Strongholds: Spiritual weapons and warfare

Recently during a Fellowship Group discussion, the subject of Strongholds was discussed.

Strongholds have long been a bit mysterious and so I thought that I would briefly address the subject.

Strongholds are weights that weigh you down
Imagine for a moment a hot air balloon. Perhaps in movies, or maybe even in real life, you have seen a hot air balloon weighted down by sandbags.

They are (or were) thrown over the side like you would throw an anchor over the side of a boat. Obviously the idea is that the excessive weight would hold the balloon down. As the balloon was ready to ascend the sandbags would be disconnected. As each weight is removed, the balloon would ascend higher.

For those in covenant with the Most High God, strongholds are as weights that work to keep you down. We all have them in varying degrees. Some are heavier than others and obviously the more excess weight that you have, the harder it will be for you to reach your destination. Strongholds are clearly something that the Remnant of God would want to eradicate.

Understanding strongholds is critical
Understanding strongholds is critically important to your spiritual growth and your relationship with Yeshua. God is pulling His people out of the world’s systems. As individuals embrace their call, a conscious decision with a purposeful plan must be engaged in order to accomplish what God has for you. This plan should certainly include addressing strongholds.

Over the last couple of centuries, America’s mainstream religion has grown more and more apathetic, effeminate, and submissive. As a part of the Remnant, it will be necessary for you to embrace the reality that you are a soldier in an epic battle. In order for you to win, you should expect to have to learn, train, practice, and become efficient at spiritually overcoming the adversary in spiritual warfare.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

Matthew 11:12 

Military strongholds
Militarily, a stronghold is a fortified structure that provides protection for combatants.

Following is a video that will show you some photographs of military strongholds in use during World War 2.

Again, what we are talking about here is SPIRITUAL warfare; not physical warfare. However, as you know, to help understand spiritual concepts it is often advantageous to put them in a physical context.

During the war, militaries of all sides of the war constructed fortified structures (strongholds) that were called “pillboxes”. They dotted the landscape throughout Europe.

As you watch this video, pay close attention to their locations. Many were placed on high ground, or sometimes partially embedded into the earth. Obviously this is for the purposes of provided maximum protection for the defending army and maximum effect against the attacking army.

While most pillboxes were constructed of reinforced concrete, in some cases local conditions required adaptability.

Strongholds in the Bible
We see these kinds of structures referenced in the Bible also. Sometimes caves were utilized.

And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strongholds.  Judges 6:2 

In the “New Testament”, the word “stronghold” is utilized only one place and that is 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)  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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

In this Scripture, Apostle Paul is indicating that we are to use spiritual weaponry to destroy “strongholds” that are warring against the Messiah.

Biblically, a stronghold is basically anything that persistently distracts and / or prevents you from intimately uniting with God.

Strongholds in the lives of a Believer
The strongholds that Apostle Paul is referring to above is obviously something that exists in the life of someone in covenant with Yahweh God.

These strongholds can either be internal or external. They are anything and everything that works to create a barrier between ourselves and the Messiah: This may include curses, evil spirits (internal or external), a repetitive thought, a relationship, habit, ungodly influence, or other things.

Removing Strongholds
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Following is a pretty good depiction of what it looks like to destroy an enemy stronghold in warfare.

It’s a fight to the finish
Obviously, strongholds are dangerous. Every available resource should be deployed to completely remove them.

In the video, did you notice that the offenders who were manning the pillbox were not greeted with open arms and invited to sit down with their captors to a 5-course meal with champagne?

In verse 6, above, we read: “And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

The Greek word used there has a broad application but it carries with it an inference of judicial justice. In this case, that word revenge would probably be better translated “court-martial”.

In other words, if there is a stronghold in your life, then you should be doing whatever is necessary to destroy it.

It’s a war. Be assured that the only plan the adversary has for your life is to steal it, murder you, and destroy any and all aspects of God’s glory that exists on earth.

The battle for your soul, and the rest of God’s creation, is probably much, much, more violent than you have been led to believe. In fact, it is almost assuredly more vile and violent than you can even imagine. Not only that, it is a fight to the finish and there are “no holds barred”.

So, regardless of the source: Regardless of whether the strongholds that are coming against you originate either internally, or externally, commit to eradicating them completely with no reservations.

Blessings in Yeshua, 
Parson Rayphe
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