STRONGHOLDS

1. “For although we walk in the flesh, we do not war against the flesh.
2. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [of the flesh] but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
3. 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.”
   2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)

• Strongholds are thoughts in the mind of people which are exalted against the knowledge of God.

• The devil holds people bound by darkening their understandings; he would not allow their minds, eyes of understanding, open, that they might not see the light of the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:3,4).
• A believer’s mind could be darkened or partially darkened if such does not take heed to the Word of God.

• Strongholds are built in the mind.

• Every believer has a responsibility to work on his or her mind, renew it with the word of God.
  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING of your MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
  Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
• Strongholds in the mind can be pulled down through the knowledge of God’s Word.
• Prayer is also needed that your eyes of understanding may be opened, be enlightened, that you may know your inheritance in Christ and what God has in plan for you (Ephesians 1:17,18).

• The devil thrives where understanding is darkened, that is, where knowledge of the truth is lacking.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:32 (NKJV)

• A person can only be liberated when his or her mind is changed—transformed (Romans 12:2).
• When someone’s mind is opened to receive the Word of God, then he or she can receive the fullness of God’s blessings (Acts 16:14).
• Pulling down of strongholds is not about fighting the devil and demons, it is about breaking the influence of the devil on people’s mind through the teaching of the Word of God and prayer.
• The Pauline prayer recorded in the Book of Ephesians chapter 1 verse 15-21 can be prayed for yourself, for someone else, or a group of people.

• No one enjoys the fullness of God’s blessings without walking in the light of the Word of God.

• Even, prayers cannot be answered without obedience to the Word of God (John 15:7).
• Those who are not walking in the light of the Word of God, who are not living according to the Word of God, are having strongholds in their minds.
• In other words, they are having arguments and high things that are contrary to the knowledge of God.
• They have thoughts that are contrary to the Word of God—knowledge of God.
• A good number of those who claim to be Christians are having thoughts that are contrary to the knowledge of God.
• Some are held bound by traditions and belief systems.

1. “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations–
2. “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”
3. which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?”
   Colossians 2:20-22 (NKJV)

• You need to unlearn what you have learned that are not in line with the Word of God.

• You unlearned the negative things you have learned in the past by feeding your mind with the Word of God and meditating on it.
• You pray that God opens your eyes of understanding—you pray the prayer consistently (Ephesians 1:15-21).
• The light you have, that is, the understanding you have, and how you walk in it, determine what you receive from God.

• What the devil and demons do is, they darkened the minds of their captives (2 Corinthians 4:3,4).

1. “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
2. HAVING THEIR UNDERSTANDING DARKENED, BEING ALIENATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD, BECAUSE OF THE BLINDNESS OF THEIR HEART .
3. who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to walk all uncleanness with greediness.”
   Ephesians 4:17-19 (NKJV)

• Therefore, every believer should take heed to the word of God (Luke 8:18).
“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
James 1:25 (NKJV)

• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!