The Greek word for stronghold is okuroma. It can also be
translated "fortress." The idea is a structure that has been built
to protect something, to keep something captive, or to prevent
someone from entering and taking something away. It is an area in my
life where I am being "held captive." I am prevented from
experiencing freedom in expressing the life of Christ in me, and
God's grace and abundance are prevented from affecting that area of
my life. A "stronghold" is an area of my life where I consistently
have problems and cannot live in victory. I can tell one is
established if a habitual pattern of failure of fruitlessness
exists.
Once a stronghold is established, I provide a "foorhold" for the devil
(Eph. 4:27), a basis of operation for the "strongman" (Matt. 12:29).
I then become vulnerable to demonic oppression (mild or heavy)
through that area of my life. Not dealing with this stronghold can
lead to the building of other strongholds and to demonic oppression
in other areas in my life.
The primary source of strongholds is the world and the first stronghold we need to tear down is pride.
It starts with humility, acknowledging the problem and recognizing
the need for deliverance. Until one is
willing to admit that they need deliverance, they will never be free
from strongholds. We all have strongholds such as unbelief, cold
love, fear, pride, unforgiveness, lust, greed...
The pulling down of strongholds begins with repentance. Repentance
precedes deliverance, and deliverance will naturally lead to healing.
There is a relationship between the mind and the heart.
In Luke 2:25-35 there is the story of Simeon who is described as
"righteous" and "the Holy Spirit was upon him." "Moved by the
Spirit, he went into the temple courts" and saw the baby Jesus, as
was promised to him by the Holy Spirit. Simeon took the baby Jesus
into his arms, praises God, blesses Mary and Joseph, and then says
something very interesting... He prophecies and one of the
prophecies are that through Jesus, "the thoughts of many
hearts will
be revealed." In Revelation God says "...I am he who searches
hearts
and minds..." (Rev. 2:23). God is concerned with both
and acknowledges there is a correlation between our heart and mind.
Often what we allow into our minds gets into our hearts. and this can be
either good or bad. Man looks at the outward appearance, but
the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7)."For the eyes of the
Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are
fully committed to Him..." (2 Chr. 16:9).
Remember when Jesus spoke of the strong man's "armor in which the man
trusted?" This was in reference to demonic possession. Jesus also
said that demons seek a "house" where they may "rest" (Matt.
12:43-44). For Christians, this "armor in which we trust" is the
house of thoughts Paul refers to as "strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:1-4.)
Romans 8:5-8 - "Those who live according to the
sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature
desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their
minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of
sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is
life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does
not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the
sinful nature cannot please God. (Pretty clear, huh?)
TYPES OF STRONGHOLDS These are some examples of strongholds
(on the top) and the related thoughts and
feelings that are often produced by demonic oppression to sustain
them. This is only a partial list. The related areas may be similar
for certain strongholds, so careful and sensitive discernment is
needed to know what the stronghold is.
BITTERNESS
Resentment Hate Unforgiveness Anger Violence
Revenge