The Spirit of God desires each of you to break free from any demonic strongholds that are holding you hostage.
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They talk about weaponry, strongholds, high things, and capturing people.
  I believe it would be beneficial to think about the metaphor's metaphorical element a little further.
          &nbs The LORD is a stronghold in times of adversity for the oppressed.
In the history of Israel's conflicts, you can learn about the strategic value of strongholds.
  My family and I went to a place named Latrun in Israel a year ago.
  It is located just off the main highway leading up to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv and the airport.
That was the issue with this location: it was a fortress right on the main roadway.
  When the War of Independence broke out, the Arab Legion held the bastion of Latrun.
  They could pick off the caravans delivering supplies up to the Jews in Jerusalem from this vantage point.
This was a stronghold that had to be conquered!
It had a suffocating grip over Jerusalem!
  The fledgling Israeli Defense Forces attempted to take it five times in five different ways.
  The Arab Legion, the best British-trained warriors on the Arab side, has proven themselves time and time again.
  As a result, the Israelis construct a “Burma Road” around the stronghold, traversing tough terrain.
  Until 1967, the Arabs controlled this fortification, which was located just five kilometers from Ben-Gurion Airport.
  Nasser dispatched Egyptian troops to Jordanian garrisons shortly before the 1967 conflict.
  Featuring an impressive exhibition of Israeli army tanks that were purchased, manufactured, or captured.
  For the past two decades, that location has posed a threat to our people's safety in the heart of the country.
  How long has a stronghold in the center of your mental life jeopardized your security?
Is it possible?
Hey, David conquered Jerusalem and established it as his capital!
  Joab unlocked the citadel's gates by breaking through a tunnel that led to a spring.
“Even if Babylon climbs the sky and fortifies her lofty stronghold,” Jer 51:53 declares.
  As a result, he dispatched Cyrus and the Medo-Persians to capture the citadel.
  by diverting the city's river and marching in on the riverbank!
God knows everything there is to know about strongholds and how to take them down, and he'll show you how.
Do you ever want to quit up when you come up against a stronghold in your life?
Individuals who are eager to battle, people with courage, are the ones who capture strongholds!
  God will assist you if you ask for it. The Bible and the Holy Spirit will show you how. Amen?
One thing to remember about a stronghold is that it is a location, not a person.
The mind is the castle of the soul, and Satan and his henchmen aim to capture people's minds.
  However, mental fortresses can be disguised; wicked things lurk in the shadows.
“Have nothing to do with the unproductive deeds of darkness,” Ephesians 5:11 exhorts us.
  If you wish to allow God's light shine on the darkness, you must have a humble attitude.
“Test me, O LORD, and try me, probe my heart and my intellect,” David begged in Ps 26:2.
  If you don't want God to disclose any strongholds in your life, don't do it.
  Satan's armor is pride, which he uses to conceal demonic strongholds.
  Pride prevents individuals from seeing they are enslaved by evil forces.
After you've identified the stronghold, repentance is the next stage in bringing it down.
  Honesty before God is the best policy, and humbly allowing the Spirit to reveal the stronghold in the darkness is the best policy.
  You might need to put a stop to the tiny lawyer who emerges from a dark part of your mind.
  A frontal assault on a stronghold doesn't always appear to work. So, what are your options?
  With a frontal attack, Jewish warriors attempted to take the Old City of Jerusalem.
 However, as soon as they reached the Old City's gates, they were forced back.
  From the east, I've seen a photo of Israeli generals looking down on the Old City!
  They were able to cut off supplies and reinforcements after encircling the city.
  When the Jordanian general in the Old City discovered he was being pursued, he retreated.
“Resistance is pointless,” he knew, so he cut his losses and fled the city.
  After that, the Israelis were able to enter the city with little resistance.
  What was the game plan? March for seven days around the city, then blow your trumpets!
  As a result, they cut the city off from its supplies and the domain of darkness.
  What do you do when you're surrounded by a stronghold of negative thinking and awful old speculations?
How about some compliments?
    Psalms 32:7 “You are my safe haven; you will keep me safe from harm and surround me.”
  Praise God by singing psalms and spiritual hymns around the fortress.
There is a powerful approach to surround every bad stronghold with God's contrary truth.
  Surround yourself with hope if you're battling with a stronghold of depression.
  If you're having trouble with a stronghold of rejection, surround it with Abba's acceptance.
  If you're having trouble dealing with unresolved anger, try surrounding it with forgiveness.
  If you're fighting a fearful stronghold, surround it with the truth of God's love.
  If you're fighting a failing fortress, surround it with the triumph of the resurrection!
  Once you've recognized a stronghold, go to the Bible and look up the contrary truth that God has revealed.
  If rejection is your stronghold, read everything the Bible says about God's acceptance.
  With God's word, his resistance will swiftly wane, and if he isn't already gone, he will be soon!
  (If you can think of any area of chronic sin that is exacerbated by negative thinking, let me know.)
  Please forgive me for making a compromise. Give me the guts to demolish every stronghold I own.
  I bind any evil forces in my life that were encouraging compromise and sin.
