Destroying Strongholds
Where is Satan’s throne room?
I was talking with Dan Bohi the other day and he made this statement: “Satan’s throne room is wherever a lie is believed.” You may not like that answer, but I have to agree with it. The only real power that the enemy has over our lives is that what we give him. When you believe a lie you empower the liar. Jesus said of the enemy, “he does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Spiritual warfare is really a battle for your mind; it’s a battle of what you will come into agreement with. Will you agree with God’s Word, which is truth (see John 17:17), or will you align yourself to the enemy’s delusions? Whatever occupies your mind directs your life. Believing lies over a course of time will establish a spiritual stronghold in your mind. Ed Silvoso defined a stronghold this way: “A spiritual stronghold is a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable, situations that we know are contrary to the will of God.” In other words, we’ve believed the lies of the enemy to the point that all hope is lost. We give up and give in to the idea that things will never change; we’ll never be healed, we’ll never get out of the mess, our kids will never be saved, or we’ll never be free from this addiction. Even though God can and will bring transformation in our lives, our minds have become impregnated with hopelessness. We’ve become bound by deception.
The word “stronghold” is used one time in the New Testament, it’s found in 2 Corinthians 10:4 and is translated “fortresses” in the New American Standard Bible (NASB). A fortress (ochuroma) is a castle or a prison with high walls. Used in the context of this passage of scripture it describes a prison where someone is held captive and they are surrounded by very high walls. Paul actually described in these verses how fortresses (strongholds) are built, he said, “…speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5). “Speculations” describe imaginations, reasoning, and thoughts, and “lofty things” refers to something elevated that shouldn’t be. When the enemy speaks a lie, we should “take that thought captive” according to Paul (2 Cor. 10:5). Once that thought has been brought before Christ, if it doesn’t align to the Word then we cast it out. The moment that we entertain thoughts and imaginations that are contrary to God’s Word we start to build a wall. Over time, if we continue elevating lies above the knowledge of God, we will feel trapped, bound, and imprisoned in despair and hopelessness. As much as I hate writing this I’m describing too many people in churches; they aren’t free, they are bound by lies and imprisoned by strongholds. Consequently, they live with fear and joylessness; they seldom pray prayers of faith and they rarely fulfill their potential in Christ. Jesus may have their hearts but the enemy has influenced their minds. Can I tell you that you don’t have to live that way? Jesus came with the anointing to set captives free (see Luke 4:18). Note these words from Paul, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses” (2 Cor. 10:4). You have been equipped with the power of God to destroy, demolish, annihilate, and obliterate the wall of lies. You don’t stand against the enemy in your flesh; rather, you stand against him in the mighty power of God. You’ve been equipped with the “full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).
Paul said in Philippians 4:7, that the peace of God guards our minds. Think about that for a moment. His presence watches over our minds; His presence is like a sentinel that oversees everything that enters into it. Therefore, when a thought or an impression doesn’t line up to the Word we’re going to know it because the Spirit of God will alert us. It’s at that moment we are to take authority over that thought, impression, or suggestion that is incongruent with truth and throw it out of our mind. You have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to think correctly. Additionally, fill your mind with the Word of God because if you know the truth, then you will more easily recognize a lie. Paul said, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Phil. 4:8). If you are dwelling on news and events of our day or if you are listening to gripes, complaints, and negativity, then you will be more susceptible to believing lies. Your mind is like the control center of your spiritual life, you are what you think (see Prov. 23:7). Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus demolish and destroy all strongholds in your life; tear down the wall of lies and deception. Make your mind the throne room of God by walking in alignment to what His Word says about you and your life. Keep your eyes on Jesus (see Heb. 12:2) and you mind filled with Him, and you will walk in perfect peace (see Isa. 26:3).
Let’s pray
Jesus, we repent for agreeing with lies. We repent for elevating other things above your Word. Heaven and earth will pass away but your Word will remain. Therefore, cleanse and purify our mind and fill it with your Word. With your power help me to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Thank you that I can walk free from all strongholds.
