What is a stronghold (Dr Floribert M. Mawit)

DEFINITION:

2 Corinthians 10: 3-5

A “Stronghold” in a spiritual fortress where a power has control. These fortresses exist in the thought-patterns, opinions and ideas that govern individuals, churches, communities and nations.

In the O.T., a stronghold was a fortified dwelling used as a means of protection from the enemy. These were physical structures, usually caves high on a mountainside, and were very difficult to attack.

Obviously, Paul uses the word “stronghold” to define the spiritual fortress wherein Satan and his demons hide and are protected.

These fortresses exist in the thought-patterns and ideas that govern individuals and churches, as well as communities and nations.

Being “born-again” is simply the first stage of God’s plan for my life. Unless I allow the Lord to demolish these strongholds of thoughts and ideas in my life there will be very little change.

A stronghold is a source of defense for the devil, where demonic or sinful activity is actually defended within us by our sympathetic thoughts toward evil.

Paul defines a stronghold as “arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…” A demonic stronghold is any type of thinking that exalts itself above the knowledge of God, thereby giving the devil a secure place of influence in an individual’s thought and emotional life.

This is not demon possession!

Don’t go on the defensive!

Listen to Jesus’ testimony: “l will not talk with you much more, for, the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on me-he has nothing in common with Me, there is nothing in Me that to him, he has no power over Me. (John 14:30) Amplified

SOURCES AND EXAMPLES OF STRONGHOLD

(This is not an exposition of all the strongholds and how they affect people. However, all these have proven to have devastating effects.)

Occult

• Games- Glassy-Glassy, Dungeons & Dragons
• Music – Heavy Metal, Rap, Reggae
• Media – Movies, Computer Games, pornography
• Psychic practices – TM, Automatic Writing, Stars of the Zodiac, Palm Reading, Séances
• Witchcraft- Black Magic, sangomas
• Secret Societies – Freemasons

The World

• New Age – philosophies
• Media – television & newspapers
• Values – Pre-marital sex (Hugh Heffner) sexual disorders

Life Experiences

• Childhood experiences – incest
• Rejection –unforgiveness, bitterness, anorexia
• Fear – depression, unnatural withdrawal, addictions
• Pride – rebellion, stubbornness, self-righteousness, perfectionism
• Curses –words in anger,

Example: Joshua 6: 29. At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho:” At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates”

1Kings 16: 34 In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates et the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by Joshua son of Nun.

Generations
Exodus 20: 5 “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for l, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me…,”

Generational Sins – Alcoholism, sexual disorders psychic power, domination etc.