  I submit to the light of the Spirit of Truth in order for any sin strongholds in me to be exposed.
  I declare that every evil stronghold is being demolished by the tremendous weapons of the Spirit and the Word!
  I intend to envelop this demonic stronghold in praise and affirming truth from God's Word.
  My goal is to capture every negative thought pattern and bring it to Messiah's obedience.
  By God's grace, I intend to persevere until even the remnants of this stronghold are destroyed.
  My intention is to think on what is real, noble, right, and pure.
  whatsoever is gorgeous, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy
  I intend, by God's grace, to construct one fortress within my mind and heart:
“The LORD's name is a sturdy tower; the righteous will go to it for safety.”
What are examples of spiritual strongholds?
Anything that has power over you is a spiritual stronghold. In a perfect world, it would be Jesus. However, we will all face strongholds that are fleshly wants throughout our lives.
The word “stronghold” appears in 2 Corinthians, when Paul is discussing spiritual battle.
The Greek word for fortress is ochyrma, which means “prison” in this context.
A spiritual stronghold is more than just sin; it's a form of enslavement. In this perspective, a stronghold is a natural urge in us that Satan twists to give sin authority over us.
Our spiritual strongholds are frequently kept hidden. As a result, the enemy exploits our stronghold and the secrecy surrounding it to instill dread and shame in us.
Our strongholds are frequently disguised as something beneficial, so we may not even realize what the enemy is up to. It could be something you don't trust God with or a goal you're trying to achieve on your own.
Examples of Strongholds
- Bitterness or a refusal to forgive. You contemplate vengeance or harbor animosity toward another. You're frequently enraged and bitter.
- Fear and obsessive worry. Worrying so much about your children, future, or finances that it takes away your joy.
- Addiction encompasses a wide range of behaviors, from substance abuse to being addicted to attention or praise.
- Despair, a whiny attitude, or a lack of confidence keep you from living for God.
How do you break strongholds in the Bible?
1. AUTHORITY Every Christian has the power to bind and take authority over Satan's operations by using the authority of Jesus' name. “No one may steal a strong man's goods until he first bonds the strong man, after which he will raid his house” (Mark 3:27). Give the demon a verbal command that he is shackled and must leave the fortress! The Devil's influence will be cast out when authority is used in Jesus' name. “And these signs will accompany those who believe: They will drive out demons in My name, and they will speak in new languages…” (Matthew 16:17)
What is the biblical meaning of spiritual warfare?
Spiritual warfare is the Christian concept of combating supernatural evil powers at work. It is founded on the biblical belief in evil spirits, often known as demons, who are thought to meddle in human affairs in a variety of ways. Although neo-charismatic churches emphasize spiritual warfare, other Christian denominations and groups have adopted behaviors based on spiritual warfare notions, with Christian demonology frequently playing a crucial role in these practices and beliefs.
Prayer is one of the most prevalent forms of “spiritual warfare” used by these Christians. Exorcism, the laying on of hands, fasting with prayer, praise and worship, and anointing with oil are examples of other practices.
Who is the strongman in the Bible?
This tale is included in the Beelzebul argument in the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, in which Jesus' opponents accuse him of earning his power to banish demons by collaborating with Satan. The powerful guy is Satan, while the attacker is Jesus, according to one interpretation. However, this is the polar opposite of what Jesus meant. The demon is the one that “binds” the strongman before seizing him in Matthew 12:22-29, as they bring Jesus a man afflicted by a demon. The demon has taken the strongman's life. Because of the possession, the demon had rendered the strongman blind (to the truth) and unable to communicate. For example, if a demon “blinds” a strong man from the truth of the 7th-day Sabbath of mentally resting on Saturday, he will be unable to think properly and logically (not mentally resting at the proper time, just like not sleeping for two or three days, a person will be unable to think straight), making him easier to deceive and influence (possession). Many people misunderstand this to suggest that Jesus binds the strongman, but it is the demon who binds him before possessing him (his now-possessed illogically-thinking mind, as many people, including many Christians and theologians, have).
As a result, Jesus claims that he couldn't perform exorcisms (represented by stealing the strong man's property) unless he was opposed to Satan and had vanquished him (represented by tying up the strong man). R. T. France and others see the tale as echoing the Book of Isaiah: “No one plunders a strong man,” according to Craig S. Keener, while R. T. France and others see the parable as echoing the Book of Isaiah:
What is a mental stronghold?
Strongholds are thought patterns that have been ingrained in your mind. They're referred to as “flesh patterns” by some. Memory traces seared into our minds over time or the intensity of traumatic experiences create these strongholds. They are akin to what psychologists refer to as defense mechanisms, and they invariably manifest themselves in a temperament that is less than Christlike. They resemble deep tire marks in a muddy field. The driver no longer has to steer once the ruts have been developed and dried over time. Any attempt to maneuver the car away from the ruts will be met with resistance. A habit will form if we follow those brain pathways for six weeks in a row. A stronghold will form if the behavior continues.
