset that causes us to accept things that we know are contrary to the will and Word of God.  It is important to recognize that when we speak of strongholds, we are not talking about random thoughts of temptation. We are talking about areas in your life that you are in bondage too and are having a hard time breaking loose from.  A clear definition of a stronghold would be "any area of your life where spiritual darkness reigns."  Spiritual darkness exists where there is an absence of spiritual light and truth.

How Strongholds Take Root

In order to fully understand how to destroy strongholds, it is first important that we understand how they take root in our lives.  Strongholds come from a worldly influence! 1 John 5:19 "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness."  Many strongholds are a result of an accumulation of worldly influences that are left uncrucified in our life.  Because we have a mindset that has, for the most part, been shaped by the ungodly environment in which we live it is easy for us to allow these influences to take hold of our lives.  As Christians the only suitable answer to this is the truth of the Word of God.

Common Strongholds Many Deal With

Just because we are Christians doesn't mean we are exempt from having strongholds in our lives.  These strongholds can include: fear, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness, depression, lust, pride, drugs, alcohol, pornography, and many others!  When you are identifying your strongholds, you have to begin with an examination of your heart; as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.  Any system of thinking that doesn't line up with the Word of God is potential for a stronghold which must be done away with.

Our Part In Destroying Strongholds

• We are to receive the light of the Word of God (The Word exposes the stronghold)
• We are to apply the Word of God (The Word opposes the stronghold)
• We are to exert the truth of the Word of God (Declaring the Word disposes the stronghold)

In future posts I will be covering in more detail how God's Word destroys strongholds.

The Power Of The Holy Spirit

More than ever before, the church needs to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit!  Because without it we will never be able to accomplish what God has called us to do.  As we look back in the book of Acts, it was only through the power of the Holy Spirit that the early church was able to grow and expand as it did. In this post, I want to answer the question why some people are afraid of the power of the Holy Spirit and why it is vital for the Holy Spirit's power to be at work in the life of every believer.

Why Some Are Afraid Of The Holy Spirit And His Power

There are many reasons that people shy away from or are out right afraid of the Holy Spirit's power.  Some of them include:

1. They witnessed what "ignorance" has produced in the past.  Just because people didn't know how to effectively use the power of the Holy Spirit in the past, doesn't discount its reality nor the need for its manifestation today.
2. They are afraid of any kind of demonstration.  God has demonstrated His power in many ways.  We have to be open to what God wants to do.
3. They are not sure if miracles still happen today.  God has not limited His miracle working power to just the early Church.  He still brings miracles today!
4. They don't want to change.  We get comfortable in our current place, but God is ready to move forward.  When God is ready to move, we need to be ready also.

God Established The Church On The Power Of The Holy Spirit

1. Every believer is to be endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
2. The Holy Spirit's coming in itself was a miracle (Acts 2:1-8).
3. The lives of the apostles were changed by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 3).  Peter went from a disciple of Jesus who denied Christ just prior to His death to an apostle who preached Jesus with boldness on the day of Pentecost.  He was able to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. The power of the Holy Spirit causes the unusual to happen in our lives (Acts 4:8-13, 29-31).
5. The power of the Holy Spirit cause "signs and wonders" to become common place to us (Acts 5:12-19).
6. There is no question as to whom we obey when the power of the Holy Spirit is operating in our lives (Acts 5:29).

Why You Need The Power Of The Holy Spirit

1. So the church can experience God's power.  You see, God works through people.  Since the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we become the channel for God's power.
2. So God can manifest to us who He is.  If we don't know who God really is, then how will we ever be able to effectively share with others who He is?  We each need a personal experience with Him and a demonstration in our life of who He really is. 

 What The Power Of The Holy Spirit Will Do For You

1. It will change your life and empower you.  Just as Peter was changed after the Holy Spirit came upon him, so to is our life!
2. It will give you a new perspective for life and ministry.  It's unfortunate that most Christians aren't interested in ministry.  It is the power of the Holy Spirit that will change that.
3. It will give you a heart and desire for ministry.  Every believer will find their place in the Body of Christ when they become empowered by the Holy Spirit.
4. It will give you the confidence you need for ministry.  The Holy Spirit gives us a boldness and confidence that we can do what God has called us to do.

God's greatest desire is for His children to operate with all He has provided.  Jesus was very clear when He told the disciples that He would send "another Comforter," the Holy Spirit, to enable them to carry on the ministry that He began.  I encourage each and every one of you to embrace this wonderful gift of God, the power of the Holy Spirit!

A New Year With New Commitments

Let me start out by saying "Happy New Year" to everyone!  I pray that during 2012 you will "prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers!" (3 John 2).  I know that many will make new year's "resolutions" for changes in their lives in the coming year.  But unfortunately most will not last past the end of January!  That's why I want to offer you some suggestions about making "commitments" rather than "resolutions."

Commitment is one of those words most people would like to remove from their "verbal" dictionaries.  Many think of commitment as something that is hard or difficult, but the reality is that all of us are committed to something.  The question becomes, are we committed to the right things?


Four Reasons Why Commitment Is Difficult:

1. Because it requires us to make a definitive decision
2. Because it requires change and most people don't like change
3. It brings a "restructuring" of your life and time
4. It requires due diligence and self-discipline

 Five Keys To Commitment:

1. Our commitment must be "Christ-centered" (1 Corinthians 10:31)
2. To be committed we must make the study of God's Word a priority (2 Timothy 2:15)
3. Set your affections on things above (Colossians 3:2)
4. Take Satan seriously because his goal is to "distract" you (Ephesians 6:12)
5. Be determined (1 Corinthians 2:2 & Daniel 1:8)

Our Major Commitments In Life:

1. Be Committed To God First!  (Mark 12:30 & Matthew 6:33)  Real commitment doesn't have an off and on switch.  If we are really committed to God, It will show.  Others will see the fruits of our commitment.
2. Be Committed To Your Church (Hebrews 10:25)
• Committed in church attendance
• Committed to church growth
• Committed to your church's needs
• Committed to soul winning
3. Be Committed To The Lord's Will
• Establish your priorities.  Make God and His Word the most important "value" that you have.
• Establish a schedule each day to read God's Word, pray, and help someone else.
• Make your family a priority.  Find time to spend with your family, spouse, children, or grandchildren.

Why a Committed Christian Is A Conquering Christian

1. They view hindrances as opportunities (1 Corinthians 16:8-9)
2. They live a sacrificial life
3. They accept the position God places them in
4. They are a spiritual warrior (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

What commitments are you making in 2012?  Are you committed to following Christ or yourself?  The most important commitment you can make is to follow God and put Him first in every area of your life!  I challenge you today, to make the commitment that in 2012 you will seek to conform your life to God's principles and to serve Him as a faithful ambassador.  God bless you in this new year!