Loosening The Grip of Strongholds

 

2 Corinthians 10:4  The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds.

 

The Definition of a Stronghold can be viewed positively or negatively.  While the formal definition is:  “a place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld.”  When the word stronghold is interpreted in a negative sense it depicts a prevailing problem or habit that has been strongly guarded or defended in your life—in a defensive or negative way.   So when speaking of a negative stronghold in my life I begin to address those things that have become a leech not a blessing.  What are some of these leeches—obsessive worry, crippling distrust, judge-mentalism, perfectionism, alcoholism, fearfulness, self condemnation. 

 

What is that one prevailing weakness, or bad habit, or rotten attitude?  Where does darkness have a stronghold within you?  It’s a fitting word “stronghold”—referencing a fortress, a citadel, thick walls, tall gates.  It’s a good word for often we create impenetrable walls around our flaws—we embrace them—walk in them—protect and fortify them.  In 2 Samuel 5:9, we read, “Nevertheless, David took the stronghold and called it the city of David.”  (English Standard Version).    The city had become old.  The walls were difficult.  The voices were discouraging—but Nevertheless, David took the stronghold.  In other words David overcame the stronghold—and began to rebuild it in all its future glory.

 

I don’t know about you but I would love for God to write a nevertheless over my life story.  Nevertheless God used him more in his latter years than in his youth.  Think of all the ways it could be written.  He didn’t read the Bible until retirement age, nevertheless he came to a deep and abiding faith.  All the mattered to her was her career, nevertheless since she has been born of the spirit she’s beginning to serve a higher purpose.  For years an alcoholic, nevertheless he is now living a sober life.  He never thought about College, nevertheless he is now mastering a trade.  She was always considered a narcissist, nevertheless she is now realizing a more selfless life. 

 

We all need “nevertheless” chapters in our life.  And it seems God creates plenty of them to go around.  Strongholds get conquered through His power at work in us.  2 Corinthians 10:4  “The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds.”

 

Through God’s power we can overcome the prevailing weaknesses of our lives—not with the toothpick of human effort—but rather with the cannons of His power.  What he did for the saints of old he can do for us.    Psalm 50:15  Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and  you shall glorify Me.