Pulling Down Strongholds
3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Bible KJV http://www.biblegateway.com
God is mighty in pulling down strongholds!
Carnal weapons are not physical violence or psychological manipulation.
Every day Satan and his demons are trying to entice us into his sin-filled world. He will use every chance he can, to lure us in. A stronghold is where Satan will tempt us to sin. Perhaps the stronghold is in how we live our lives; partying, drinking, overindulging in all sorts of ways. Perhaps we steal, gossip, bully someone and the likes. Whatever our sin is, we tend to justify of our actions and gives Satan has a grip on us. The best way of pulling down the strongholds is fight the enemy is through God’s divine power of prayer, good works and especially using God’s Word.
Inside we feel and know what we’re doing is not right. Whatever our downfall is, that’s where the enemy sets his focus on. And believe me, he will come after us in full strength. Quite often we even enjoy our sinful nature and don’t really want to stop. Over the top partying, doing drugs, overindulging in anything, seems to be fun and we delight in many of the sinful ways. Most often, we don’t even believe what we are doing is wrong. Even murderers, rapists, and the likes, find ways to justify what they are doing.
However, in reality, something deep inside of us, says what we are doing is wrong. Sometimes, our “gut” instinct wants us to quit what we are doing, but we can’t seem to stop. The good news is that God’s angels battle for us all the time in the heavenly realm. The Holy Spirit convicts us – giving us the “gut” feeling we have saying stop. When our conscience is talking to us, we need to listen. We need to ask ourselves do I really want to be doing or acting like this?” If truthful to yourself, the answer is most likely “no, I don’t”.
Angels are fighting at pulling down the strongholds placed on us
We need the help the angels who are fighting for us. When we sin and feel convicted, many people perhaps believe they should break their habit, but won’t, don’t or can’t seem to change on their own. God has sent help and we can be of assistance, when we use the defenses of God! The angles fight for us in a place where our earthly weapons cannot help. God has given us a way to assist in the battle. Since we cannot use our human (carnal) artilleries, God has given us special equipment to wear and to use, called the amour of God.
When in difficult situations, we have the habit of trying to fend for ourselves. Because of that we usually end up in a condition/position worse than when we began. However, when covered by the armour of God, we are mighty, strong and able to stand up to the situation. God’s armour works on both what we can see and especially on those that are unseen (the enemy – Satan).
Praising God is the best way to fight when in spiritual warfare. At this point a physical fight is impossible. However, being mighty in God and by using God’s divine power is the way to go. Using God’s words and prayer, is the absolute best way of pulling down the strongholds the enemy has placed on us. Although we walk as human beings, our biggest foes are not humans, but Satan and his spiritual forces.
Be mighty in God using His divine power
Much like the equipment a warrior wore many years ago, there are 7 items. However the Armour of God is very different. Each piece of Gods armour cannot be seen by humans but are clearly seen and felt by Satan, the enemy.
- Belt of truth – holds the words of God. Know and use the words from the Bible against the enemy.
- Breast plate of righteousness – cleanses us. Ask for forgiveness from our sin and be morally righteous through Jesus.
- Gospel of peace – walk covered with God’s peace regardless of situation.
- Shield of faith – knowing, without doubt, that Jesus is the one and only true Son of God and he will shield us.
- Helmet of Salvation – through Jesus, we have authority over the enemy (Satan and his warriors).
- Sword of the Spirit – The Holy Spirit will remind us of God’s words when we need them. This is why it is important to read the Bible and know the Word so the Holy Spirit can help us.
- Prayer – our most effective method of warfare. We need to pray for ourselves, for others, for situations, for health, for finances, for marriages, etc.
Start each day with the Armour of God in place.
That way we will be alert and ready to face the day’s challenges. Every time we feel attacked, we can gain control of our emotions by using the Armour of God. Pulling down the strongholds that have us captive is up to us. We must fight the enemy by using God’s methods.
By having this control, and using the Word of God, his armour, and the name of Jesus, the situation becomes reversed and authority is gained over the enemy.
Do you want to learn more? More information in Ephesians 6:10-20 Here is a prayer for the Armour of God.
My Prayer for 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
My Dear Heavenly Father,
In today’s darkened world, the enemy is working twice as hard to dominate all people and situations. You Lord have a way of pulling down the strongholds! Hallelujah!
Satan is attempting to convince everyone that you Lord, are not worth worshipping. His time of free reign on this earth is quickly drawing to a close. He’s hoping to get all unbelievers and Christians to turn away from you and he desires that all people in the world would see him as king rather than you. As a Christian, it is extremely important that I must be vigilant in watching for Satan’s lies and tricks. I must be ready at all times, dressed in God’s armour.
I realize that just because I am wearing armour, it doesn’t mean that I will never be persecuted or won’t have to endure Satan’s wrath. Sometimes bad things just happen. Also bad things happen because the enemy is working in my life, trying to draw me away from you Lord. In both cases, it’s very important for me to stand strong and firm, protected by my armour, and let you deal with the situation.
It’s important that I give my worries over to you Lord.
I know Father that sometimes, I immediately start to worry when I know I shouldn’t. Because I am your child, through your son, Jesus Christ, and it’s important for me to give these worries over to you.
However, it can be hard to stay in my faith when everything around me looks hopeless, appearing like it will never be rectified. At this point, my faith and strength in you may start to fail and I will resort to my own methods. It is very important that I must resist these impulses to work on my own.
The earthly weapons I may use (worry, stress, anger, helplessness, depression, trying anything and everything, etc.) are useless and futile: whereas your spiritual weapons are mighty and will overcome everything.
Thank you Lord for giving me a way to fight back.
Thank you Father for reminding me again how important it is to put on my armour each and every day. Yes, I know that by wearing it, I am not immune to bad or stressful times and I can’t even be assured that they won’t last long. However, I can be assured that everything happening in my life will be completed in your time and according to your will.
Knowing that you are always in control of every situation, I can rest assured that, with your armour intact, I will be able to give all situations over to you and then go about my day, in peace.
Father, thank you for always having my back and being with me through all the good times and the trials. I am so thankful.
In the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, I pray.
Amen