PULL DOWN THE STRONGHOLDS

Dearly Beloved, PULL DOWN THE STRONGHOLDS "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" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV). There are many strongholds that the evil one is using against the Christian as an individual and as a whole. What are these strongholds? How can we pull them down? The ordinary definitions of the word "stronghold" do not connote any evil sense. However, one usage of the word in the Bible gives us more insight into the necessity of the theme. The only place that the word stronghold is used in the New Testament is in 2 Corinthians 10:4 where it is used metaphorically of those things in which mere human confidence is imposed. It is here beautifully used to denote the various obstacles resembling a fortress which exist, and which are designed and adapted to oppose the truth and the triumph of the Christian's cause. These strongholds are what Paul referred to as "principalities, ...powers, ...the rulers of [the darkness of this age, ... [and] spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV). They can be described as an atmosphere of darkness that has been strengthened or fortified for attack and affliction. They are the realms of spiritual warfare where the power of darkness strives to weaken the divine authority, usurp God’s authority and thwart the plan and purpose of God for His creation. Satan operates his strongholds in many areas. There are personal strongholds that lay siege against the individual in order to influence the life of the person negatively. No wonder, Job lamented, "Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1 NKJV). There are family strongholds that manifest in/through area of family life. The devil sees other institutions apart from the family as his catchments where he could prowl and thrive well in his activities. There are many satanic confederations that are operating as allies of the kingdom of darkness. They manifest themselves in the other religions of the world. These are what Paul referred to as "arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God" and "every thought" that we are to be pulled down and made “...obedient to Christ" in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. Moreover, there are community and territorial strongholds where Satan and his cohorts build formidable but invisible walls against geographical locations for firm possession and control that are determined by a lot of factors. Inasmuch as these strongholds are spiritual strongholds, it will require spiritual means to pull them down. Paul stated, "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV). This divine power is the kingdom power – the ability and authority of the King (God or Jesus Christ) that He has bestowed upon the people of His kingdom. This is the reason why Paul advised, "...be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.... that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV). The armour of God consists of godly virtues of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation as the defensive weapons, and the word of God and prayer as the offensive weapons (Ephesians 6:14-18). What are those strongholds that Satan and his cohorts have built against you? We cannot pretend as if they are not there. Human resources and power cannot pull down these strongholds. They are like the wall of Jericho that required obedience to divine instructions in order to pull it down (see Joshua 6). You also will be able to pull down all the strongholds of the devil in your life if you can be obedient to God’s instructions in His words, the Bible, by putting on the whole armour of God and fight the battle with the power of the kingdom. Victory is yours! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the spirit of obedience so that you will be able to pull down all the devilish strongholds in your life.