Breaking Strongholds
We live in this world, but we don’t act like its people or fight our battles with the weapons of this world. Instead, we use God’s power that can destroy fortresses. We destroy arguments and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people’s thoughts and make them obey Christ.
– II Corinthians 10:3-5
STRONGHOLD: Anything that exalts itself against God’s Word. It contradicts the Truth. It contradicts what God says about you. It goes against the will of God for your life!
a) A stronghold begins with a thought, or two or three.
b) A negative thought unchecked…leads to vain imaginations…and that’s how strongholds are born.
How to Break Strongholds:
1. Go to the source—your thought life.
Proverbs 23:7- For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you.
a) We have to evaluate our thought life. What wrong thoughts have we accepted and believed that led to this stronghold?
2. Let go of the past pain.
Isaiah 43:18-19 Do not remember the things that have happened before. Do not think about the things of the past. See, I will do a new thing. It will begin happening now. Will you not know about it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
a) FORGET the past!
b) Don’t DWELL on it anymore!
c) This is a NEW day!
3. Control your thoughts.
Ephesians 6:12-13 Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens. 13 Because of this, put on all the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will be able to stand in that sinful day. When it is all over, you will still be standing.
a) Take every thought CAPTIVE and make it obedient to Christ.
b) We have to deliberately choose what we allow our minds to dwell on.
c) Decide Right Now:
d) I am finished with this battle!
e) I’m not fighting this stronghold the rest of my life!
f) I am not going to let suicidal thoughts get the best of me!
g) I am not going to allow poverty to reign in my life!
h) I am not going to allow bitterness to control my life!
i) Divine Weapons To Demolish Negative Thoughts—You Have:
j) The Word of God
k) The Name of Jesus
l) Power and Authority over Satan
m) At The First Sign Of A Negative Thought:
1. Stop and acknowledge that the thought is not from God.
2. Make a decision: I am not going to take Satan’s bait! I am not going to dwell on this
ungodly thought.
3. Resist Satan in the Name of Jesus!
4. Replace that thought with God’s thoughts about you.
a) Don’t identify yourself with tempting thoughts.
b) Instead of turning on yourself and attacking your self-esteem when thoughts come—turn
it around and attack the lies! Deal with the real culprit that is a lie of Satan.
4. Be PERSISTENT!
A stronghold doesn’t develop overnight. So you have to be consistent and persistent until you see the victory
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