3 Characteristics and Strategies for Overcoming Strongholds
When the Apostle Paul said that we “wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers,” what did he mean? The verse found in Ephesians 6:12 makes something very clear. Paul did not believe his warfare was a battle with people, political institutions, or even personal circumstance. Our warfare, like his, is an intense, personal, and close wrestling match with disembodied spirits.
- How do you know you are under attack? One of the things I’ve noticed is that when I am in warfare I don’t feel like myself. I feel disconnected, awkward, and inauthentic. I’m not myself and I don’t even like who is showing up. Do you ever feel like this? It’s like you’re someone else. Something is trying to take over your thought process. Remember: the battle zone is in your thought life. The secret is to catch the enemy when he attempts to slip into your thought life like the serpent in the garden. Don’t let the thought take hold. For this reason Paul says one of our primary weapons is the power to inspect and take thoughts captive as they enter your mind. Paul describes an interrogation process, in which we take a thought captive “at the point of a spear.” Notice the language he uses to address strongholds: “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
- What is a stronghold? Think of it as a house made of thoughts. It’s a pattern of thinking that has a “strong hold” or grip on your mind. And let's be honest: if it's a pattern of thinking it is also a pattern of feeling and behaving. A stronghold is something that exerts an influence or leverage over the thought patterns that play in your mind. They produce a harvest of consequences. The devil is trying to rob you and your children of God's inheritance. He does this by working to get you to compromise and bow your knee to unbelief, apathy, fear, lust, addiction, depression. Don’t let him succeed. Put up a FIGHT!
- What is God’s goal for you? The Spirit of God wants us to be thinking beings who operate out of freedom!—NOT robots. The Holy Spirit is busy right now setting us free from CONTROLLING SPIRITS. This includes all addictions and compulsions. As a believer, you are not under the dominion of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). God created man in His image and in His likeness and gave him a territory called a garden. In that sphere of influence man was in charge. He had authority over the snake. God has put you in the garden of your life. He wants you to be free to flourish, create, and expand dominion. God made you in His image and wants your mind free to see, sense, discern, and judge.
How can you dismantle these strongholds?
Strongholds are like fortresses that must be torn down one brick at a time. Every thought that hits you needs to be countered by another thought! Lies need to be answered with TRUTH. You need a proclamation in your mouth—there is an “IT IS WRITTEN!” for every battle. These truths need to be meditated upon and literally “engrafted” into your soul. In this way God uses our warfare to do something that totally frustrates the enemy. It makes us stronger! This connects us to the lineage of overcomers described by the writer of Hebrews who said: “Out of weakness they became strong!” (Hebrews 11:34)
Question: What lies do you need to refute in your mind? What truths do you need to stand on for daily victory in the spiritual realm?
Comment below and tell me about it!
As One!
Lance
Can’t find you on One Place anymore! Keeps saying this ministry not found here or something close to that. Have you moved to another place? I have been listening to the archive messages listed. Matter of fact, heard one last night, and was suggesting to my son to listen to it (the one I was listening to last night) and he can’t find you either. Went to face book, but found the same issue, when attempting to listen to the messages.
I too found the messages gone missing on OnePlace. Though many of the postings are from previous content I have collected from Dr. Wallnau, some of the content I had never heard (like the TWO MEN and a BIBLE set – simply awesome). I downloaded each anyway and really appreciated the posting. I have given to Lance’s ministry in the past, but it looks like my efforts were not enough (on my own).
I’ll look to the iTUNES location, though I’ll still contribute as the teachings have been transformational in so many ways
Bonnie, We are transitioning over to iTunes for all of our streaming podcasts. We are moving the entire One Place archive to iTunes so you will be able to listen to all the broadcasts there. Our iTunes account should be populated with all the old broadcasts tomorrow morning. One I have a direct link to listen we will post here and on social media.
For those of us with Androids, will this be available on the Stitcher app?
This is so true Lance. Good word. Much needed by the body of Christ. You talk about ”mind molders” in the 7 Mountains of Cultural Influence. Demonic lies are ”mind holders”. that’s why they are called strongholds. Can’t wait to hear more on this subject/topic. It is one of the hidden keys for transformation of self and society and systems.
That God loves me in spite of me! That it’s not too late for me! That I really am the righteousness of God in Christ! That pay day is coming for all the hell I’ve been through!
Thank you, Dr. Lance. What a powerful teaching and so on time for me! Blessings to you and Annabel and family, in Jesus’ Name.?
Amen, Queen! Keep declaring the Father’s truth over yourself!!
WOW!!!! This post came JUST ON TIME!!!!! THIS IS what I’ve been speaking to the Lord about!! I mean some things(even word for word) that Lance wrote are things that the Lord has said to me, even just a couple of hours ago, especially about thought patterns, strongholds, about the enemy being after our inheritance, and regarding the enemy and us having authority over him in Jesus. Funny thing. I actually passed by a sign yesterday and there was this banner on someone’s yard and it said, “Don’t tread on me”, and though it wasn’t the exact words I know from the Bible, for some reason it jumped into my spirit. My eyes went to the top of the banner, and it was a logo of a huge snake. I was like, “omg….” A snake logo and a quote that says, “Don’t tread on me” ? The thief doesn’t want us to claim the land that Our Daddy has given TO US, His KIDS.
