What are demonic strongholds? My message today is on how to discern and demolish demonic strongholds. I will answer questions like; how real are demons, what are their strategies, and how can you demolish demonic strongholds.
[Luke 11:14-26 KJV]“And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. [15] But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.”
[16] “And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. [17] But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.”
[18] “If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. [19] And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.”
[20] “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. [21] When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: [22] But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.”
[23] “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. [24] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.”
[25] “And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. [26] Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.“
Discerning and demolishing demonic strongholds
One of the major problems of this present generation is that many of us are ignorant of the active world of demons and devils. Many of us think of the world of Satan as some passive realm that will not trouble you as long as you stay in your world and mind your business.
The demonic world is active than that. Our adversary is roaming and roaring like a lion seeking whom he may devour. He is active and scheming and prowling. He is not passive and waiting for you to strike; he is working assiduously to keep you from rising. He working hard to blind you from ever discerning his presence.
- Demons influence the choices, behaviour, and speech of those they possess: Signs that demons are behind your choices; is when you hate the choices you make yet you keep making the same poor choice.
- Demons adversely affect the state of people: The state of people demons possess worsen. (See Luke 11:23-26) When an evil spirit entered into Saul, it began to trouble him. When demons gain access to your life, they adversely affect your state. The woman attacked by the Spirit of infirmity.
- Demons try to entrench themselves and build strongholds and communities once they gain access to your life: It always starts with one thing but you soon learn more and more things (See Luke 11:23-25)
- Demons can discern the presence of a high power; and they react with fear, anger and resentment, phoniness, rage, and accusations (See Mark 5:1-20)
- Demons defy known scientific and technology therapy or solutions.
Strategies of demons
- Demons disguise themselves as angels of light: Demons are masquerades and so are their servants.
- Demons try to mimic your weakness, cracks and holes in your life: When the devil is speaking to you, it will sound more like your own thoughts and desires than of a spirit. Eve saw the fruit and saw it was good for food… When Satan stood against Israel, it was David who felt provoked (See 1 Chronicles 21:1)
- Demons try to infiltrate humanness: Anything that projects humanness above godliness is demonic. The devil spoke through Peter and sounded more like a human being than a spirit.
- Demons are opportunistic; They scheme for cracks or holes by which they can enter into people’s lives. Demons will work through your lust, anxiety, insecurities, etc. When the devil realizes that you are angry, he quickly comes in to work his agenda; that is why “the sun should not go down on your anger.” When you do that you make room for the devil.
- Demons minister questions: When the servant came to the garden he ministered questions and doubt.
- Demons seek to pollute the human race through sex and procreation (See Genesis 6)
How to demolish demonic strongholds
[1 Peter 5:5-11 KJV]“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
[6] “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”.
[8] “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world”.
[10] “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.“
- Submit yourself to elders.
- Be subject one to another.
- Clothe yourself with humility.
- Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God.
- Cast all your cares upon the Lord and be anxious for nothing.
- Be sober and vigilant.
- Think like God. Allow the word of God to shape your perspectives. Peter spoke for the devil because he was thinking like a man.
- Wake up to the fact that demonic operation is real and active.
- Admit that our weapons are mighty to pull down every stronghold. Every demon-possessed person can be delivered and set free.
- Engage the forces of fasting and prayer. Somethings won’t come forth except by fasting and prayer.
- Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.
- Resist the devil steadfastly in the faith.
Stay blessed
