Strongholds
Ephesians 4:26 says, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger." Here's why. It "gives the devil a foothold." The word "foothold" can be translated "license." In a sense, you give the enemy a measure of authority in your life. You lose some of your liberty.
The word "foothold" comes from the Greek work topos which is where we get our word "topography." It can also refer to a "jurisdiction." When you don't forgive someone you give the devil jurisdiction in your life! What you end up with is a "spiritual stronghold." you become imprisoned by your unforgiveness. It traps you.
The Enemy has three primary roles: tempter, accuser, and deceiver.
II Corinthians 10:3-5 says, "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 destruction of strongholds. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
Strongholds are mental. Ed Silvoso says, "A spiritual stronghold is a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable, situations that we know are contrary to the will of God."
It is a false perception or false fear or false limitation. We have to decide between "the knowledge of God" and "human speculation." When we err on the side of human speculation a stronghold is created--there is a gap between the revealed with of God and our perception of reality.
I think Moses is a prime example. He was a gifted orator. Scripture testifies in Acts 7:22, "Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech." But Moses said, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
The way we get rid of strongholds by removing the footholds in our life. We don't give the enemy any room to manuver in our lives. We become "off limits" to the enemy. We live in submission to God's authority. We resist the devil. And he flees from us!
The word "foothold" comes from the Greek work topos which is where we get our word "topography." It can also refer to a "jurisdiction." When you don't forgive someone you give the devil jurisdiction in your life! What you end up with is a "spiritual stronghold." you become imprisoned by your unforgiveness. It traps you.
The Enemy has three primary roles: tempter, accuser, and deceiver.
II Corinthians 10:3-5 says, "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 destruction of strongholds. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
Strongholds are mental. Ed Silvoso says, "A spiritual stronghold is a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable, situations that we know are contrary to the will of God."
It is a false perception or false fear or false limitation. We have to decide between "the knowledge of God" and "human speculation." When we err on the side of human speculation a stronghold is created--there is a gap between the revealed with of God and our perception of reality.
I think Moses is a prime example. He was a gifted orator. Scripture testifies in Acts 7:22, "Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech." But Moses said, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
The way we get rid of strongholds by removing the footholds in our life. We don't give the enemy any room to manuver in our lives. We become "off limits" to the enemy. We live in submission to God's authority. We resist the devil. And he flees from us!
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