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2 Corinthians 10:3-5
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;

Last week we introduced our series on Spiritual Warfare and began discussing spiritual strongholds. This week we will continue with this train of thought. Paul tells us that our war is not against flesh, specifically meaning other people, but that our war is against imaginations, false knowledge, and disobedient thoughts. If we want to pull down strongholds, we must bring each of these into subjection.

We established that strongholds are not built by Satan, but they are used by him to prevent us passage into the fullness of the glory that God has for us. Strongholds are developed in our lives by listening to the lies of Satan and allowing unbridled thoughts to run rampant in our mind. This leads to inappropriate actions, which will lead to unholy habits.

We also glanced over the truth that there are individual strongholds, generational strongholds, as well as community strongholds. You as an individual can develop a personal stronghold built from the lies of the enemy. This stronghold can be passed on to your children and generations following if it is not torn down. How, because the lie is taught or passed down from one generation to the next. A community can develop a stronghold when a lie, or an ideology which is contrary to the Word of God is ignored and becomes accepted by the majority.

Isaiah 59:2-4, 7-8, 12-14
1 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

 7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

 12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;
13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

Last week, we mentioned that every demonic force has the same mission, to destroy us, but the strategies and tactics used to accomplish this will be different based on the person being attacked. I see ten examples in the above passage of scripture that the enemy uses to attack us.

 

  • A spirit of infirmity attacks your health (both mental and physical).
  • A spirit of lying attacks your perception.
  • A spirit of perversion attacks your intended purpose.
  • A spirit of error attacks your belief of truth.
  • A spirit of pride attacks your heart.
  • A spirit of fear attacks will attack your faith.
  • A spirit of heaviness attacks your joy.
  • A spirit of bondage attacks your freedom.
  • A spirit of rejection attacks your identity.
  • A spirit of jealousy attacks your relationships.

It’s important for us to pay attention to the details, for we must be able to identify how demonic forces are attacking us. Whether it be an individual, generational, or community stronghold. But not only did Paul warn us of where the strongholds come from, he also tells us we have weapons that can be used to tear them down. Notice how the passage from Isaiah continues.

Isaiah 59:16-17
16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

We must bring back to the forefront of our minds that God has given us authority over the enemy. And with this authority He has given us weapons to use to defeat our enemy and tear down strongholds. And hopefully you see the same thing here that Paul recognized. We are in a war, and as soldiers we are provided with weapons of warfare. The Whole Armor of God [Ephesians 6:13-17].