What Is A Stronghold

WHAT IS A STRONGHOLD?

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the [pulling down of strongholds]" (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

All successful healing must begin by first removing the structures which defends the enemy. In speaking of spiritual warfare, the apostle Paul enlists the word "stronghold" (KJV) to define the spiritual fortresses wherein Satan and his legions hide and are protected.

• These fortresses exist in the thought-patterns and ideas that govern individuals and churches, as well as communities and nations.
• Before victory can be claimed, these strongholds must be pulled down and Satan's armor removed. Then the mighty weapons of the Word and the Spirit can effectively plunder Satan's house.

What is the biblical meaning of this word, "stronghold"?

In the Old Testament, a stronghold was a fortified dwelling used as a means of protection from an enemy. We find that David hid from King Saul in wilderness strongholds at Horesh (1 Sam. 23:14, 19).These were physical structures, usually caves high on a mountainside, and were very difficult to assault. It was with this imagery in mind that the inspired writers of the Bible adapted the word "stronghold" to define powerful, vigorously protected spiritual realities.

• A stronghold can be a source of protection for us from the devil, as is the case when the Lord becomes our stronghold (Ps. 18:2).
• A stronghold can be a source of defense for the devil, where demonic or sinful activity is actually defended within us by our sympathetic thoughts toward evil.

The apostle Paul defines a stronghold as "speculations,
A lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God" (2 Cor. 10:5).




We are now going to look at four major types of bondages and two types of camps that open doors and form demonic strongholds in lives. But first I want to give you a picture of your authority and position in partnering with Jesus in spiritual warfare.
1 John 3:8 (NIV) “He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.”
 Destroy = to break, loose, destroy, melt, dissolve or put off,
Revelation 13:8 (NIV) All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.”{So we know that Jesus came to redeem man kind from sin. He came to be the lamb}
• In Jesus’ first coming His primary objective was to fulfill His ministry as the Lamb of God.
After the resurrection had Jesus defeated sin, and now holds the keys of death and Hades. So upon the point of resurrection, now Jesus starts his ministry as the Lion.
Revelation 1:18 (KJV) I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
This means you are no longer going to hell. This means that hell no longer had dominion over you. Jesus Christ holds the keys firmly in His hand.
Jesus then ascended and sits at the right hand of the father and is operating His ministry; as the lion of the tribe of Judah. He is now in the process of putting all of God’s enemies under our feet.
Ephesians 1:20-23 (KJV) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all
That means Jesus Christ’s name is above every name. His advantage and seating place is above principalities, powers, and rulers. His name and seating is above every other name.
That also means that if we are seated with Christ in the heavenliest, and you are in a place of intimacy and communion with Him, you are going to look down and see things that hell can not overthrow because you have a higher vantage point.
As you spent time in intimacy with the Lord, He is going to give you a perspective above the enemies. You will see the things as the enemy is plotting. God will give you strategies of hell that are working against your life because you are seated with Him in heavenly places.
Mark 12:36 (NIV) David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."
Now you and I are now at Christ feet in executing judgment on his enemies.
Romans 16:20 (NIV) The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
The responsibility is ours we are seated with Jesus to execute judgment on the enemies in our life. He has placed the responsibility, anointing and authority on your life to destroy the work of the enemies of God.
Psalm 149:5-9 (NIV) Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. [There is no joy in your life if you are being defeated] May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, [When we go into that place of high praises in worship we go into spiritual warfare and there is victory for the saints] to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, [To completely restrict the enemy from operating in your life] to carry out the sentence written against them. This honor has all his saints. Praise the LORD. *[Emphasis is put on us]
This is the written judgment, the Word of God that you are commanding to come into being. As you declare the Word of God you are literally proclaiming judgment.
The final Consummation of Jesus’ ministry as a lion will be when all of God’s enemies are judged and cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:10 (NIV) And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
When hell comes into your life to tell you you’re a loser, you’re nobody, God can’t forgive you; you need to just smile and remind him of his future. Demons tremble because they know that this judgment has already been set and it will be carried out by the Lord.
We are all called to battle.
Mark 16:17-18 (NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Note: Jesus said “They Will” Not maybe or should…but WILL.
You are a warrior! God has called you. These ministries are to be a standard operating procedure for every New Testament believer.


• There are different callings and anointing but all believers are called to these ministries.
We are focusing on the fact that…You are a warrior. God has called you to fight. And He has set you in an advantage point with Him in the heavenliest to do what He has commissioned you to do. This is to destroy all forms of evil.
Strongholds
Jesus uses this foundational prophetic scripture spoken from Isaiah 61 to show the four major types of bondages that people become enslaved to.
All strongholds will form out of one of these four types of bondages.
Luke 4:16-21 (NIV) He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, [qualification for ministry] because he has anointed [commissioned] me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus had the spirit without measure or limit.
John 3:34 (NIV) “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.”
Jesus spoke as no other prophet spoke. Old Testament prophets had a measure of the spirit that was given to them.
2 Kings 2:9-10 (NIV) When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not."

