Bringing Down Strongholds - 5

Turn to 2 Cor. 10 and ….  Thank you, TJ.

You may have heard the story of an old Cherokee Indian chief who was teaching his grandson about life.  The Chief said to his grandson, “A fight is taking place inside me, a fight between two wolves – one Dark and one Light.  The Dark wolf is evil.  He is anger, envy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, superiority, lies, false pride, and ego. The Light wolf is good.  He is love, joy, peace, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.  The same fight is going on inside you, my grandson … and inside of every person on this earth.”

The grandson pondered this for a moment and then asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?”  The old Cherokee smiled and simply said, “The one you feed.”

Every day when you and I wake up, we have a choice to feed one wolf or the other.  Which one are you feeding? 

To put it another way -

Every morning we “tell” ourselves a story.  The question is – what story do we tell? 

If we tell ourselves the wrong story – a false story long enough and often enough, we will believe it and it will become a stronghold. 

Over the past several weeks we have defined

Ungodly strongholds as false assignments or beliefs that have been intentionally or unintentionally built into our hearts, minds, or souls that influence what we errantly believe to be true about God, others, self, and life. 

Now, this is an expansive topic, and strongholds can be just about anything and are often difficult to identify.  This is why I have encouraged us to look backward and forward (especially within the family) to identify any patterns or iniquitous behavior.  I might prefer the word theme.  So, we’re looking for themes of abuse, addiction, alcoholism, sexual issues, deception, financial problems, crime, anger, or self-deprecation.  Are there any family secrets that seem to cast a dark cloud over everyone?  Or maybe there was paganism, satanic or occult practices, etc. 

Here are a few other things to consider that might reveal a stronghold.  Strongholds prevent us from becoming the Christlike people God designed us to be.  Strongholds prevent us from reaching our potential in Christ (Eph. 2:10).  Strongholds prevent us from fully loving God and others and prevent us from fully receiving love from God and others. 

Think of this - Strongholds are like a ball and chain that we lug around.  They slow us down and hold us back in our faith.  We may know there’s a ball and chain, but we tend to ignore it.  We know something in our Christian journey is not quite right – but can’t put a finger on it.  Perhaps strongholds are more like a leash.  You’re free to roam but you can only go so far and then ….  You can move forward in your faith journey but then you hit this spot that always yanks you back or there’s a particular sin or issue that you can’t seem to get past or conquer.  

If you know what I’m talking about, then that’s an indication of a probable stronghold.  Whether it’s a ball and chain, leash, an persistent obstacle  – whatever you call it – you live with this constant knowledge that you’re free but not free.  You’re tethered to something - still somewhat held captive – there’s something in your life that has “power” over you and your family.

If anything I just said resonates with you, it’s likely you have a stronghold.  If so, what is it?  What’s the stronghold?  You may need to spend alone time with Jesus and the Spirit of truth or invite someone into the conversation to help identify the stronghold.  However, once a stronghold is identified, what do you want to do with it? 

Remember, a stronghold is built upon a lie – a false assignment or belief and it’s not from God.  That stronghold does not belong in your life (I’m giving you permission …).  And it does not need to be there.  But the longer we live with a stronghold, the more difficult it becomes to rid ourselves of it.  It’s possible we see this in John 5 when Jesus went to the pool of Bethesda.  There was a man who had been an invalid for 38-years, and Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be healed?”  Odd question.  Why wouldn’t he?  Who wouldn’t want to be healed?  The truth is, not everyone does.  Interestingly, the man gave Jesus some “lame” excuses.  “I’ve been living in van down by the river smoking doobies for 38-years and no one wants to help me.”  It’s my personal opinion that this man had become comfortable with his condition and stronghold.  Victim!

So again, what do you want to do with your stronghold – if you have one? 

Consider this.  Typically a stronghold is a good thing - a place of safety protecting citizens from the enemy.  But ungodly strongholds are not good. They are the opposite.  See,

Ungodly strongholds not only keep us captive, but they keep the enemy and false beliefs inside while keeping God and His truths outside.  Think about it. 

Let’s look at 2 Cor 10 and unpack it a little. 

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Remember, a stronghold is a false assignment or belief.  Thus,

The most powerful weapon that we can use to destroy strongholds is God’s truth. 

Not our truth or the world’s truth, but God’s truth, and it’s His truth that sets us free.  So, if you have a stronghold in your life, you are believing and living according to a lie.  And the solution may not be more prayer, or more Bible study or church this or church that or ….   The solution to bringing down a stronghold is truth.  Some of you might need a truth transplant. 

According to 2 Cor 10, strongholds are constructed, if you will, of arguments and/or lofty opinions. 

What is an argument and lofty opinion?  M-W dictionary states that an

Argument – “a series of reasons, statements, or facts intended to support or establish a [particular] point of view.”  

This is critical to understanding and demolishing strongholds.  I want to make sure we get this.  An argument beginswith a point of view – whether the POV is true or not, it doesn’t matter.  For example, I would argue that Bigfoot exists. That’s my beginning point of view.  I will then support my POV with reasons, statements, footprints and blurry photos.

  Now,

The Greek word here for argument (2 Cor. 10:5) means false reasoning. 

This is how it works in life.  This could come from the enemy or a family member, could be intentional or unintentional – but we’re going to stick with the enemy for a moment.  The enemy will attempt to insert a false point of view into our lives. Exactly what the devil did with Jesus in the desert.  Remember, the enemy wants to steal, kill and destroy.  So the enemy will insert a false POV to steal, kill, destroy ….  For example, “You’re a loser. You’ll always be a loser.” 

The enemy will keep inserting their POV until it takes root.  The enemy will then build upon that POV until it becomes a theme in our lives. 

This is where that story comes in.  So now the theme or story is no longer “You’re a loser,” but “I’m a loser.”  Because of how the human brain works, we see and hear that story everywhere we go. Even if we win at something, the story is still “I’m a loser.”

Now, the lofty opinion is the opposite but just as detrimental.  A lofty opinion is basically an arrogant and prideful stance against God and others. Overinflated self.  Instead of beating us down, the enemy exalts us – too high.  “You’re better than _____.  You deserve more ____.  God owes you. You don’t need God.”  It goes on.  

So what’s the solution?  Paul said – we must take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.  This is where spiritual warfare begins to take place.  And

Spiritual warfare is largely a battle of truth. 

Who is God?  Who is Christ?  Who am I in Christ? Who has authority.  What does God say about me, us, about sin, about the cross, about the blood ….  It’s a battle for truth.  We take captive the false, put it in a box, set it at the feet of Jesus and exchange it for His truth.  We keep doing that until the stronghold is destroyed. 

There is so much more to say about this – and we will in weeks to come.  Just a few questions.  But first, let’s invite the Spirit of Truth to speak to us. 

Is there or do you suspect that there might be a stronghold or theme in your life.  If so, what do you want to do about it? 

Where might you have a ball and chain - not fully free? 

What is the story you are telling yourself each day?  What story does God want you to tell yourself?  Be careful – make sure it’s God’s story.  

What truths do I need to hear / say / believe? 

What lies do you need to take captive and submit to Christ?    

Blessing

Let me bless you with a Scripture. 

Ephesians 5:11–14 ESV

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”