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
Wow! Your analogy really hit home for me when you wrote:
“What is a stronghold? Think of it as a house made of thoughts. ”
I just know that when I start to feel negative, there is some stinkin’ thinkin’ going on, and I pray and ask God for help. He shows me in a lot of ways what is going on – through reading the Bible, or when His Holy Spirit shows things during worship or helping someone else who has similar issues (*Sheesh, if they only _____ they wouldn’t have a problem . . . Oh, I have that same problem . . .*)
Hi Lance.
Again with the timing of what you post! I often shake my head in amazement at it..
Last night and into today I’ve had a battle with exactly what you’re talking about here.. In fact today I literally thought to myself – I’ve got to identify the lie (& what’s the root?) first and then have a verse/s to fight back with..even last night I thought, this isn’t me!
And then I got your email today..
Mine have been a variation on a theme regarding change (as in will never happen), and the other one dealing with abandonment.. the Lord showed me the root of that one right after waking up from a dream after watching last Sunday’s replay of the DreamTrip livestream..
Honestly, there’s more but all seems to be linked together..
My life verse which popped in my mind while writing this, is one that will help: Zephaniah 3:17…
Thanks Lance for this blog post.. I really appreciate it!
I have ALL the lies the devil programmed into my UNCONSCIOUS mind during the FORMATIVE years (Train up a child in the way he or she should go…when he or she is old, that child will not depart from it) on 4 X 7 laminated cards with the lie on the front and the truth, from the WORD, on the back. That’s what I do for a living. They call me “The Locksmith” because I make “keys” for people who are locked-up in their minds. The UNCONSCIOUS mind is programmed during the critical foundation years. The devil understands neurology and psychology. He read Proverbs 22:6. The Bible tells us where Satan puts the lie (The god of this world has blinded the unbeliever’s mind – any lie we struggle with is a direct negation of the Word, so we’re technically an unbeliever in that area). How does one blind a mind, hide lies in the unconscious mind so people will keep doing the same things repeatedly, despite the consequences, with NO conscious awareness of why they keep doing it over and over and over again. Same people at the altar every Sunday about the SAME situations. The conscious thoughts are NOT the real issues! It’s the lies hidden in the UNCONSCIOUS mind that are the REAL problem! I’ve been trying to contact you via your website to tell you about my work.
Aneeshia, this is exactly what I need help with. The thought is only half the problem, it’s the subconscious belief that produces the thought that creates the lie. Some people don’t know what lies they are believing!
What is your email address or website please?
Thank you,
Athena
Dutch Sheets book ‘intercessory prayer’ may help you further press into who God is for you – tearing down strongholds particularly Naema (word for blinding) is one of my fave ones to tear down & throw as far as the east to the west.
Particularly important when praying for someone to go the narrow door of salvation.
You are who He (God) says you are!
Anneshia, what wonderful work you do!! I just visited your website and read about the programs/curriculum you’ve prepared for the youth as well. Thats so awesome!
Kudos sister♡
The thought “I did something wrong” especially after an amazing week with the Lord sharing the Gospel and being the hands and feet of Jesus. It seems every time I do something tangibly for the Lord I receive a huge onslaught of friends sending me emails that I am needy, and not caring …totally can be debilitating…because you care and love these people…I have to step back and not respond right away and ask God what do I keep and deal with and what do I discard. I really am not attached to this stuff..I bear it to the cross. Then not afraid go head to head with this thing..and not over email..face to face because I need to see and hear what the spirit(whichever is manifesting) is up to then I can pray it off, cast it out…or repent and deal with it aligned to Gods truth. Just because we receive words from those close doesn’t mean its all true. Generally, most of the time I see the devil trying to get me off my God focus. I love Gods people.
Good at ya girl!!
These personal strongholds mostly sit in our sub-conscious mind which means that we usually respond sub-consciously to the “thoughts” before they even begin to arise within our conscious mind. Once we have an awareness of these “thoughts” (which is in our conscious mind) we then need to “take them captive” and deal to them. But we also should begin to deal with our sub-conscious thought patterns on these same “thoughts” by beginning a process of dealing to them by “transforming” them – Roms 12:1-2 – the “renewing of my mind” – and this is a longer process.
We have mostly been taught to “deal with these thoughts” in our conscious mind – and I believe this is why we often get only temporary relief. My mind (“sub-conscious”) needs to be “changed” – “renewed” and Roms 12 is the perfect strategy – but it requires determination and effort to keep the “issue” at the forefront long enough for new thought patterns to replace the old ones.
30+ years ago a great teacher taught me that it takes 90 days to replace these old thought patterns and a further year to ensure the new thought patterns are sub-consciously functioning. (Dr. Caroline Leaf says 63 days.)
Of course, Holy Spirit guiding us through this process is essential.
Lance, your messages are ALWAYS so timely to my life and you nailed it again! I have been working thru and applying the Dream Trip livestream messages. Wow, what a life changing, powerful weekend that has been! Then out of the blue have been hit with crazy thoughts since Monday and have already been diligently doing most of what you shared. So grateful for some of the additional insights in your message. I know I am stepping into the new paths and am not surprised by enemy resistance, but I am pressing on toward the mark of the high calling that is set before me in Jesus. Abundant Blessings!
That was a very timely word Lance, thank you. Even though I “know” about strongholds, and warfare, this was extremely important for me to hear, especially, the signs of knowing when you are under attack, was key. That explained and helped with what I have been going through. As usual an excellent word!
Though I am quite aware of the enemy’s lies, I still battle with negative childhood perceptions of myself and the feelings of inadequacy and fear that were planted long ago. I know the Lord loves me and sustains me in battle…and yet I still must fight to overcome the lies, the biggest one being I’ll never be good enough. The challenge really is to replace those lies with Truth and to step out in faith with the One Who is always faithful and always with me, no matter what I may be feeling.
Thank you, Lance, for your encouraging words. We always end our prayer times at church with the “as one” shout, for the Truth is we are One in Him. Blessings.
Lance, your instruction today is so timely. Five hours before I read this I proposed developing an outreach through my church to my pastor. The idea is a variety show that will include nearly anything – comedy, musicians, singers, inspiring poetry, juggling – set up the rods and bring on the plate spinners! The presentation will include a gospel message and an invitation to come to faith in Christ. In essence, we will create a mini crusade in a variety show format where people can bring their unsaved friends and relatives who don’t go to a Sunday morning service but will come to an hour of entertainment, and also bring joy (hopefully) to the children of God. Later this month my pastor will take the idea before the church leadership for approval. After my proposal to the pastor, I thought, “Will people want to work with me? What if no one signs up to be involved? Do we have the talent? Will churches respond with invitations?” Those are the thoughts I need to fight with the Word of God. I came across Isaiah 48:11 today: “For my own sake, for my own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give my glory to another.” If the outreach receives approval, I will be excited to develop the art form I enjoy performing.
Lance,
i need help with money.
i have skills, advantages, opportunities, smart ideas, ambition and vision. I also have a job.
however despite these advantages i find myself unable to produce in my own home biz or any money making venture i decide to embark upon.
The demonic apparently has a strong hold on my mind in this area of biz and finances.
i need your help.
I know i can be an epic producer in life but these mental strong holds have me like im confused and crippled.