Jesus Commissioned Ministry
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
He is saying…I am Hear! This is what I am called to do and this is what I am now releasing!

Two Types of Camps
We can classify demons into two camps.
Angels and demons and we should always be on assignment. When you are in the military on a job you don’t go where you want to go; you go where who ever is in charge of you orders you to go. So it is for spiritual being, they are on assignments. They have literally been given a set of orders.
Tempters
The tempters assignment is to deceive you into believing lies that resist the fullness of God’s word. To the level in which he had lured you into his deception, is the level in which he has established a hold in your life.
You can some times discern how strong that stronghold is by how long a person will hold out in that argument. The strongest strongholds make a person thing that he is their own thought and their own personality.
Tormenters
The tormenters assignment is to systematically torment your state of emotions, physical body, and overall sense of peace. The tormenter doesn’t care about tempting you. He enjoys beating pummeling you beating you up and literally bruising you. That is his focus in life.
Those are the two loose camps and now let’s look at:
Four Major Bondages
1. The Blind
This is the hardest bondage to break because you can’t see it.
• Others can see areas of deception in your life but it is hard for you to embrace.
• Everyone has levels of blindness
 They can be exposed by
 Revelation
 Leaders
Examples of spiritual blindness
• Believing that you won’t reap what you sow Galatians 6:7
• Hearing God’s Word but not doing it. James 1:22
• Believing I am wise in my own eyes. 1 Corinthians 3: 18-19
• Believing bad company will not corrupt you. 1 Corinthians 15:33
• Believing you have no sin in your life. 1 John 1:8
• Heading the teachings of false prophets and false teachers. 2 Peter 2:1-3
• ECT…..
Self defense mechanisms to guard self deception
• Denial and not being able to face truth
• Outburst of wrath
• Shifting blame
• Excuses
• Living in an altered reality
• Intimidation
• Attacks on others
Some demons that may be found in this stronghold

 Deception
 Lying
 Religious
 Darkness
 Self Hatred
 Denial
 Pride
 Contempt
 Fear
 Fantasy
 Arrogance
 Doubt
 Mental Illness
 Superiority
 Blindness
 Vanity
 Distain
 Disgust
 Self Righteousness
 Self Defense
 Confusion
 Ritualism
 Legalism
 Hypocrisy

 Intellectualism


Keys to destroying spiritual blindness in our life
• Ask the Lord to reveal to you where the Lord has blinded you. He will be faithful to show you.
• Eph 1:18
• 2 Cor. 4:4

2. The Broken Hearted / Burst Open (H)
This bondage is created when a wound has been inflicted in a person’s life. These wounds create an open door for demons to begin to come and torment.
In order to destroy these types of strongholds, a believer needs a combination of deliverance and healing appropriated in their life.
These bondages can also be inhabited by demons that have come in through past generations. This is possible through generational curses that are enforced through familiar spirits.
This type of stronghold affects the persons self esteem and self image. Over time it will affect the physical body resulting in sickness and infirmities.
Acts 10:38 (NIV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
After deliverance, there needs to be a drawing down of the healing properties of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
In our soul there are literal wounds. Many times we will guard and cover these wounds with shields.
Shields of pride and denial
• It really didn’t hurt
• I am a survivor (This puts your identity in the wound instead of Christ)
• I don’t need any help

List of wounds that may open the door to this type of bondage:

• Rape
• Molestation
• Divorce
• War
• Death
• Hurtful Words
• Accidents
• Rejection
• Abandonment
• Slavery
• Racism
• Disappointment



Some demons that may be found in this stronghold


• Bitterness
• Unforgiveness
• Hurt

• Pane
• Rage
• Abuse
• Sadness
• Sorrow
• Rejection
• Hatred
• Torture
• Abuse
• Distress
• Morning


• Marred Self Image
• Insecurity
• Trauma

• Fear

Most of the time to maintain deliverance in this area, it will sometimes require revisiting the hurt and broken placed and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring healing and truth to that area.

3. The Prisoner/ Prisoner of war (g) (People that have literally been taken captive)
Demons do not only reside in our soul the also reside in our flesh. They are linked to our fleshly sinful nature. The Bible contains a list of what is called the works of the flesh.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
You see some of these areas that you participate in STOP. Don’t rationalize it. It’s a work of the flesh.

