PULLING DOWN STRONGHOLDS

"The weapons of our warfare are not physical but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, refute arguments, theories, reasonings and every proud lofty things that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take 

every thought and purpose captive into the obedience of Christ" (2 cor. 10: 4-5).

Today's theme verse brings to our knowledge that there is a war we the Christians are constantly fighting. In fighting this war, we use weapons that are not physical. The question is, what kind of war are we fighting? What are we fighting at? and what are those weapons we use? To answer this question let's look at Ephesians 6: 12-7.

"For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put unto you the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand the evil day and having done all, to stand. So stand ready with TRUTH as a belt tight round your waist, with righteousness as breastplate, and your shoe the readiness to announce the good news of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the evil one. And accept salvation as a helmet. And the word of God as the sword of the spirit".

The above verse shows us that we are not fighting human beings but spiritual forces. Apostle Paul was able to give us a picture of the attire of a man on war. You must have watched war films? In those movies the men are dressed with armours like helmet, breastplates, shoes, shield, belts and sword. In our fight as Christians which are not physical, our weapons as noted by Paul include; Belt--TRUTH, Breastplates--RIGHTEOUSNESS, Helmet--SALVATION, Shield---FAITH, Sword--WORD OF GOD, and Our boots/shoes--READINESS TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS.  

   Take note of this, among our warfare weapons only the word of God representing the sword is an offensive weapon others are defensive weapons. We use it to cut down, or destroy our enemies while others shield us from our enemies attack. Again, Paul said "at all times carry faith as a shield for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the evil one". Paul wasn't suggesting that our shield-faith is more important than other weapons but your shield of faith should be strong enough to protect and defend every part of you to prevent these arrows shot by our enemies from getting to any part of us at the first place . That is to say, you should be able to use your shield to prevent the arrows from getting to your helmet of salvation or your breastplates etc. These burning arrows shot by the evil ones are what our theme verse called STRONGHOLDS and the evil ones being the spiritual forces.

    Many Christians see strongholds to mean a very huge or gigantic figure they might imagine or see in dreams or spirits that are very huge coming to attack them etc. However strongholds as we have read stand for ideas, theories, imaginations, reasonings, beliefs, false arguments that goes contrary to God's word, every proud thing that exalt itself against the knowledge of God causing people to act in ways that does not align with God's word. " Every proud thing" as seen in our theme verse refers to falsely exalted systems of ethics, religion, philosophy etc set forth by men to oppose and defy the knowledge of God. These are vain, unfounded opinions, dogmas, mindsets, biases, superstitions and beliefs that have become mental barriers in people's minds against the knowledge of God( pastor Chris). Strongholds can also be thoughts that have been established in your mind as a result of your background and the way you were brought up to think. They are formed as a result of the things you have seen, heard or experienced. They can be cultural and traditional beliefs that may be recognized and accepted as societal norms. But all they do is prevent new thoughts from God from entering your mind(Pastors Chris).

    Now, how do we fight and destroy these strongholds, thoughts and proud things that stand against the knowledge of God and his word to bring them to obey Christ? We achieve these by means of our spiritual weapons of truth, salvation, righteousnes, faith, the word of God and eagerness to spread the good news about our Lord Jesus Christ. Take for an example, you are about traveling, you boarded a bus, aircraft etc and all of a sudden a thought wells up in your mind saying what if we have accident on the way? what if we encounter robbery attack ? What if I don't make it?.. These are strongholds, thoughts in your mind raising itself against the word of God  instigating fear. When this becomes the case what do you have to do? Put on your whole armour of God. Use the word of God which is your sword concerning your going out and coming to destroy that thought. Psalm 121: 7-8 says " the Lord will protect you from all danger, He will keep you safe. He will protect you as you come and go". If that's not enough, use Psalm 91:11 "God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go". As you say this words to your self, use the armour of faith to back it by believing the word of God. Definitely, you would go and come back safely without fear. Once you have done this you have taken that thought captive and made it to obey Christ( word of God). This is the simplest example I can use to explain today's verse. This is all our theme verse is trying to teach us. It is as simple as that. Apply this in all facets of your daily life and you will be victorious in all that you do. Always wear your weapons, use them to bring down strongholds and make them obey Christ. SEE YOU SOON. LOVE YOU DEEPLY!