FREEDOM FROM DEMONIC STRONGHOLDS IN OUR MINDS

Ephesians 6:12 – “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV) – “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (ESV) – “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”

1. What is a Stronghold?

A negative pattern of thinking that can often lead to negative forms of behaviors, which are out of alignment with God’s will for a person. These negative forms of thinking are kept active and are enforced by the hosts of wickedness, demons. The role of demonic spirits, in this context, is to keep people in bondage to lies and in a place of defeat.

Derek Prince says, “A stronghold is something that blinds one’s mind so that the light of the Gospel cannot shine in.”

Dictionary.com describes “stronghold” as, “a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack; a place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld.”

2. How are Strongholds Formed?

A. Generational Patterns of Thinking Passed Down

B. Traumatic Events

C. Believing a Lie

D. Culture

3. What Do Strongholds Do?

A. They Keep Lies in Place

B. They Limit What You Can Do

C. They Negatively Influence Your Relationships with Others

D. They Blind You to The Provision of God

E. They Resist God’s Purpose for Your Life

F. They Resist God’s Purpose for The World

G. They Encourage Passivity and a Sense of Helplessness

4. Strongholds Can Exist in:

A. Our Mind, but Manifest or be Acted Out in Our…

B. Body: Addiction to Drugs; an Intense Hatred of One’s Body

C. Emotions: Rage; Rejection; Shame

D. Character: Selfishness; Rebellion; Insincerity; Blame-Shifting; Self-Righteousness

5. How to Deal with Strongholds

Romans 12:2 – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Ephesians 6:10-11 (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.”

Ephesians 6:12-13 (NIV) – “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.”

Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV) – “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.”

Ephesians 6:16-17 (NIV) – “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.”

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) – “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.”

6. Some Other Things to Consider

A. Hate the Stronghold – You Must be Serious

B. Some Strongholds Take Time to be Dismantled

C. Go Through the Process of Deliverance – Cleansing Stream, Restoring the Foundations, etc.

D. Stay Surrendered

E. War from a Place of Peace

F. Walk in Love

G. Release People – Forgiveness

H. Focus on the Dos, Not the Don’ts

I. Make Worship a Daily Priority

J. Be Presence-Focused, Not Demon-Focused

K. Be Accountable