Destroying this stronghold
In order to destroy this stronghold there must be a combination of deliverance and discipleship. There must be a daily dyeing to you old sinful nature.


Galatians 5:24 (NIV) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Demons are attracted to sin.
Example: Pets poop in the back yard. This attacks flies. You wouldn’t go out there and swat each fly. You would remove the poop and the flies would leave.
It is the same way in our lives. As we allow the Lord to remove sin in our lives the demons go because they have nothing to feed on.
Remember what Jesus said. “The devil has come but has found no place in me” There was no feeding ground.
After a deep repentance there must be a willingness to cut all ties to the things that have caused us to fall.
Matthew 18:8-9 (NIV) If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
• Cut the area of sin out of your life
If you are not willing to be a disciple (disciplined) you retain great deliverance. They have to be partnered together.
Some of the demons that reside in this stronghold

• Lust
• Perversion
• Food Addiction
• Envy
• Covertness
• Evil Speaking
• Criticism
• Cruelty
• Fault Finding
• Lust for Power
• Witchcraft
• Bitterness
• Unbelief
• Lust for Knowledge
• Hatred
• ECT…


4. The Oppressed /to crush, to bruise
This stronghold originates through an open door. We have to close the doors. The demons will come and try to reestablish a door that has been closed.
In the oppressed the enemy gains legal rights to attack. He may use multiple entry points such as;
• Depression
• Sin
• Generational Curses
• Soul Ties
• Word Curses
This strongman is a tormenter. His goal is to literally crush the person. He loves watching people suffer.
Some of the demons that inhabit this stronghold

• Infirmity
• Sickness
• Disease
• Infection
• Pain
• Epilepsy
• Nausea
• Crippling
• Asthma
• Fear
• Self Mutilation
• Self Rejection
• Low Self Esteem
• False Burden
• Schizophrenia
• Rejection
• Guilt
• Shame
• Condemnation
• Self Hatred
• Forgetfulness
• Insanity






All strongholds originate from these four sources. However, these strongholds can be intertwined.

Remember that you can’t get free in one day. The goal is not just to get demons out it is to keep them out. There is a time and a season for all things. Trying to figure it out all at one is religion and false burden.



There are two walls that guard strongholds
Pride and Rebellion
• These caused Lucifer to fall. His heart was lifted up because of his beauty and then he rebelled against heaven.
• Any time you have pride in your heart...rebellion will come right after.

Define: Rebellion is active defiance and opposition to authority.
1 Samuel 15:23 (NIV) For rebellion is like the sin of divination, [witchcraft] and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
Hebrew 3: 7,8 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,


Established lines of authority
• God - Daniel 9:5,9
• Parents – Ephesians 6:1-3
• Spouse – 1 Peter 3:1-7 Ephesians 5:21
• Church Leaders – Hebrew 13:17
• Local state and federal authorities – Romans 13;1-7 1 Peter 2;13-17
• Employer – 1 Peter 2:10 -23

Pride
Defined: Pride is a conceded sense of one’s superiority.
When we look at how the Bible uses the word pride we see that pride is substituting our own authority, our plan, our greatness, our human goodness in place of God's. The proud person looks at himself differently than God looks at him.
• Pride is mental attitude sin. (Prov 6.16-19)
• As one of the seven worst sins (Prov 8.13; 30.13; Ps 131.1; Mark 7.20- 23; 1 Tim 3.6).
• Pride is a part of ungodliness (2 Tim 3.2)
• Pride is the opposite of humility (Prov 11.2; 29.23; Dan 4.37; James 4.6; 1 Pet 5.5-6)
Thought process of pride
• Believing you can be successful by your own strengths and recourses.
• Believing your ideas or opinions are usually or often than others.
• Finding it difficult to admit being wrong or taking responsibility.
• Not humbling or submitting before God or those in authority.
• Seeking recognition, even at the expense of others.
• Being unteachable
• Believing...I know it all...therefore I am.



Formula to destroy pride
• Focus on God’s holiness Isaiah 6:1-8 9 (Isaiah in the presents of the Lord)
• Focus on God’s righteousness Philippians 3: 4-9 (Paul sees himself as rubbish)
• After you focus on God’s holiness and righteousness then compare them to your simpleness. Jeremiah 17:9
• God is perfect in thought, Word and deed!
The result to this equation is that WE NEED GRACE!


Practice ways to live in humility
• Put on humility Colossians 3: 12
• Be clothed in Him 1 Peter 5:5
• Walk in humility Ephesians 4:12
• Avoid false humility Colossians 2:18-23 James 4: 13-16 (doing something to appear to be humble)
What does this look like?
You become so focused on Him and His people that you just forget about YOU!
You die to self!