“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV
Strongholds are defendable positions and many equate them as good, but when the enemy has built a stronghold in your life it is a bad thing. He has you captured in an area and will defend his position with all his might. His lies keep us captured and he is relentless with the barrage.
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
John 8:44 KJV
Recognizing we have a stronghold is important. Seeing it for what it is gives us the clarity to address it; a stronghold is sin. If the devil has told us that our addiction is not sin, and we have believed him, then, in our minds, we have no need for repentance. Another lie is we can't overcome it, or even "we can whenever we want!" Denial is the surest way to stay captured, and the enemy knows it; deception is one of his biggest weapons; as is procrastination.
If you ask God to show you the stronghold(s) in your life, He will! If, however, you continually refuse to address them, your heart will harden, and you will cease to hear from Him. That's what happens when we love our sin more than Him.
He has given us the ways and means to overcome through His Holy Spirit! But we have to come to a place where we cry out to Him and surrender the fight!
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 6:12 KJV
When we surrender He will fight our battle for us!
I have had many strongholds, that God and I have faced! But, the stronghold I remember that took the longest to overcome was smoking. I smoked for 20 years, and it had come to the point that every time I laughed, I would cough uncontrollably. I began trying to quit on my own. I would make it a few days and would be miserable! I also made everyone around me miserable. Another thing, my husband smoked and while trying to quit he smelled so bad to me, I couldn't stand to be around him.
About my third effort at quitting, (I remember) I had been sick with a bug and for a couple of days; only smoked 2 cigarettes daily where I had smoked 2 - 3 packs a day! I was sick and facing surgery; at the end of my rope, and cried out to God! I asked Him to deliver me from my addiction and also from the smell, "because I had to be able to hug my husband!"
He did!
I have not smoked since that day; have had no desire to do so! I also do not smell that horrific smell on anyone that smokes! God is faithful!!! He gets all of the glory! That was, I think, 13 years ago. That feels like it was another person; He's brought me that far!
I had faith in Him. I knew I couldn't quit, for I had tried. I knew it was harming me and I knew He didn't like it! I wanted to be free and I knew only He could set me free! I also knew it was sin. I wanted to turn and He gave me the hand up, I needed!
Brother and Sister, you can be free too, of any stronghold in which the devil has you captured! He did it for me; He will do it for you! But you HAVE to want to be set free! You must surrender! You must see the addiction (to whatever) as sin and repent! He WILL do it, but you have your part too!
The church has "acceptable sins", because it has "lowered the bar!" Jesus still says "go and sin no more!" (John 8:11)
If you don't believe that God will deliver you then your problem is unbelief; also a sin! You need to read your Bible from cover to cover daily, and learn WHO God IS! He IS the same today as in the Old Testament! He has not changed!
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8 KJV
Ask God to show you your sin!
He will!
Cast down your high places
(strongholds)
And repent, for time is short!
Even so - MARANATHA!
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