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Footholds, and Strongmen

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This Sunday I shared with the church one of the purposes of my fast: to address a spirit of abortion, and a spirit of mocking that has come against the Lord’s purposes for this church. In 2025 we have had two people note that they discerned a spirit of mocking in our church. One was a visiting missionary-evangelist, Fernando DeCarvalho. In February, the night before he was to minister to our church, this spirit visited him and his family in their hotel room. He, and his wife had to contend with this spirit through the night – in prayer – before our church service. Recently, during a time of worship, one of our church members discerned there was a spirit of mocking. She had no knowledge of Fernando’s word.

How should we respond? Ephesians 4:26-27 states: When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down.27 Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].

Three things: Note that it says, When angry…don’t sin. Implying that anger is going to happen – but don’t sin in the process. Next notice when anger is allowed to fester the enemy gains a foothold. Brother’s and sister’s have I been guilty of that. I despise addressing issues that are uncomfortable. Yet, here Paul teaches we must address them – should address them – before the sun goes down. Ouch! If, and when I don’t, I am allowing the enemy to gain a foothold. What happens when the enemy gains a foothold and is allowed to remain? When I don’t address the anger, or the sin I have allowed to enter, and remain?

Matthew 12:28-30 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you [before you expected it].29 Or how can a person go into a strong man’s house and carry off his goods (the entire equipment of his house) without first binding the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.30 He who is not with Me [definitely on My side] is against Me, and he who does not [definitely] gather with Me and for My side scatters.

Notice that in this passage Jesus addresses what He compares driving out demons, or deliverance ministry, to. He characterizes those who are demonized, or tormented by demons, as having their lives, or “houses” – occupied by a strong man.

How does a foothold, become a strongman? Amos 3:3 answers that question: Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed? In this case of having a strong man of demonic torment the Scripture seems very clear. We have the strong man of demonic torment because we allowed a foothold to grow into a strong man. If you apply Amos 3:3 to this passage you could say that you made an appointment to meet or get together. Not only did you make the appointment you made an agreement with the demon that is tormenting, and being the strong man over your house or life. Agreements in the spiritual realm are legal and binding contracts. Demons are the worst kind of prosecuting attorney you will have ever met. They will take your contractual agreement and wave it in the face of God. Because of that contract they now have a legal agreement over you, your spiritual house, or life. The only way to get them out is to break the agreement with them, and agree with God. That’s why identification of sin, confession of sin, and repentance of sin – changing your mind – is so important.

What do we do? What can we do? Identify the demonic footholds, and demonic strong men in your life. Identification is half the battle. This means you take the time to stop ignoring the enemy’s access to your thoughts, actions, and lifestyle. True confession of sin involves changing your mind and attitude toward the sin. God cannot and will not deliver us from our spiritual pets, or dark friends. In other words, as long as you continue believing it’s ok to keep these mental fortresses, actions, and lifestyles around – as “pets”, or friends – the enemy doesn’t have to leave and you have essentially tied God’s hands to your freedom.

What about you? Have you allowed some footholds to transform into demonic strong men in your life? Ask the Lord to help you identify the demonic footholds, and strong men in your life. Ask Him for Grace and the power of His Spirit to break the agreements once and for all.

Tomorrow I will address the next steps in how footholds transform from strong men to demonic strongholds and what processes you need to take to tear these down.

Pitch Black

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Jonah 2:4 But the Lord sent out a great wind upon the sea, and there was a violent tempest on the sea so that the ship was about to be broken.

How many of you know that when a storm breaks out on the ocean it becomes pretty dark? Now imagine being Jonah in which the storm looks dark, and angry. Most likely the sun is obscured from his view. Now multiply that darkness by being throwing into the ocean depths in which you begin sinking down out of what little light was available to you. Finally, let’s add to your darkness a fish that engulfs you – whole. But wait. It becomes worse. You are alone without God because you have been fleeing from His Presence. That’s a tangible darkness – thick and unending (like being in a cavern when they turn out the light).

What do you do? Psalm 119:130 The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. That word simple can mean foolish or open-minded. Our culture has been engulfed in darkness by being so open-minded their brains are falling out. Sadly, many have yet to recognize they are drowning in destruction, sinking into a hell that will never spit them out. What’s greater than a lost person’s darkness? The darkness of being a so-called follower of Jesus, and not living up to who He created you to be. The good news is Psalm 119:130. Jesus’ Light comes through the entrance of His Word. His word can enter any situation when you break agreement with what has plunged you into spiritual darkness. Simply by confessing where you have missed His Way and His Word – His Vision for mankind – you come back in to alignment harmonizing with the One Who (according to the rabbis) sung you into existence.

How did Jonah loose the Light of God’s Word into the darkness of His situation? Acknowledging God’s existence, and inadvertently confessing where He had walked away from God. Strangely, Jonah never seems to recognize his own glaring sins. What were some of the sins of Jonah that we share in?

Jnh. 1:5-6 – Pagan sailors feared God’s judgment more than Jonah. Many of the parables of Jesus, and 1 Corinthians 3 makes it clear that our works will be judged by fire. Paul simply asks in 1 Corinthians 3, Don’t you know that you are a temple of God and you will be rewarded or possibly lose your reward – in the Final Judgment? Scripture reveals in the book of Revelations Jesus will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Why are they crying? Do unbelievers fear God’s Judgment more than you? Do unbelievers fear the Scrutiny of God’s judgment more than you? Sure, they talk a good talk until they know eternity approaches. What about you?

Jnh. 1:5-6 – Jonah chose apathy and complacency over the spiritual condition of Assyria and Nineveh. Do you have an apathetic and complacent view regarding those around you who may spend an eternity in hell? Do you pray regularly for the lost? Do you engage people in conversations regarding eternal matters or does fear of man silence your voice? Do you fear man more than you fear God?