Bringing Down Strongholds
2 Corinthians 10:4,5 (NKJV) “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
There are other scriptures that explain how to put on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11-18) So, we are in a battle, and that battle is not necessarily with your neighbor or family member. It is a spiritual battle!
For years, when I read this scripture, I focused on the words “weapons of our warfare”. So that is what I focused on, warfare. The next part of the scripture says that our weapons are not carnal. Ok, that means it is not anything tangible or something that you can physically touch or see. But these weapons exist. Next, they are mighty in God. Ok, these weapons get their power from God. Looking at all these weapons and what they are for, there must be an enemy, right? If we are in a battle and the weapons are not carnal, then our enemy isn’t carnal but spiritual. So, we are fighting against the spiritual enemy. Now here is the kicker: for pulling down strongholds. Have you ever wondered what a stronghold is?
A stronghold in Greek is called Ochyroma (pronounced: okh-oo-ro-mah; see Strong’s Concordance G3794). It means a fortress, castle, or the idea of holding onto. In essence, a mindset. A stronghold is something where you have “Set your Mind;…Mindset”, or an idea that has stuck or taken over in your mind, and you have built a castle or fortress around that thought. That is why the next part of the scripture (verse 5) explains that you are fighting against the mindset or thought patterns (arguments) and anything that tries to promote or declare itself against the knowledge of God (hint, which is written in His Word,…the Bible.) If you are not reading the Bible, seeking God’s wisdom and knowledge, then anyone can twist what is true to deceive you.
If you’re wondering why you are struggling with sin, part of it could be a mindset that YOU have set up in your own mind. You have already asked someone to pray for you, or maybe you went to Church, and the prayer partners prayed with you. You felt all better and went home, but a couple of days later, you find yourself sliding back into the same sin. Well, it is a stronghold (mindset). Here is the explanation:
Romans 8:5,6 (NLT) “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
You sin because you are thinking about sinful things! If you allow sinful thoughts to linger in your mind without taking action, then it is a matter of time before you commit the same sin again. Unbridled sinful thoughts are strongholds that will cause you to sin, which leads to death. That is what Paul wrote in Romans 12:1,2 “…I beseech (plead) you to give your bodies over to God, be transformed by the renewing of your mind! You renew your mind by replacing your old thoughts with God’s Word. Did you know that breaking the strongholds (mindsets) in your mind was your responsibility? Yep! To break the strongholds (mindsets) in your mind, you need to read God’s Word daily. And by reading God’s Word daily, it renews your mind to start thinking God’s thoughts. Cut off things that stimulate or trigger strongholds, e.g., TV shows with lots of profanity, and other compromising things. The last part of verse 5, “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”, means YOU need to put that sinful thought on lockdown. Put it in captivity. If Jesus wouldn’t say it, then why are you thinking it? Resist the sinful thoughts, say out loud, “No! In Jesus’ Name! I’m the righteousness of Christ!”
Be Blessed!
Ron
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