An inferiority complex, for example, is a mental fortress. Nobody is born inferior to another, but in today's competitive society, it's difficult not to feel inferior to someone who is smarter, quicker, stronger, or prettier. Only in Christ can one's negative self-perceptions be shattered. Everyone has equal value in God's kingdom. Each of God's children is loved equally, and we are not in competition with one another.
What Bible says about mind?
I've given you the option of choosing between life and death, blessings and curses, today. Now I summon heaven and earth to witness your decision. Oh, that you would choose life, for the sake of yourself and your progeny! –
This verse has been haunting me for years. I didn't believe that life, especially love, joy, and tranquility, were choices. I've always believed that circumstances played a part. It was far too simple to choose love and joy. What if it's real, though?
“We change the physical nature of our brain as we think.” We may cut out poisonous thinking patterns and replace them with healthy thoughts by deliberately directing our thoughts.”
Science, she claims, is establishing free will and the connection between thoughts and reality.
Do not imitate the world's conduct and conventions; instead, allow God to change your mind and convert you into a new person. You will then come to understand God's will for you, which is good, acceptable, and perfect.
Changing your mindset alters your perception, which alters your behavior in the world. Paul's comments have been around for a long time. The fundamental premise of Jesus' first sermon is “change your mind” (Matt. 4:17).
Because no matter how many times you read through the Bible, if your mind does not change, you will merely impose your biases and labels on the things you read, Jesus encouraged people to alter their thinking.
God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, not fear and timidity.
“Hey stupid, you won't make it if you jump off that cliff,” basic fear warns. “Get away from the edge of the cliff.” This form of terror is both healthy and beneficial.
Fear and distrust of life and others, on the other hand, are not from God, but they appear to be hard-wired into our minds. We don't want to be terrified of being afraid. Love is always present in the Spirit. Always.
I shower a thousand generations with steadfast affection. I forgive sin, rebellion, and iniquity. However, I do not absolve the guilty. I blame the parents' misdeeds on their children and grandchildren; the entire family is harmed, including third and fourth generation offspring.
Here's another eerie verse that relates to the power of our minds. Your life is shaped not simply by your thoughts. They also have an impact on your future children and their children.
This is a fact that science has confirmed. Epigenetics research has revealed that our attitudes, poor behaviors, worry, and hatred of cats can have an impact on our children even before they are born.
We destroy all arguments and pretensions that stand in the way of God's knowledge, and we take captive every thinking in order to make it obedient to Christ.
Take control of all your thoughts. What a brilliant concept. Is it, however, even possible? We would know it was doable if we trusted God's word.
The answer to capturing your ideas is concealed in plain sight in Scripture. “Be still and know that I am God,” says Psalm 46:10. In recent years, the tremendous effects of prayer and meditation have been well-documented, confirming what Christians already know.
Capturing your ideas necessitates quietness, which most Americans, including many Christians, lack. And as long as we don't make time for prayer, our emotions, thoughts, and feelings will continue to rule.
Consider what is noble, what is just, what is pure, what is attractive, what is admirable anything that is wonderful or commendable.
Every now and then, I come across someone who is unique. You've seen them before. These people have a unique perspective on the world. They're at ease. They don't seem to be shaken by anything. Ever. It's nearly impossible to offend them, and they listen far more than they speak. They adore everyone, including their foes. Their happiness and calm are contagious.
When I come across someone like them, I'm always curious as to what amazing sauce they use and where I can get a jar.
Philippians 4:8 is understood by people who are different. They opted for love. They opted to perceive God's image – imago dei in everyone. They select goodness and eradicate negative with ruthlessness.
Your reality is determined by what you choose to view. By adjusting your focus, you have the ability to alter your reality.
Biology or circumstance do not make us victims. If you believe otherwise, this verse appears to be nonsense. But, once again, science is confirming what the Bible already states.
“Thoughts are formed when you think, and these thoughts become physical substances in your brain.”
You were made in God's image, full of grace and love. What would happen if you began to believe it?
There are numerous other Bible texts that emphasize the power of our ideas. But I pray that you recognize the truth in God's eternal words. Your reality and, eventually, your legacy are determined by what you accept into your head.
How many times is stronghold mentioned in the Bible?
The word “stronghold” appears in the Old Testament roughly 50 times and once in the New Testament. It refers to actual strongholds or to God as our stronghold or fortress in the Old Testament. God wishes to be our stronghold, but we are tempted to look for substitutes in other strongholds.
How do you help God cry out?
Simply read the Psalms to see what I mean. “O God of my righteousness, answer me when I call!” Psalm 4:1 is a verse from the book of Psalms. “Hear my words, O Lord; think about my groaning” (Psalm 5:1). “O Lord, hear my prayer; let my cries reach you!” (Psalm 102:1; Psalm 102:2).
What happens when you have a spiritual awakening?
As Kaiser argues, this is the start of your spiritual journey, as you begin to doubt everything you previously believed. You begin to purge certain aspects of your life (habits, relationships, and outdated belief systems) in order to make room for new, more meaningful experiences. You may sense that something is lacking, but you aren't sure what it is. It's common to feel disoriented, confused, and down during this time.