Last time we discussed what strongholds are and how they are built as well as the fact that the battle is mostly in the mind. Today, we will look at how to break down these strongholds and build godly strongholds.
Let’s review the definition of a stronghold.
We define strongholds as negative patterns of thought or beliefs burned into our minds in two ways: from prevailing (or long-term) experiences or the intensity of traumatic experiences. These experiences and how we perceive them shape how we think about ourselves and how we see the world. The beliefs about ourselves and the world that develop from these experiences continue to deepen throughout our lives as we face situations/experiences and react/respond to them based on our negative beliefs. If our belief system is not quite right, then our behavior and feelings won’t be quite right either.
We can begin to stop the cycle by taking every thought captive right when we have a thought! Taking thoughts captive stops the enemy from adding bricks to the stronghold that keeps us from the freedom Christ came to give us (Galatians 5:1).
To tear down a stronghold, we need to examine our thought, actions, words, and emotions in light of God’s truth to see any lies that have built strongholds in our lives. This is the first step in tearing them down. Once we see the lie, we replace it with the truth. This process sometimes takes down a stronghold altogether, and other times it takes down one or more bricks in the wall. Some beliefs are held so strongly that it will take time working with God to totally take down the wall. He will never overwhelm us with our sin but lovingly helps us walk more and more free as we journey with Him.
We have developed a tool we call The Six R’s to help with the process of breaking down strongholds in our belief systems.
1. Revelation - Ask the Spirit to reveal the things that you need to repent of.
The Holy Spirit will speak truth and reveal sins you need to repent of or make you aware of any lies you are believing. Sometimes you know when you have sinned, but you want to ask Him to show you because sometimes you are not aware of the sins or lies you believe.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...” (John 16:13). See also John 8:32
Let’s walk through this process with Rejection as the example. He reveals that you fear rejection and that is why you don’t want to get involved in a small group.
2. Repent - Confess the sin.
If or when the Spirit reveals something to you, confess that to the Lord. This is simply agreeing with God that you sinned and telling Him you are sorry because it was sin that made Him endure the cross. Repent literally means a changing of the mind. You stop walking in the direction you were going and do 180 degrees turn and walk back toward God.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) See also 2 Corinthians 7:10.For fear of rejection sample prayer:
Lord, I care very much about what people think of me and worry that they won’t like me or approve of me. I have not believed that you accept me with joy and delight in me. I have not believed that your acceptance is of more value than anyone else’s. I have also hurt others by rejecting them first because I feared they would reject me. I have isolated myself from your body in order to protect my feelings. I have even refused to obey you sometimes for fear of other people’s rejection. Please forgive me, Father.
3. Receive - Receive God’s promised forgiveness.
This is an important and often overlooked part of the process. If you don’t receive it – as you would a gift – this gives the enemy an opportunity to condemn you again for that sin. Receiving also says to your heart that you forgive yourself. Who are you to withhold something from yourself that God has given you freely? But we do this all the time!“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19-20). See also 1 John 1:9.
Receive sample prayer:
Father, thank you for forgiving me as your word says you do. I receive your forgiveness and ask you to fill me with Your Spirit.
4. Renounce - Renounce the lie.
Renounce any lie you have believed that has made you think and act in a sinful way. Declare it is a lie and no longer believe it. “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13). * forsake = renounce or give up. See also 2 Corinthians 4:2.
5. Resist - Resist the enemy.
According to scripture, we have the authority to tell the enemy to leave us and stop telling us lies.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7).
The renouncing and resisting can go together in prayer:Lord, I renounce the lie that I won’t amount to anything if people reject me and that I must reject them before they can hurt me. I renounce that I am not accepted in Christ. I renounce the lie that I need to prove myself to be accepted by others or you. I command any evil trying to deceive or condemn me to flee right now in the name of Jesus.
6. Renew - Renew your mind with God’s word. The final step is important! We replace the lie with the truth from God’s word – renewing our minds.This is the turning and walking back to God! You forgive/release those who have rejected you, renew your heart and mind through the truth of God’s unfailing love for you, and choose to live by these truths and not by your feelings or the enemy’s lies. “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).
The process starts with knowing what God says is true. Seek some scriptures that speak of your acceptance in the Lord and claim these as truth. For rejection: 1 John 3:1, Isaiah 41:9-10, Ephesians 1:4-5, John 16: 27, John 15:9-11
Sample replacement prayer:Father, I choose to live by your truth and not the world’s lies. I believe you have chosen me and adopted me as your child. You will never leave or forsake me. You are my God, my helper. Jesus has loved me as you love Him, and I abide in Your love. I love you back because you have first loved me!
As we walk through this process, we are tearing down lies that we have believed about ourselves, God, or the world and replacing them with truth from scripture. This tears down the stronghold that has kept us bound like prisoners and builds a stronghold in the Lord who is THE stronghold of our lives!
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; who shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
Why not begin today walking in more Freedom! It’s DEMO day!