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Demonic Strongholds

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Yesterday we saw how a demonic foothold can turn into a demonic strong man. Unfortunately it doesn’t stop there. If the agreement or contract is not broken then the strongman that began as a foothold becomes a stronghold. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 states: For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,…

Let us revisit the demonic stages of torment or demonization. Yesterday we saw how a small demonic foothold left unaddressed transforms into a demonic strong man. Yet, when these two stages are ignored the strong man becomes a stronghold, or demonic fortress. What’s a demonic fortress? Demonic strongholds are spiritual fortresses – mental and soulish – built from lies, ungodly beliefs, habitual sins, traumas, soul and spirit hurts or wounds, generational cycles of sin, deceit, deception, and demonic agreements. Any of these give the enemy forces influence and control of a person’s mind, emotions, and lifestyle – hindering spiritual growth. Obviously, they aren’t physical places but entrenched mindsets like fear, pride, bitterness, judgments, hate, unforgiveness, etc. – that we have allowed to control our thinking and our living. 

What do we do? Ephesians 4:26-30 offers some exhortations: 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].28 Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.29 Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).

Take note of the steps: 

Don’t let anger remain

Do not give the devil any more room to have a foothold in your life

Let the thief steal no more

Get rid of foul or polluting language – this isn’t just talking about profanity, or profane speech. (If there is sacred speech there is profane speech). What it is talking about is speech that is attached to the feelings of anger, unforgiveness, criticism, judgments, malicious talk, bitterness, slander, gossip, etc.

Speak only what is beneficial to the spiritual progress of others

Give Grace to Others (that’s what’s still begin given to you by God. You didn’t deserve it when you first believed and confessed Jesus as Lord, and you still don’t. That’s why it’s called GRACE. You and I are saved by it – continuously)

Do not grieve the Spirit of God – do not put out the Spirit’s desires through disobedience; through His thoughts, words, and ideas. Remember, Rom. 3:10-12. No one is righteous, seeks God tries to understand, or seeks to be good. Any desires that align with these things is the Spirit – not the devil.

How do we apply these truths – practically? First, IDENTIFY the agreements you have made with the enemy. Second, AGREE with God and His Word. This is what confession of sin should be. Sin is agreements made with satan, and confession of sin is agreement with God and His Truth. This is followed by the third step, REPENTANCE. Repentance is where we change our thinking, activity, language, and lifestyle. True repentance involves no longer wavering between two opinions. Additionally, this is what the Bible describes as faith. Wavering between two opinions is unbelief. Fourth, ADDRESS THE STRONGHOLD, as a demonic strong man. For example, let’s say you cannot stop thinking about pornography, or fear, or anxiety. Once the thought begins you are powerless to resist it. So what do you do? What would you do if you could see a demon of fear, lust, pornography, or anxiety sitting on your chest and grabbing you by the throat?

Submit to God through surrender to His Lordship and specific confession of the sin. For example, let’s say it’s “fear.” Confession of sin is followed by addressing the demon sitting on your chest. “Fear” (or whatever the controlling sin is) I agree with you that I invited you into my life through___________. I invited you into my life but now I am inviting you to go. I am created in the image of God. With my freewill I invited you into my life and with my free will I am inviting you to go. With my freewill I can say, “Yes!” to God and with it I can say, “No!” Since God cannot violate my freewill neither can you. So, I’m serving you notice: “Fear” you have got to get out of my life, out of my spiritual house and temple. And one more thing. “Fear” I have been bought, purchased, and redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb – Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I don’t belong to you anymore. I belong to Jesus. Get out of my life and do not return! I do not want you. I don’t need you. I am temple for Jesus. You are not my friend – go to the feet of Jesus! NOW!

Last step: Begin thinking, talking, walking, and acting with and in the opposite spirit. In other words begin to practice what a follower of Jesus looks like who knows and believes, and trusts – that they are perfectly loved. Perfect love drives out fear. Thank the Lord for those things that are yours now by and through the Blood of Jesus, and by the Spirit of God. Begin talking like someone who knows they have been delivered. Begin acting, and walking like someone who is bold as a lion; is surrounded by angels; is washed in the Blood of the Lamb continuously – never stopping. Begin living like the fullness of the Godhead dwells within you. What does every knee have to do before Jesus? You are a child of the King, a new creation, seated in heavenly places with Jesus. Your name is written on His palms and His Book of Life.

Two Minds?

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1 Corinthians 2:16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

This is a profound promise. It’s truly intriguing when you compare 1 Corinthians 2:16 with Romans 12:2. Romans 12:2 states: Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude],….

Since we have the Mind of Jesus according to the promise of 1 Corinthians 2 why do we need to renew our minds, or our thought processes? How can a born-again, follower of Jesus have the perfect, untainted mind of Jesus and have a mind that needs to be transformed (metamorphosised), and renewed to the Mind of Christ? James 1:8 echoes this: [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything…To make matters worse the Apostle Paul states: Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot. In this passage in Romans 8:6-7 Paul states that not only do we have the Mind of Christ, we have the Mind of the Holy Spirit. In fact verse seven states in some translations that the mind of the flesh or soul is at enmity with God. It’s at war with God, hostile toward God, and is His enemy.

How can this be? According to the Bible you can deduce we are triune in similar ways the Godhead is Triune. We consist of body, soul, and spirit. Now I can’t speak for you but my experience has shown that even after I know I have been born-again, and have a personal relationship with the Godhead, I have done, and said things that were not Christ-like. How can this be? I have Jesus living in me. One day my body is going to die. Does that mean Jesus dies with my body or is there a more powerful explanation to the paradox? I have experienced some pretty demonic, dark, and evil thoughts in my mind and at times those thoughts seem to override anything I know in Scripture, and seemingly even Jesus Himself. How can this be since Jesus lives in me? Other questions arise: How can one be a born-again follower of Jesus and still be sick: mentally, emotionally, spiritually or physically? The answer is simple when you include the trichotomy of man: body, soul and spirit. My spirit possesses the Mind of Christ; it is sanctified, saintly, and holy; its seated in heavenly places with Jesus; it is not guilty, washed in the Blood of Jesus; brought to life through Jesus. BUT my soul fights against the things of God; houses unclean things; needs the transforming power of the Spirit and the Word. The mind of my soul needs to come into conformity to the Spirit and Word of God. But not the mind of my spirit.

So what is the solution to this paradox? 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified. To know Jesus and Him crucified is more than knowing the facts of Jesus’ Crucifixion. It is to know the crucified life Jesus was born into and lived every day of His human existence. To know this aspect of Jesus is to seek to live it. In other words to be crucified with Jesus; or to pick up your cross daily and live the crucified life with Him. To embrace the Truths of His Word by putting them into practice and obeying them – all of them. Quite simply if you were to disregard the “Thou Shalt Not’s” and make your focus the “Thou Shalts” you will have plenty of opportunities to die with Jesus, and see that soulish, rebellious mind submit to the Mind of Jesus. The good news? Resurrection awaits each death and you never out give God. You reap what you sow into: soul or spirit. You become more fully alive spiritually to Jesus, Who has lived, and in some respects presently living the crucified life. (He is still long-suffering for us in prayer)