Strongholds

 

Strongholds are built one brick at a time in our bodies and souls. With each choice we make to give into sin, to freed an addiction, and to entertain demons we make the walls of the stronghold harder to tear down. It is not that Christ is insufficient to deliver us, on the contrary, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). However, we must participate with The Lord in removing the bricks until the walls of the stronghold fall, and more importantly we have to discipline ourselves not to rebuild the stronghold. Jesus warned of this very problem when He said, “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45). You cannot clear the castle of your soul and then invite the demons back or put your hands to seeding the field of yourself with weeds of sin.

We participate with Our Lord God The Trinity. Just as at Jericho Joshua and the Israelites were told to march around the walls seven days not speaking and on seventh day shout and blow the shofars (trumpets) and walls fell; God made the walls fall but the people of God had to do the marching and then shouting. It is the same with strongholds of addiction, demonization, and sin, Jesus is all powerful to deliver, but we must partner with Him, note it says “we can do all things through Christ..” (Philippians 4:13), you have to do, to act, to disciple yourself to not rebuild and fortify the stronghold the Enemy seeks to keep within you. You need the fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law..” (Galatians 5:22-23). Fruit is not usually just bestowed without effort, it grows on the branches, and you must grow that fruit of self discipline (Self Control)! The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit will help you, but you cannot expect God to do liposuction and remove the fat (walls of stronghold) and staple you close. No you have to get in the gym and discipline yourself spiritually to resist the devil (James 4:7) and tear down the stronghold he seeks to keep erect inside you.    

Addiction is a real stronghold, and it takes so much discipline. It helps to attend groups associated with your battle, to have an accountability partner who you can call anytime and will pray for you, and of course spend quality time with Christ in prayer and Scripture reading. You may need meds or vitamins to help with discipline temporarily or long term, see these as weapons in your quest to regain control of your life and to break the stronghold that manipulates you. I know there is an aversion by many brothers and sisters in Christ to go through a deliverance from demons. I do not blame you, Bob Larson and other weirdos have made spectacle of deliverance. But Pastors like Chip Ingram are very balanced, I recommend his book “The Invisible War” where he says “be aware and ready for spiritual battle, but not preoccupied with it, do not go looking for demon under every bush.” That’s the problem, people either deny the invisible war exists or they become obsessed with it, kinda like eschatology (the end times). The Apostle Paul says our war is with unseen beings, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” (Ephesians 6:12), and Jesus said we would deliver demons, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues” (Mark 16:17). What is important to remember is sometimes there is a demonic element, sometimes not, Jesus healed two people of epilepsy, one had a demon, the other did not. Deliverance from demons like nutrition, meds, support groups, scripture, and accountability partner is just one of many aspects of your tearing down the stronghold. Do not make it your only tool, but also do not ignore the kingdom of darkness is involved in keeping you in bondage. 

I pray that you can begin to remove the bricks of the stronghold in your life. Remember that many, even pastors and devout men & women of God are dealing with their own strongholds, and so you are not alone in this struggle. Take courage and remember like growing pains, and working out in the gym, tearing down a stronghold in your life is not without pain and hardship. Building the walls may have been quick, taking them down may take a while. In all of this fix your eyes on Christ Jesus our Lord (Hebrews 12:2) who will strengthen you to remove the bricks and weight from your soul. Amen.