GOD DESTROYS STRONGHOLDS.

SERIES: GOD NEVER FAILS

TEXT: 2^nd Corinthians 10:3-5.

A stronghold is anything that exerts ungodly control over your life. A stronghold could be fears, sin, generational curses, wrong mindsets, belief, disbeliefs, addictions, philosophies and demonic altars.

Strongholds often stand as invisible but powerful barriers to divine fulfilment and spiritual progress.

Strongholds are not eternal, they can be pulled down. No matter how long they have stood, the power of God is stronger and greater.

Instead of managing the stronghold, you must destroy it. Don’t excuse it, but confront it. There is freedom in Christ Jesus. God is a Mighty warrior who pulls down strongholds and breaks every chain that binds His people.

Many people including Christians live in cycles of defeat not because they lack potential or effort, but because spiritual strongholds are still active in their lives. Just as physical strongholds were used to control territories in ancient times, spiritual strongholds control destinies today. Strongholds must be recognized and destroyed by the power of God.

Our God is not intimidated by any stronghold. He specializes in destroying what the enemy has build over years.

The walls of Jericho came down not by human strength, but by divine intervention.

God is the same yesterday and today and forever. God tears down every barrier in the lives of those who believe in Him. Let us learn:-

WHAT ARE STRONGHOLDS?

1. Strongholds are mental or spiritual fortresses of bondage.

• Strongholds are fortified lies or spiritual forces that keep people in bondage-2^nd 10:4.
• Strongholds are build up in three stages:-

1. Beliefs/disbeliefs.
2. Attitudes.
3. Values.

• Beliefs are the statements that we tell ourselves. These statements are about ourselves, other people, the world or about God.
• These beliefs and disbeliefs form our worldviews.
• A worldview is like “sunglasses.” If you wear green, blue, dark, orange or pink, you see according to your color of glasses.
• Sunglasses and neon lights are means to change realities!!

2. Strongholds are patterns that resist God’s truth.

• These are arguments and opinions that oppose God’s knowledge and keep people captive-2^nd 10:5.
• The three components of logical arguments are:-
• Claim-The main assertion or opinion being argued.
• Premises-The evidence or reasoning that supports the claim.
• Conclusion-The final point being proven, logically derived from the premises.

3. Strongholds are often rooted in personal history or family background.

Many strongholds come from generational curses, past trauma or negative experiences-Exodus 20:5.

4. Strongholds are demonic systems that hinder spiritual growth.

• These are not just habits but demonic structures that prevent obedience and progress- 6:12.
• The city of Jericho was a physical stronghold that had to fall for Israel to enter the promised land-Joshua 6:1-20.

GOD HAS POWER TO DESTROY EVERY STRONGHOLD.

1. God’s power is mighty and unchangeable, No force can withstand God’s power. His name is a strong tower-Proverbs 18:10.
2. He disarms principalities and powers. Jesus Christ spoils every spiritual ruler on the cross- 2:14-15.
3. He gives His children authority over the enemy through Christ, we have power to trample every demonic influence-Luke 10:19.
4. He breaks the yoke and lifts burdens. The anointing of God breaks and destroys every yoke-Isaiah 10:27.

• Gideon was used by God to destroy the altar of Baal in his father’s house-Judges 6:25-32.

STEPS TO PULL DOWN STRONGHOLDS.

1. Identify the stronghold.

• You cannot fight what you don’t recognize. Be honest about what is holding you back-Lamentations 3:40.

2. Use the weapon of God’s word.

• The scripture is a mighty weapon that breaks false beliefs and spiritual chains- 4:12.

3. Live a life of prayer and fasting.

• Some strongholds require consistent spiritual warfare to be broken- 17:21.

4. Walk in obedience and repentance.

• Disobedience empowers strongholds, obedience to God breaks them down-James 4:7.
• Paul and Silas prayed and praised in prison and the prison foundation shook-Acts 16:25-26.

RESULTS OF DESTROYING STRONGHOLDS.

1. Spiritual liberty and peace.

• When strongholds are broken, the believer enjoys freedom in Christ- 5:1.

2. There will be progress and fulfilment of destiny.

• God’s plan becomes easier to fulfil when barriers are removed- 29:11.

3. There will be victory in spiritual battles.

• Your prayer life and spiritual authority will carry more weight-Romans 8:37.

4. There will be restoration and divine uplifting.

• God will restore that which strongholds stole, destroyed or was lost-Joel 2:25.
• When the madman of Gadara was set free, he was restored to usefulness-Mark 5:1-20.

CONCLUSION

• Strongholds are not eternal-They can be pulled down.
• No matter how long they have stood, the power of God is greater.
• Don’t manage the stronghold destroy it. Don’t excuse it, confront it. There is freedom in Christ.
• As you surely submit to God and resist the devil, you will begin to see walls fall, chains break and doors open.

PRAY.

• Dear Father in heaven, every stronghold in my life, let it be destroyed by fire-In Jesus name.
• Oh, Lord, reveal to me any hidden bondage I must confront and break.
• I receive power to overcome every strong satanic fortress holding me down.
• Lord, uproot every evil foundation in my family that is resisting my progress.
• Every inherited stronghold in my bloodline, be shattered today in Jesus name.
• Lord, I pull down every imagination and thought that opposes God’s plan for my life.
• Lord, let every stronghold for fear, doubt and sin in my life break now-in Jesus name.
• I now declare restoration of every blessing the stronghold has stolen or destroyed from me. Amen.