Developing Strongholds
Right now in your mind you might be asking, “What is a stronghold?” Many people have some interesting ideas about what strongholds are. Some people say that they are centers for demonic activity placed over cities and regions to influence people into certain vices. Some believe that you need to war in prayer against these demonic strongholds in order to see victory. It is absolutely necessary to pray for our land; however, Christians need not “war” in prayer to prevent strongholds. People need to be taught what the Bible says and to act on that to see deliverance in their lives.
The Bible gives us a clear definition of what strongholds are. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (natural) but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” Verse 5 says, “Casting down IMAGINATIONS and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every THOUGHT to the obedience of Christ.” Where do imaginations take place? In the mind. Where do thoughts take place? In the mind. Where do strongholds occur? In our minds. The Bible uses language such as weapons, warfare, pulling down, and casting down to describe the battle we face against thoughts. Many people believe that the vices themselves are the enemy but many times the battle was lost first in the mind.
The greatest battle you will face in life will occur upon the battlefront of your mind. Strongholds are simply this: Patterns of thought that are acted upon. In the verses above there are two sources we can draw from in our thought life. Number One: The Knowledge of God. Number Two: Imaginations and thoughts that exalt themselves against the Knowledge of God. You will act upon one of these two sources that are feeding your thought life. If you continually act upon God’s knowledge then you will be led into a deeper level of victory in your life and all the grace for Godly living. If you are acting upon thoughts and imaginations that are against the Knowledge of God then you ultimately will cast from yourself complete fulfillment and God’s plan for your life. For example, as a young man I fell into a pattern of living closely associated with alcoholism. It adversely affected my entire life. As a result my life spiraled down into depression and drug use. I was never satisfied and every time I needed relief it just took more and more alcohol to fill the void. After the buzz wore off the void was still there and I was empty.
So what was that? It was a stronghold that I was acting upon. I was convinced in my mind that a substance was my only way to have a fulfilling life. So how did that change? I changed my source for my thought life. I fed upon God’s Word and let it fill my thoughts. My perspective changed and so did my life.
Pastor Tim
Family Church Jamestown is a non-denominational church located in Chautauqua County in Jamestown between Lakewood and Busti NY. The senior pastor of Family Church is Pastor Tim Stahlman a native to the Jamestown, NY area.
