When I started to look at this, the Lord opened this up to which I hadn’t seen before. Strongholds are to be pulled down and to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. I have been told this but what does this mean and what must I do? (The two greatest questions asked at Pentecost.)
Your train of thought is important to Father and satan knows this. Look at what he did with Eve then Adam. Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” We all know what happened after they followed that voice. How you live your life is impacted by what voices you listen to. These voices build stronghold in your thought patterns. Let me give you an example. The political party that you follow. Someone had to tell you about this. Did you search it out what they said? Do you continue to search for this information? Do you look to see if there is any contradictions to these thoughts? Can it be proven of these thought patterns? Does it line up with the voice of the Word of the Lord? You read correct. The voice of the Word of the Lord. Many twist the Word to their benefit like satan did when he used the Word against Jesus. Today many in the church twist the Word to what it is actually saying. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Notice that the first part of the verse doesn’t say that you are a sinner but people use the wisdom of men to twist the Word to mean something it doesn’t. That verse is actually speaking about the verse before. It’s referring to those who have a stronghold of I’m not a sinner, I have no need for the blood of Jesus. I don’t need this forgiveness. This is what John is saying. But that verse twisted has built a stronghold in people’s mind and if you question them, Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. Now if you don’t search out the truth in this, it will build a stronghold in your thoughts as well. People don’t realize that sin stops God and He can’t move until it’s removed. People who follow this stronghold use other parts of scriptures to prove their point. This is how denominations are built. Denominations are built on strongholds instead of building the body of Christ as one, the unity of faith. Divided satan wins but as one congregation, WOW!! Look at God’s people under the leadership of Joshua in the promise land. He defeated 31 Kings. Look at Jesus as He went into different cities and won them. But those cities who didn’t repent, woe to you.
The biggest war that we are in is the carnal mind vs the Spirit mind. Galatians 5:17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. This is why Paul wrote as well Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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. This is the battle of the mind which you can win in Christ. If you believe you are a sinner, then you are. If you believe you are saved and the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus then you will produce that fruit.
Now I want to show you what the lord connected for me which I hadn’t seen before. 2 Corinthians 10:2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal(flesh) but mighty in God (Spirit)for pulling down strongholds, 5 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, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. Did you click on mighty in God? When I read those words I heard armor of God. How do you pull strongholds down? Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. Here is a video of an example of this.
About 6 years ago, the Lord gave me verses to live by and I still do to this day. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. If your thought patterns aren’t free from guilt, condemnation or shame, then you are not in Christ. When people ask me how I am doing, I always tell them I am fantastic. At work I am known as captain fantastic. You may ask why I am always fantastic? The reason is Jesus is Lord of my life. My life doesn’t belong to me, it belongs to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. My circumstances don’t determine my life, my life in Jesus does. Be Blessed friends.