3 Characteristics and Strategies for Overcoming Strongholds
We’ve been talking about strongholds and God’s plan for victory in your life. I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback from people on this subject. You can read Part 1 of this series here.
Here are a few points to consider as we dig deeper into this fascinating subject:
- How does the enemy gain access to your thoughts? What does the word devil mean? It comes from the Latin root diabolos, which means to thrust through, like a rock. It’s like the enemy is doing a David and Goliath on you. He’s hitting and hammering you with thought patterns, circumstances, and emotions that create a framework of bondage and confusion within your brain and heart. The devil intends to break through the barrier of your will, your mind, and your emotions in order to penetrate your personality. These bents and inclinations toward fear, mistrust, abandonment, depression, and even suicide can be generational. Some of your battles didn’t start with you. We will explore this subject more in the next blog post.
- What can you do to combat this attack? Take every thought captive at the point of a spear (2 Corinthians 10:5). Interrogate your thought life to see whether it lines up with what the Spirit of God says. How do you know if a thought is coming from God or the devil? How do you know if it’s a stronghold? If it’s not peace, if it’s not energizing, if it’s not love—it’s not from the Lord.
- Are you making God your stronghold? David said he wanted to make the Lord his stronghold and his high tower (Psalm 61:3). You see, a stronghold can work both ways. To build a godly stronghold you must tear down what you have built that militates against God's Word. This is the warfare involved with renewing the mind—but it pays off in a new mind garrisoned with God's way of thinking. Getting clear on who He is for you is one of the most important steps to freedom. I want to encourage you to begin the process of renewing your mind, by recognizing that in many cases, the méthodos or the roadway that the enemy planted in your life came before you knew what he was up to.
Test and discern your life according to the Holy Spirit to begin to shut down those ramps and build up new highways that lead to victory, anointing, and deliverance.
Question: What negative patterns is God revealing to you as you read this post? What are some strategies you can employ to renew your mind daily? Comment below to share about it!
As One!
Lance
Hey Lance,
I thoroughly enjoy you and am encouraged and inspired by your blogs and posts and YouTube videos. So much so that I am telling my friends here in Panama about you as I listen to as much as I can. You and I are about the same age and though on totally different paths, you have put into words so many things that I have thought or felt that seemed ‘against the grain’.
My dream is to get you to come to Panama and get my adult children (living in the US) to go to a conference or Dream Trip! Oh that we could all live level 10 lives!
I hear you on Trump as the ‘wrecking ball’and the Cyrus annointing you believe he has. His unbridled tongue reminds me of the former President of Panama, the lesser of two evils and also a successful businessman. You can read up on where he is today. Praying for my beloved U.S.A.
As One,
Shirley Miranda
Thanks for the comments, Shirley! Glad you have been encouraged. Keep the prayers coming!!
I don’t understand this website. I was told I could download classes on breaking strongholds and I don’t see anything other than a short video with an offer to read part one??
I love your teaching style and insights. They are practical and tactical. This is a great teaching – please keep addressing this issue of strongholds.
The devils stronghold in my life is playing games, whether computer, card, newspaper. These things bring a momentary success but no lasting peace and destruction of time leaving little for God or family. Admitting this is good but what is a “it is written” that will bring this destroy this thing. When does entertainment become addiction?
Hi Lois,
Read your post and I know you’re not alone in that struggle. What came to mind is before you can know which “it is written” will destroy that hold, you have to ask what lies you are believing in that make games so attractive to you. For example, and I’m not saying this is it, because the best person to shed light on this is God in you, but one example would be – do you believe that is the only kind of success you will ever achieve? Is there no real, lasting success for you? If that is the lie, then you can now see the truths you need to meditate on – e.g. Jer29:11, Eph 2:10.
Does that help?
Lesley.
Minds Right Now is Legalism, I’m dealing with, terrible legalism issues, I planning on looking for scripture on how to apply grace or live by grace, can you please suggests some for me.
