I recently had a conversation with a friend about spiritual strongholds. We talked about how these strongholds act as forces that bind us against our will. Initially, we might have some control over them, but as we engage with these forces, they start to entrap us. Once caught in these spiritual chains, we find ourselves unable to be the best version of who God created us to be. Recognizing this reality is crucial, as it compels us to break free from these chains to experience true liberty in Jesus Christ.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
The truth is, our world is filled with broken individuals trapped by strongholds. Many of them yearn for freedom, yet they remain ensnared by wickedness. If we look at our modern streets, we can see people consumed by various forms of evil—be it alcohol, drugs, pornography, or deceptive teachings. These influences distort our perceptions and lead us to act in ways that are not aligned with God’s will.
Many people’s desires for freedom collide with the desires of a corrupt, flesh-driven humanity. This struggle often makes it incredibly difficult to break free from these strongholds. Yet, amidst all this darkness, we have hope in Jesus Christ. His sacrifice gives us victory over the enemy’s strongholds and empowers us to become more like Him.
It doesn’t have to be this way. You Have The Power Over Strongholds
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
Even though it can be very difficult, it doesn’t have to be this way. We truly have the power to overcome any spiritual stronghold. The Bible teaches us that it is “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” We can hold to the fact that Jesus Christ our Lord is Higher than the highest, and He is on our side.
Think of an enemy as anything or any one that opposes the will and the presence of God in your life. This thing, or person might seem good by earthly standards, yet if it does not lead us more into God’s presence, it is not good for us. We have the power, through the grace of Jesus Christ, to overcome every enemy. The Scripture in 2 Corinthians 10:4 teaches us that we have weapons that are mighty to pull down strongholds. We must both recognize and use these weapons of our warfare.
Endurance is the key, to never give up.
A major key to overcoming is to endure our cross. Jesus had to despise the shame of the cross in order to defeat the enemy of sin. You too must do the same. While you walk with God it is inevitable for you to learn the art of endurance. You must press towards the mark, against the odds, to receive your crown.
You might pass through many defeats, but you must never be defeated. And you might lose a battle, but you can never lose the war. The bad news is that by ourselves we cannot win this war. The good news is that with Jesus Christ we have already won. As a result, our duty is to trust in the process of God, believing that He has made a way, because He is the Way.
We must continue to endure no matter what. The enemy cannot win us if he doesn’t win our minds. Therefore, we must guard our minds, and our hearts, and continue to walk by faith. There is no worst case scenario as we walk with God. Either we live and continue to do His work, or we die and be with our Lord. God’s will is perfect. We must consider this as we endure our cross.
The Beauty of the Cross
If you are not on God’s side, get on it. You must partner with God to build an amazing life. God is very creative at making beautiful lives. Consider the beauty of the Cross, and Jesus’ life. Even though He is the crowned King of Kings, His earthy life was full of pain. Christ had to endure the hanging on a cross, and the slashing of wicked men. They spat in His face, and ridiculed Him, yet He was obedient to the last mile of the way. He didn’t complain, or sidetrack, but He marched to the cross as a wounded lamb. The lamb of God was slain so that you might receive beauty for your ashes.
The Bible says that death is swallowed up in the victory of Jesus Christ. Jesus defeated death, sin and flesh when He died on the cross. It is through this beautiful Cross, that you and I can rise from any dead place. I could try to convince you with philosophies of men, but the truth is that the Cross is what gives us victory.
There are many people who face very difficult situations. Sometimes my heart become really heavy when I consider the needs of broken people. Yet it doesn’t have to be this way. It is sin that has caused us to become so broken. What if we turn from sin and follow God? If we all should turn to God away from sin, God promised that He would heal our land. The reality is that we have not done that up to this point. Can’t we do it?
What we must ensure more than ever, is that we live personal lives that exemplify God. We are in the world but we must not be of it. We must not allow the world to cause us to live a life that doesn’t glorify God.
There Is Power Through Grace That Is Sufficient
Consider this: without God’s grace, none of us could overcome the common enemy we face. No matter how accomplished or capable you believe yourself to be, you cannot succeed without grace. We have all sinned, and the wages of sin is death. Without grace, death would be our only reward.
Yet through grace, we can defeat the enemy and experience victory in God. As you move forward, embrace the grace available to you. Grace represents the unearned favor of God towards us, a gift we don’t deserve due to our sin. However, the Cross has made it possible for us to enter the grace-filled presence of our God.
The Armor is Our Protection
One of the most crucial aspects of winning any battle is learning how to fight correctly. Fighting right means approaching the battle in a way that guarantees victory. When it comes to our spiritual warfare against our common enemy, Satan, we must understand that God has already provided us with protection.
In Ephesians 6, the Bible lays out this protection, describing it as the weapons of our warfare. These weapons are not physical, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. As followers of Christ, we are equipped with spiritual armor to defeat the enemy.
But what exactly is this armor, and how do we use it? Ephesians 6 outlines this spiritual armor: the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. These pieces of armor shield us from Satan’s fiery darts, sever the chains of sin, and protect us from falling into bondage.
By wielding this armor, we claim victory through Jesus Christ, our Mighty Warrior. It’s essential to be vigilant in putting on the full armor of God, so when the day of evil comes, we will be able to stand firm and emerge victorious.
Concluding Thoughts
As we grapple with the adversary of our souls, we often find ourselves ensnared by spiritual strongholds. These strongholds hinder us from exercising our spiritual authority and becoming all that God intends for us.
Although we may feel the weight of these chains, we possess the power and authority to break free from them. This power comes from the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and it is essential that we recognize this truth and embrace the freedom it offers.
In the midst of these spiritual strongholds, we are equipped with weapons that are mighty through God. We can utilize these spiritual weapons to defend ourselves against the enemy and to break free from his grip. It’s crucial to learn about these weapons and employ them effectively.
Whether it’s the sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, or the helmet of salvation, these tools empower us to set ourselves free and maintain that freedom. May God strengthen us in our journey, helping us to grow more like Him every day. Be blessed!