Thank you Lance for your obedience and sensitivity to the Word and Spirit of God!!!!! Bless you.
Whew. Powerful liberating truths (at least for me); lots of dismatleing to do. Have stored up lots of Word- need to use my “it is writtens” . More great tangible tools. Grateful. (Great post here too!)
Fantastic, Dena!! Great testimony.
Fabulous! Thank you~
Inspires me to continue engraving the word of God even more and more in my heart, mind and decree, declare and proclaim it over myself, others, nations, etc.
Awesome!! So glad this spoke to you, Lorena!!
I started praying much more in tongues at work, and started seeing almost instant results. I also invited a long time prayer warrior/friend of mine to join me occasionally and anoint it with prayer as well. What a difference!! You can just feel the atmosphere changing, and the differentiation between MY thoughts and those which my spirit has been discerning but which I was confusing as MY thoughts (which they weren’t) has really helped in that as well.
Thank you for this and other teachings like this. You truly are a prolific AND anointed teacher of the Word and its VERY PRACTICAL applications in our daily lives.
Thanks so much, Mark! That is great to hear. Keep it up!!
Lance, I believe a stronghold is at work in my family. We have been in turmoil for years and we can’t get free from what has us in its grip. We fasted prayed got counsel yet it still is there. Any thoughts?
There could be generational curses that are impacting your family. In addition to Lance’s great insight given to him by God, and also Derek Prince’s works, you might want to check into the Aslan’s Place ministry (www.aslansplace.com) that is headed up by Paul Cox. Their website contains an amazing amount of resource information.
The book “The Bondage Breaker” by Neil T Anderson helped me with this same.
Shalom
Hi, Michelle! Good advice from other friends here. Praying for the eyes of your hearts to be enlightened so that you may discern what schemes are at work in your family. Intentionally agree with the Holy Spirit and give notice to any evil spirits that have taken up residence in your home and family line. Ask: have we (or our parents, grandparents, etc.) made agreements that we need to break in the spirit? Walk around your house and ask the Lord if there is anything you have brought into your home that is in opposition to His spirit. Praying for the eyes of your hearts to be enlightened so that you may discern what schemes are at work in your family. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). Take heart and be encouraged, knowing to Whom you belong–stand on the authority of the name and blood of Jesus.
Yep! Much needed Word for me these days. I’m learning how the snake tries to slither his way into business affairs, learning and growth as well. They can be subtle. ..but hinder you just the same. I stay in the word and peaceful,resting on Gods promises and keep taking the next step to get to the other side and it either works or I check in with God again. I get fooled once in awhile. ..but growing and abounding yet more and more. Thanks, you two are a blessing.
Awesome, Christine! Keep resting on His promises!!
Lance, your Periscopes have been refuges to go to to balance out reality in my life perceptions, lately.
Since you asked:
“What lies do you need to refute in your mind? What truths do you need to stand on for daily victory in the spiritual realm?”
The prominent lie is the lack of God’s care/faithfulness to fulfill His promises in my life.
This primarily manifests when ongoing problems don’t resolve for the good, e.g., a Small Claims judgement I won that the debtor refuses to pay with me attempting to use available legal means to track down an empty bank account and new business address by paying money to a P.I. and more money to the L.A. Sheriff to serve orders with no apparent satisfaction in sight.
The above is just one example with the overarching stress and perplexity not having regular work as an art director/designer (self-employed while driving Uber as additional income) while approaching retirement age. Of course, I have experience His tender mercies to keep me going through all the mind and life battles, but it’s not the picture I imagined for the provision in this time of my life.
Negative thoughts include: regrets for past decisions/missed opportunities, self flagellation, DOUBT and lack of hope.
Truths I desperately need to control my mind include: His love and concern with every aspect of my life, His redemptive power to overturn my mistakes, and images of hope for a miraculous future where I can both receive and give of His goodness and fulfill the destiny of my short life.
Keep getting up each day confident that God is Who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do! Trump the lies of the enemy with the truth of His Word and His intense love for you Ron. Your latter will be greater than your former, God said so!
What I have learned thru similar challenges is that God has issues with SYSTEMS- that it was much bigger than me. He used me to shed light on some shoddy debt & financial scams- selling personal information & sales of bad judgments & crazy court SYSTEMS that mishandled the processing of these matters. Since these battles I have received several (albeit small) checks in settlement class actions. These small unexpected checks continue to roll in; some of the erroneous debt was cancelled (identity stolen years back) & much light has been shed on the institutions that were scamming! May God’s Mighty Faithful Hand continue to be upon you; may He grant you GREAT wisdom in the details of His Work in these matters. Praise God!! He is good always, faithful ALWAYS. As One.