I like what you shared Land-of-Fire. It is a subject worth much study and understanding.
What we call "salvation" is the beginning of GOD's plan for our lives, which is to conform us in character to the image of Christ Jesus. If we fail to see our relationship to GOD as such - we will allow too many areas within us to remain unchanged. I've learned the significance of "humilty" in pulling down strongholds - which is the demolition and removal of old ways of thinking so that the presence of Jesus Christ can be manifested through me.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the pulling down of strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
This begins by first removing that which Defends the Enemy. In speaking of spiritual warfare, St. Paul enlists the word "stronghold" to define the spiritual fortresses wherein satan and his legions hide and are protected. In Old Testament - a stronghold was a fortified dwelling used as a means of protection from an enemy. David hid from king saul in wilderness strongholds at Horesh (1 Samuel 23:14,19) Paul adapted the word "stronghold" to define powerful, vigorously protected spiritual realities.
A stronghold can be a source of protection for us from the devil, as is the case when the LORD becomes our stronghold (psalms 18:2).
Or conversely, a stronghold can be a source of defense For the devil, where demonic or sinful activity is actually defended within us by our own sympathetic thoughts toward sin or evil - which often become the "fortified dwellings" of demonic oppression in a person's life.
Paul defines a stronghold as "speculations, lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of GOD" (2 Corinthians 3:5) A demonic stronghold is any type of thinking that exalts itself above the knowledge of GOD, therby giving the devil a secure place of influence in an individual's thought-life.
Christians can be oppressed by demons, which can occupy unregenerated thought-systems, especially if those thoughts are defended by self-deception or false doctrines.
The thought, "I cannot have a demon because I am a Christian, is simply untrue. A demon cannot have you in an eternal, possessive sense, but one can have a demon if you refuse to repent of your sympathetic thoughts toward sin and/or evil. Rebellion toward GOD provides a place for the devil in your life.
Any area of my heart or mind that is not surrendered to Jesus Christ is an area vulnerable to satanic attack. And it is here, uniquely in the uncrucified thought-life of the believer's mind, that the pulling down of strongholds is of vital importance.
For this reason, we must attain what the Scriptures call "Humility of Mind" before real deliverance is possible. When we discover rebellion toward GOD within us, we must Not defend or excuse ourselves. Rather, we must 'Humble' our hearts and repent. And exercise our faith in GOD to change us. Where there is a habit of sin in a believer's life, expect to find demonic activity in that area.... and it is robbing a believer of the LORD's joy, peace and strength, soundness of mind, and so forth........., that habitation is a stronghold.
"The joy of the LORD is my strength"
"He has not given us a spirit of bondage again to fear, (or timidity) but HE has given us a sound mind."
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17).
Praise GOD! "When I am Weak - HE IS STRONG!"
The kingdom of God is Righteousness: I need to be submitted to God in every thought, word and deed. This calls for "Humility" - I must obey His every command without debate or compromise. He tells us to be holy, for He is holy (Leviticus 19:2). Of course, to attempt this in my own strength is to fool myself. The blessing in this is that GOD Himself became our Righteousness – when Jesus Christ died on the cross (Jer 23:6, 1 Cor 1:30). For as long as we are in this realm, we will have our flesh wrestling against our spirits. Living in righteousness is living in that place where sin will be abhorrent to me, so that should I stumble, I immediately recognize my error and repent, humbly and contritely.
The kingdom of God is Peace: The Bible says that the chastisement for our peace was upon Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:5). This means that Jesus Christ took the punishment that was otherwise awaiting us, and He did it so that we could have peace. When you give your life to Christ and realize that He gave you His very own peace (John 14:27), then you will begin to walk in that peace. And when you do that, you will be walking and living in the kingdom of GOD.
The kingdom of GOD is Joy in the Holy Ghost: The fruit of the Spirit is joy, Galatians 5:22. It is impossible to live in the Holy Spirit and be devoid of joy.
Joy can be said to be a prerequisite to peace. The world pursues happiness because it is lacking in joy.
Joy is not an emotion - like peace - it is a state of being. It does not depend on the surroundings. There is no joy except in GOD, and the point in life at which one realizes this, is the point at which they begin to walk and live in the kingdom of GOD.
So we deal with the devil by dealing with the carnal thought systems, the strongholds that protect the enemy, There were no strongholds, no wrong thinking, no faulty attitudes in Christ's mind. Just before Jesus went to His death, He said: "the ruler of this world cometh, but he has Nothing in Me." (John 14:30)
One aspect of Christ's ministry is that
"thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." (Luke 2:35)
If I will truly walk with Jesus - many areas of my thinking processes will be exposed. There will be a grace and a power from GOD to enable me to repent and believe GOD to impart His virtue into my life. This is true for all of us -we will see strongholds fall and victory come. And it all begins with 'humility', and courage without reluctance or willful deception in my heart.
Rightous Father, there are areas in my life that I have not fully surrendered to my LORD, Yahshua ha Moshiach, LORD, forgive me of compromise. I also ask You for courage to approach the pulling down of any stronghold without reluctance or willful deception in my heart. By the power of the Holy Spirit and in the Name of Yahshua (Jesus)- LORD bind satanic influences that would reinforce compromise and sin within me. I submit myself to the light of the Spirit of Truth to expose the stronghold of any sin within me. By the mighty weapons of the Spirit and the Word, I proclaim that any stronghold in my life is coming down. I purpose , by grace of GOD, to have only one stronghold within me, the stronghold of the Presence of Christ! I thank You, LORD, for forgiving and cleansing me from all my sins. And by grace of GOD, I commit myself to follow through in any area the Holy Spirit reveals to me until even the ruins of any stronghold be removed from my mind or heart. Thank You, Merciful Father, Amen and Amen  |
Linear Mode
