“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Many of us know that when a habit and a stronghold are formed, we lose our freedom. But do we really know what a stronghold is? By definition, a stronghold can be either good or bad. In Biblical reference, David and his mighty men lived in the stronghold of caves at En Gedi when Saul was pursuing them (1 Samuel 23:29). It was a safe, hidden, and difficult place to be breached by enemies. When we talk about strongholds at Infusion Ministries, we are generally talking about a difficult-to-breach habit that holds us in slavery to its bad behaviors that cause suffering. These strongholds need to be broken down permanently.
First, a temptation comes as a simple thought that our needs can be met outside of God, by ourselves (the flesh), the world, or the devil. It’s a lie. We need what God knows is best for us. We make a choice that determines our path. It’s that simple. And if we take the bait, choosing not to let God guide us, we can be sure that rounds two and three will follow. Suddenly, that hook is firmly attached to our bad choices, and a destructive habit has been formed. The more we reinforce bad choices, the more a stronghold builds up to use our destructive behaviors to keep us in this trap until we are utterly destroyed.
Cigarette or drug addiction, overeating, alcoholism, rage, envy, gossip, sexual sins, and joblessness, like other strongholds, all started with a temptation and a choice, a temptation that is common to all. Same old tricks and nothing new, but the temptation may be wrapped in a shinier package that seems custom-designed to meet our needs. It is actually designed as a permanent entrapment.
However, we can side-step that snare with spiritual awareness. Sift those thoughts with spiritual insights you gain by staying in fellowship with the Lord in consistent prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal things you need to repent of. He will guide you in confessing sin. Receive God’s promised forgiveness and renounce the lies of the temptation. Resist the enemy by submitting to God and following His way. Renew your mind by studying and applying scripture’s instructions so that you may avoid future temptations.
Remember this when temptation comes. Since “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world,” (1 John 4:4 NKJV) and “if God is for us, then who can be against us?”(Romans 8:31 NKJV). Our God is mighty, and He desires freedom for us in all ways. Let’s accept His help in breaking those strongholds down!
Breaking Down Strongholds - The 6 R's
REVELATION – Ask the Spirit to reveal the things that you need to repent of.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...” (John 16:13 ESV)
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 ESV)
REPENT – Confess the sin.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV)
“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV)
RECEIVE – Receive God’s promised forgiveness.
“Repent, therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send, the Christ, appointed for you, Jesus...” (Acts 3:19-20 ESV)
RENOUNCE – Renounce the lie.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (Proverbs 28:13 ESV)
“But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth, we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:2 ESV)
RESIST – Resist the enemy.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)
RENEW – Renew your mind with God’s word.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV)
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 ESV)
“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” (Psalm 119:160 ESV)
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:15-16 ESV)
[As adapted from The Bondage Breaker and Stomping Out The Darkness by Dr. Neil Anderson and Dr. Dave Park.]