There are many ways in which strongholds are formed, they give the devil a haven to operate from. Many destinies have been stolen, killed, or destroyed because the captains of those destinies were ignorant of how strongholds are formed. Strongholds are formed through;
1. Hardenness of heart through the deceitfulness of sin:
In Hebrews 3:13, we are warned by the Apostle to beware lest any of us become hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
[Hebrews 3:12-15 KJV] “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation”.
Strongholds are formed when we allow an evil heart to enter into us, and thereby departing from the Lord or backsliding. Then through degeneration, we are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin and fall away from our faith. We must be careful what sort of heart we allow into us. Bitterness, unforgiveness, and pain can cause great havoc. I lift up prayer for all of you that you will not allow an evil heart to thrive you.
2. Demons:
The Bible teaches in luke 11:24-26 that when demons gain access to a man, they open the access for more wicked spirits to enter. If you allow just a little devil to come in, that little devil will open the gates of your life to more wicked spirits.
[Luke 11:24-26 KJV] “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. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 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.”
Many of us play around with little demons like lies, worldliness, anger, and pilfering, and by the time we are aware more destructive devil has gained access to our spirits and they begin to control us.
3. Doctrines, hollow philosophies formed from cultural practices, and traditions of men:
The fourth foundation of strongholds is through doctrines, hollow philosophies, and cultural practices. Colossians 2:8 teaches this clearly.
[Colossians 2:6-9 KJV] “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily”.
Sometimes, after seeing something for a long time you no longer frown upon it. You tend to get used to it and may even be lured to philosophise and make haughty statements out of your naughty behaviours. The Bible tells us to base all our thoughts, knowledge, and conduct on the faith, teachings, and traditions of Christ.
Unhealthy cultural practices and philosophies have hurt many destinies and people. Beware, lest you be spoiled through these hollow philosophies.
4. Hereditary:
The final source of strongholds is genetic or hereditary. There are certain things that you are likely to be drawn to but I wouldn’t be, and it is not because I am better than you but just because of what you are made up of — your genes.
[Psalms 51:1-5 KJV] “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me”.
Many people are battling things from their lineage and bloodlines because they have not allowed the water and the Spirit to give birth to them again. A man must be born of the water and the spirit if he can overcome to the end.
I love you!
Pastor Simpe