Hi Debra. I hear what you’re saying about having a sensing capacity for intercession. I’m not always too quick to get it though- especially when there’s a lot going on around me, or when times are tough. For your encouragement, you sensed correctly on several counts. My husband of 34 years is battling ALS and we are now homebound and under hospice care. He is secure in Christ but family is all over the place spiritually. Before this, I thought I knew hard….
Yes, prayer is very much appreciated!!
Gosh Laura, ignore my reply to Debra….I goofed this up 🙂 I’m sorry for this painful place you are in, but I pray that God will bring you to a wonderful place of freedom!
When I’ve struggled with legalistic thinking, I have found it helpful to think about the time that Jesus was baptized by John. At that point in his life, Jesus had not yet started his public ministry, so in a sense he hadn’t done anything “for God”. Yet, God smiled down on him and spoke so that all around could hear: “This is My Son, whom I love; with him I AM WELL PLEASED”. (Matthew 3:13-17)
Yup, Jesus was just hanging out in his neighborhood, with his family, learning to work with his hands- just “being”. Be kind to yourself Laura 🙂 I know the Lord will see you through <3
Just watched this video at a Starbucks and some girls walked out wearing a school uniform. This got me wondering where this school was, as I know this neighbourhood pretty good and it pretty much public schools around here. Then I remembered there is a Christian school just a few blocks from here, and this had me thinking that your message and teachings need to be taught there if we are really going to have a chance at righting this ship and keeping it going in the right direction.
Thanks so much for all that you do and I look forward everyday for your Periscope, I will pretty much stop whatever I am doing.
Be Blesseed
Keep God in your thoughts constantly. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance through out the day. Give God Halal continually for everything you’ve done for the day no matter what it is or what always praise God through Yeshua. Eventually those negative thoughts will abandon you as well as the adversary.
I have found the best way to combat the enemy in my thought life, is to find verses of scripture that deals with the lies that satan is beating me over the head with, write them on index cards and speak them over my life and circumstances several times a day. Matthew 4….right before Jesus started His ministry, He went to the wilderness and spent 40 days and nights fasting and praying. When he came out, satan came to Him and tempted Him 4 times. Each time, Jesus said “it is written”, verses 4,6,7, and 10. Jesus spoke the Word against satan – Jesus set the example for us!! The battle starts in our minds, so we have to replace satan’s lies with the truth of the Word. Also, our words have so much power! (Proverbs 18:21) Also, there have been many battles that I have fought that I KNOW I never would have gotten the victory, without fasting. I hope this helps somebody!! I’ve been doing this for 12 years….it works for me. God bless everyone. Love you Lance!
Myra, thank you stop much, your words are my confirmation and encouragement that I must fast; Jesus did say something comes only by fasting n praying. I have a terrible junk food tooth…please pray and agree to break those strongholds that discourages me from fasting; I have such strongholds that I have discovered or God revealed it to me, going on in my family, that was purposely hid from by family why I don’t know, of witchcraft . After My sleep was being affected and strange happening such as seeing my non-identical twins sisters standing in the opening of my closet in an “translucent” form while I was studying for bible school in 2006, I was not afraid but wondered how did they do that…they must of heard my thoughts and disappeared when I charged the closet. Some have me a book and I was shocked; I was raised in a family of professional root workers and I did not know; was I dumb? I’m yet fighting this thing and it frustrates me.
The Lord was just talking to me yesterday about generational things. I have been questioning God as to what exactly I have overcome in my life (as that might be a clue to my future ministry) and yesterday, He reminded me of the depression and suicidal thoughts that I had in my teens into my twenties. He also spoke generational curses, in that my unsaved sister (at the moment she is not but she will return home) has dealt with all the same things as I did. I never put it together until the yesterday. And now, as if God is confirming that He is the One speaking, you post this today. Thank you! Looking forward to the next post.
I’m sorry, just thought of something else. Beth Moore has a book, “Praying God’s Word”, that is sooooo good! It has scripture and prayers on subjects like idolatry, pride, unbelief, addiction, unforgiveness, etc that helps dismantle specific strongholds. It’s a very good book! Stormie O’Martin also has some of the same type books. God bless everyone!
