True or False
Inside my head is a gal named “Worst Case Scenario Cindy.” She often gets entangled in a lie that flows from a thought that stems from the fear of what could happen. She’s been known to entertain this fear more than she should.
I find myself going down an unhealthy road in my mind the moment unwanted circumstances present themselves. But just because bad things can occur doesn’t mean they will occur. If you find yourself engaging in this toxic mental tradition, let’s change that.
A spiritual stronghold is a thinking pattern that’s harmful because it’s built on falsehood. Strongholds can come from a variety of places: our surroundings, other people, and of course, the forces of darkness directed by our spiritual enemy. They affect our feelings, responses, and freedom. While a stronghold in ancient times was meant to keep enemies out, the forces of evil want to erect a stronghold to prevent negative thought patterns from ever leaving our minds. They work tirelessly, making it vital that we learn how to resist the forces of darkness.
If you wonder what strongholds are in your life, simply ask yourself this question: What negative thing has a strong hold in my life? It could be bitterness, worry, pride, or fear. If it’s ugly and you don’t like it, chances are it’s a stronghold. Once you’ve recognized it, then you find a Scripture that says the opposite and fight it.
It’s a war. A spiritual war to reclaim truth and peace in our minds. We cannot feel our way through spiritual warfare. We must use our greatest weapon—God’s Word. If you believe you’re unloved or unwanted, resist the lie by proclaiming, “I am a co-heir with Christ. I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.” (Romans 8:17; Ephesians 1:3-7) Saying truth is the easy part; living it takes practice. You may not “feel” like it’s the truth, but it is. Speak it ‘til you feel it. And then when you feel it, keep speaking it because it’s part of your fight in this war.
And are you armored up for the fight? The spiritual forces of darkness are always on the clock, committed to their cause of making our lives miserable. So grab that breastplate of righteousness, that glorious shield of faith, that all-powerful sword of the Spirit, and that mighty helmet of salvation, all the while standing there with your feet fitted with the gospel of peace. And stand your ground. No more negative strongholds on your watch.
You’ve got this. Because God’s got you.
—Cindy, Mastering Strongholds Through Spiritual Warfare
Pray: Jesus, I’m in a fight. I feel it. I’m fighting to break lies I’ve believed for far too long. I’m fighting to keep from believing new lies. And I know I can’t break through these strongholds without Your power. Help me to understand how to fight. Help me to choose the words Your Holy Spirit speaks to my mind. Help me to win this war and find the peace that You want to bring to every corner of my thoughts.
John 10:10 NIV : The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 4:20-24 NIV: That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
James 4:7 NIV: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Romans 12:2 NIV: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
