What are strongholds? Do they exist? Can they be pulled down?
Strongholds are more like predisposing factors and unlying conditions in epidemiology. They are fortresses and favourable conditions that empower the enemy to wreak havoc. These are the factors and variables that make you susceptible to demonic and destructive satanic manipulations.
The Bible teaches us that although we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. Indeed, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.
[2 Corinthians 10:3-4 KJV] “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
I want to talk about just a few of the strongholds that makes us susceptible to demonic manifestations. We want to understand this subject from a biblical or scriptural viewpoint.
I will be discussing the following five kinds of strongholds:
- Envying and malice
- Coveteousness and greed
- Un-forgiveness, anger, and quarrels
- Bitterness and offense
- The pride of life
1. Envying and malice:
Envy and malice is the main thing that made Cain susceptible to the devils attack on his destiny. Cain would never have killed his brother Abel if he had celebrated what God had done Abel’s life.
Sin was crouching at his door but he could not master it as he was advised, all because he was envious of his brother’s breakthrough and he became malicious.
Genesis 4:5-8 KJV“But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”
“And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him”
“And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”
The Bible still warns us of living in envy and malice.
[Titus 3:3 KJV] ‘For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.“
2. Coveteousness and greed:
The main trap that took Ananias and Saphira to the grave was covetousness and greed. The love of money is the root of all evil; and in fact, covetousness is as the sin of idolatry. Contentment is a great key to overcoming the devil’s schemes.
3. Un-forgiveness:
Un-forgiveness, anger, and quarrels are the main trap that hurt Absalom. That is why he killed his brother Ammon who raped Tamar. Until you learn to be forgiving; anger, bitterness, offenses, and quarrels will make you do the unthinkable.
Offence turned Esau into a fornicator, and he stooped so low into profanity. He got so offended that his brother will ask for his birthright before giving him a plate of pottage (See Hebrews 12:15)
Un-forgiveness defiles; it poisons your soul and makes you toxic. Let us learn to forgive and dwell with each other in peace before we end up doing the unthinkable.
Many women are on the streets prostituting themselves because they could not forgive a man they love. Many women ended up marrying the wrong man because they could not forgive the man they love.
Listen! Receive the grace to forgive and let us dwell in love (See Ephesians 4:26-27; Colossians 3:13)
If we continue to bear grudge and quarrel; we will destroy ourselves. The devil won’t have to lift a finger but we will be destroyed. (Galatians 5:15)
I pray that a wife who is reading this message would forgive her husband and restore benevolence to him. And a husband would forgive his wife. Please! Forgive me.
4. The pride of life:
This is the next main stronghold of devils. The devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and showed Him the kingdom and the glories of the world. Many have been trapped and many more are getting trapped on social media. They are trapped because they see the vague and vainglory of the world.
We feed on the illusion of being a celebrity and many are trapped in lewdness.
Oh! What if I owned that car? That house? That fame? Well, I can also strip naked; I can also sleep around; I can also dance; I can also do this or that.
I want that car! I want that man! I want that iPhone! We are just trapped in the craze of looking for fame, approval, and money.
I pray that none of us shall be trapped. I pray that those who are trapped will be liberated! I pray that you will be liberated. Lift your voice and pull down all these strongholds!
Stay blessed, I love you.
