Tearing Down Strongholds
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The War
The War
Wether we notice it or not we are at war.
The greatest war happening today is in the mind.
The way we think defines how we live!
Prov 27:3 says “as a man thinks so is he”
Example if you think you can do a certain job chances are you will do it.
If you think you cannot do a certain job chances are you won’t do it.
The Apostle Paul understood this war.
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
This is a losing a battle.
Do you like the direction your thoughts are taking you?
Sick and tired of being sick and tired of being poisoned by your own thoughts?
Tired of losing the war in your mind?
Change the way you are Thinking!
Change what you believe!
Change your thoughts and change your life.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
First think or meditate
Then act on them and Peace will follow.
The first step starts with your mind! Think
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
The way you think is the way you live.
Your strongest thoughts determine your direction in life.
God wants to renew your mind and give you power to transform you life.
Christianity is not based on behavioral changes but in life transformation! Internal transformation. Believe first and you will see.
Our Thoughts cannot be according to the flesh… our feelings and our own understanding.
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.
We can become prisoners of our thoughts!
Striving to change but never successful.
We won’t be able to experience the fullness of God without changing the way we think.
So where and how does this change happen?
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
Before we tear it down lets understand what we are up against.
A stronghold is a fortification. Something you build stronger over time.
A strategic military defensive building for hiding your most valuable things. Political Leaders, treasures
A place of security or survival
A stronghold is a place made for you not to be able to get into.
The problem is that what we are trying so hard to defend or protect is actually what is killing us.
Until we face the real issues in our hearts we won’t be able to win the war and transform our life.
Example of new year resolutions
The city is not what we need to conquer. until we defeat the stronghold the city will rebuild itself.
Remove the Lie
Replace with the Truth
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The Devil is our enemy but he doesn’t want you to know that.
The Devil doesn’t want you to fight back
Take up Your Armor
Stand
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
The Devil wants to steal, kill and destroy
Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.
He wants to stop you!
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
He want to devour you
Satan is a deceiver and liar!
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Satan will do this work by Lying to you.
Those days can be over but that is your call!
A lie believed to be true will affect your life as if it were true!
I always thought that I was not enough. No matter how well I did something It didn’t matter it obviously meant that it wasn’t good enough.
Do not become a victim of your mind.
Take every thought captive!
Jesus wants to pour His life and truth into you!