Week 5

Day 5

Strongholds

Yesterday we looked at the power struggle going on within ourselves: the power of sin against the power of the Holy Spirit. Today we are going to focus on why it is vitally important to win the war.

The sins of the flesh dishonor God. The unhealthy desires of the flesh are opposed to God and His perfect will. We are constantly choosing between two kingdoms: life and death, light and darkness, truth and lies, freedom and slavery. At times we may, consciously or not, allow our adversary to have authority or position in our lives. The Scriptures call these "strongholds" or "footholds."

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21

Think about your journaling yesterday where you looked at the personal struggles you have had between sin and the Spirit. It is likely your struggle falls into one of these categories highlighted in the passage above. These are not just weaknesses. In the eyes of God, they are direct acts of rebellion against Him, and what He desires for us.

Sin gives the enemy a stronghold in our lives. Even though all legal claims Satan had against us were canceled when we chose to follow Christ, our willful indulgence of sins of the flesh is like a chink in our armor. Satan can exploit this and try to force his way back into our lives. He is an opportunist, looking for any little crack or foothold we give him in our ignorance or self-pride. He drives in a wedge, tempting us, trying to catch us in weakness, trying to entice us to give in to unhealthy desires and act out in the old nature.

It's important we are clear on two points regarding strongholds. First, a stronghold is more than a sin. Satan has taken a natural desire in us and supercharged it to create something beyond our control. He has twisted a weakness we have into a binding knot where he is holding the ropes. It is not something we can overcome on our own by trying really hard or being really "good." A stronghold is a spiritual battle Satan is waging for our souls. This battle is fought in the spiritual realm and is beyond what we can fight without the Spirit's help.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

The second thing we must realize about strongholds is that we usually keep them secret. This continues to give Satan power. The shame or guilt associated with our strongholds keeps them locked inside us, which is exactly where Satan can fuel his lies. As secrets, they weigh on our souls and become burdens onto which Satan continues to pile embarrassment, fear, judgment, despair, and more. Keeping our strongholds secret is the enemy's effective plan of attack.

We can often be blind to our own strongholds. They may start out as sin, but if not dealt with, can spiral down into strongholds. Others may be the result of sin acted upon us, such as abuse or violence against us. Some may be caused by generational sin, something that "runs in the family." Regardless of their origin, God has the authority and has victory over Satan's hold on us.

How do we ensure that we win victory over strongholds? There are three important steps.

Honesty/Confession

We need to begin by asking the Holy Spirit to reveal sins that are particular areas of concern. At the end of this section, we've included a list of common strongholds. Once God has shown us our particular areas of sin, we, in turn, must confess them to God. Confession means "to call it as it is." For example, don't refer to it as a momentary lapse of judgment; call it an attraction to pornography or a lustful desire. Don't call it a little indulgence; agree that it is materialism or selfish greed. Don't call it a prayerful concern; acknowledge it as gossip. Don't call it irritability when you know it is self-righteous anger or bitterness. God knows what it is, but He wants you to know it too. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Surrender/Repentance

This step involves actively, aggressively, and with God's help, turning away from the areas in which you know you have sinned. Repentance is like saying, "I was walking in one direction but now I deliberately turn and walk in the opposite direction." The Book of Acts says, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" (Acts 3:19).

When we do this, God smiles. Luke 15:10 says, "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Turning from our old ways in the name and strength of God reveals dependence and trust in Him. He is honored when we faithfully walk toward Him and away from the stronghold of the enemy.

Accountability/Freedom

We can't do this alone. If it is a stronghold, by definition it will be challenging to walk away from it. God puts people in our lives whom we can lean on and walk with through this turning from sin. When we confide in a trusted Christian friend, we are relying on the body of Christ to hold us accountable, encourage us, cheer us on, and if necessary, drag us along when the going gets tough. James 5:16 says, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."

In our Rooted groups this week, we will be doing this in a way that is sensitive, confidential and honoring to God and each other.

To walk in the Spirit is a moment-to-moment awareness of God's presence and power in our lives. This happens in prayer when we begin with honest confession of our sin, turning away from it, and then yielding to God in all areas of our lives. As we ask the Spirit, who is already in us, to fill us and give us strength to live Godly lives, we can set out in His strength to live a life of obedience. 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises us, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

Please note, this exercise may be painful and reopen wounds that your Rooted group may not be qualified to address. To pursue greater healing, you may need to seek counseling or therapy from a qualified professional in a safe atmosphere.

After breaking strongholds, you may experience a new or intensified spiritual battle. You may feel like your new freedom didn't quite "stick" or that maybe you don't have what it takes to break free. You don't. But God does. And HIS power is in you! You have all the authority of Heaven to stand in VICTORY over Satan and his ways. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is in you and allows you to walk in freedom every day. Claim that power in the name of Jesus. You are free.