Strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:1–6 KJV 1900

1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Paul was concerned with what the Corinthians were believing and wanted to warn them He needed to let them know the truth and not to believe the lies of the false teachers-preachers

The enemy knows if they can only get one brick laid that is a start

The Stronghold Cycle

Introduction:

every stronghold begins with a foundational lie. The enemy whispers — and if we allow that lie to land, the first brick is laid.

“Church, I want to show you something today that the Lord has been stirring in my spirit. Every one of us is in a battle—not out there, but in here (point to head). It’s the battle of the mind.

The enemy knows if he can win here, he can win everywhere. But the Word of God says in 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 “4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Strongholds don’t happen overnight. They are built thought by thought, step by step, until they become chains. But I came to tell you—what the enemy builds, God can break! Today we’re going to look at the cycle of a stronghold—how it forms, and how Jesus breaks it.”

The Cycle

I. Thoughts – The Seeds of Strongholds

Every stronghold begins as a single thought — what you dwell on shapes who you become and the direction of your life.

“Every stronghold begins with a thought. Proverbs 23:7 “7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.”

Proverbs 23:7 “7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.”

Your thoughts are seeds.

They’re either seeds of truth planted by God or seeds of lies whispered by the enemy.

You can’t control what birds fly over your head, but you can control which ones build a nest.

Illustration: If I plant corn, I don’t expect apples. If I plant lies, I won’t reap freedom—I’ll reap bondage.

Key truth: You can’t stop thoughts from coming, but you can stop them from taking root.”

II. Deception – Lies Masquerading as Truth

Deception

“Now watch this—when a thought is accepted, it becomes deception.

Deception distorts reality and blinds you to truth, allowing lies to masquerade as wisdom and become the foundation of a stronghold (Colossians 2:8)

Colossians 2:8 “8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

2 Corinthians 11:14 “14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

Deception is dangerous because it feels like wisdom. It looks logical. It even sounds right. But it’s a lie wrapped in shiny paper.

Example: Instead of saying, ‘I failed,’ deception makes you say, ‘I am a failure.’ That lie becomes your identity.

III. Emotions – The Gas Pedal

“Then emotions come in. James 1:14–15 “14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Emotions are the fuel that give life to thoughts — once stirred, they push you toward action, whether godly or destructive (James 1:14–15).

Emotions are the gas pedal.

They take the thought and push it into overdrive.

Think about just a few emotion the enemy will use as weapons against us.

Anger, fear, rejection—these emotions don’t stay quiet; they drive us.

Illustration: It’s like striking a match, then pouring gasoline. Suddenly the fire spreads.

Key truth: Emotions are not evil, but if they’re not surrendered to God, they will push you toward destruction.”

IV. Actions – The Fruit of Belief

“Next, thoughts and emotions produce actions.

Actions

Actions are the visible fruit of your inner belief system—they either reinforce truth or strengthen deception (Galatians 6:7)

Galatians 6:7 “7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Actions are the fruit of your inner belief system. If you believe a lie, you’ll act out of that lie. If you believe God’s truth, your life will reflect His freedom.

Jesus said, ‘By their fruits you will know them’ (Matthew 7:20).

Matthew 7:20 KJV 1900

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Key truth: Actions are visible evidence of your inner belief system.”

V. Patterns – The Prison of Repetition

“And here’s the dangerous part. One action repeated becomes a pattern.

A pattern is a repeated way of thinking and acting that keeps you walking the same path, making change difficult without God’s intervention (Ephesians 4:22–24).

Ephesians 4:22–24 “22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

A pattern is a rut.

It’s doing the same thing again and again until you can’t imagine change.

That’s why the Bible compares sin to slavery—it traps you.

A small amount of Leven Leven a whole loaf doesn't take much sin

Patterns

Illustration: Like a wheel stuck in mud. The harder you spin, the deeper you sink.

Key truth: Patterns become prisons, but Jesus sets captives free.”

Conclusion – Breaking the Cycle

FREEDOM

“Now, here’s the hope.

What starts with a thought can be broken by truth.

What becomes deception can be shattered by revelation.

What emotions fuel, the Spirit of God can calm.

What actions reveal, the blood of Jesus can cleanse.

And what patterns enslave, the power of God can set free.

John 8:32 says, ‘And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’

John 8:32 KJV 1900

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Church, I declare today: no matter how long the cycle has been spinning, Jesus is greater than the cycle. His truth is stronger than deception. His Spirit is stronger than emotions. His grace is stronger than sinful patterns. And His cross is stronger than every stronghold.”

Paul wanted the Corinthians to pull down the strongholds remove this sin the sin that started with a thought in the mind a small lie that led them away from the truth - the devil is deceptive he will do all he can to get you to believe a lie or lies but unfortunately it starts with just one little lie and then it can spread’s like a wildfire lets put the fires of lies out