Thank you Myra, this is helpful and reaffirms what I’ve been doing (off & on). While God has blessed me to make great progress, sometimes when He’s dealing with the strong root systems of bad thinking, it can be tiring — this is b/c I’m trying to deliver myself, which I cannot do. However, I’m learning that this is when I just need to relax & confess that I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!…..and confessing God’s word!! What also helps me is confessing — honestly — what I am thinking & feeling to Abba. I used to not do this b/c I was bound by religion/guilt/condemnation/fear. But, thanks be to God, I am overcoming these strongholds….this means war. What I hate is when I believe the lie that I am not gaining any ground or it feels like I am making slow progress, only to find out that I have grown by leaps & bounds! When I believe the enemy’s lies, Holy Spirit comes through & exposes them…..for this I give God mighty praise!
The Lord was speaking to me about this on my way into work this morning. How so often we are bombarded with thoughts that want to carry us “to infinity and beyond” if you know what I mean. Learning to recognize the source quickly and bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ is essential. I am determined to be more proactive in doing this and nipping these thoughts in the bud. I have heard 3 devotionals this today on this very subject – and now yours, Lance. Thank you for sharing! I needed this!!
Well goodness….I was just thinking and praying about this very topic right before receiving the email. The Lord has shown me things about this for years and, because I take the warrior role of the Christian seriously, (maybe too much so, don’t know) I have studied, thought about it, prayed about it, AND had my nose in the Word for mind renewal for a long time. Maybe my frustration will be heard as I write, but sometimes it seems like no progress has been made. OR, maybe I just sense the increasing intensity of the battle…sometimes I question my own sanity. I was absolutely hammered this past weekend. I sought the Lord all day Saturday and only found relief through a night’s sleep and a pertinent message the next morning. The timing makes sense though in light of what the enemy was doing in the nation at that time. A season of corporate warfare maybe? I might be weary, but by the grace of God I will not go down without a fight. Grace, peace, and strength to all who visit here.
Something to consider, Valerie is whether you’re picking up from others around you what they’re dealing with, i.e. is someone near you fighting depression and the Lord lets you “feel” this to intercede for that person? I have experienced this and am learning to hear more clearly from Holy Spirit when that’s going on so as to pray for the person in my spirit or at times even ask, “Is everything OK with you? I am sensing you’re going through something. Would you like me to pray with you?” Another time, the Lord was showing me action I needed to take by connecting with people and bringing them out of their “cocoon” of loneliness.
Hi Debra. I hear what you’re saying about having a sensing capacity for intercession. I’m not always too quick to get it though- especially when there’s a lot going on around me, or when times are tough. For your encouragement, you sensed correctly on several counts. My husband of 34 years is battling ALS and we are now homebound and under hospice care. He is secure in Christ but family is all over the place spiritually. Before this, I thought I knew hard….
Yes, prayer is very much appreciated!!
I am 53 and JUST now realizing that I have beem picking up other people’s ‘vibes’ my whole life. I am very sensitive to sound, smell, light and noise in the natural – any of these can trigger physical issues. The Lord has been showing me the infinite connections between the natural and the supernatural. It’s like having a built in barometer. It is not always pleasant; the last week has been rough! My first response is to assume the heaviness with guiltlike feelings. Any suggestions to better educate myself in utilizing what Holy Spirit is revealing and to better serve Him.
Frustration and angry I have been feeling alot lately .. The same record playing oh you will not make it, you can’t do it, you are not gifted , and on on… I saw that I was believing the lies and doubting God . The cycle of the same circumstances never changed …why am I fighting and it is not changing anything in my life..the enemy gripped me so tight even my vision is gone ……,
You’re a spirit that has a soul that lives in a body. At some point you have to just tell your brain to shut up. Exert your authority over your brain that God has given you. I read a book quite a while ago entitled telling yourself the truth. Basically whatever thoughts you’re thinking about yourself you have to question their validity. In other words just because you have a thought doesn’t make it true so stop thinking it. It set me free and I hope it does you as well.