John 10:10 (KJV)
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
1) What Scripture Means by “Strongholds”
In 2 Corinthians 10:4–5, Paul writes:
(KJV) “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting 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.”
The Greek word for “stronghold” is ochyrōma—a fortress or citadel. Paul also names the masonry inside that fortress:
• Imaginations (logismoi): entrenched reasonings and narratives;
• High thing (hypsōma): proud elevations, self-exalting ideas;
• Thoughts (noēmata): mind-schemes that must be taken captive (aichmalōtizō).
Strongholds are therefore fortified systems of thought and desire—guarded by pride, ego, wrong attitudes, and demonic operations—that resist God’s truth and repel correction. They are not flimsy chains; they are defended castles.
2) How Strongholds Are Built (Brick by Brick)
Strongholds rarely appear overnight; they accumulate. Scripture shows the key “bricks”:
a) Taking Offences
Nursed offences become walls in the soul and footholds for the enemy.
• Matthew 18:7 (KJV): “Woe unto the world because of offences!”
• Hebrews 12:15 (KJV): “…lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”
b) Unforgiveness
Unforgiveness cements bitterness and gives Satan room to operate.
• Mark 11:25 (KJV): “And when ye stand praying, forgive…”
• Ephesians 4:26–27 (KJV): “…let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”
c) Refusal of Correction
Despising reproof strengthens deception and pride.
• Proverbs 15:32 (KJV): “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul…”
• 2 Timothy 2:24–26 (KJV): correction leads to repentance and escape from “the snare of the devil.”
d) Giving More Heed to the Flesh than the Spirit
Carnal-mindedness installs hostile governance over the mind.
• Romans 8:5–6 (KJV): “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
• Galatians 5:16–17 (KJV): flesh and Spirit are at war.
e) Pride and Ego
Pride raises the “high things” that resist God’s word.
• James 4:6–7 (KJV): “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
f) Demonic Reinforcement
Once the wrong mindset is in place, demonic spirits fortify it with lies and counterfeit “light.”
• 2 Corinthians 11:14 (KJV): “…Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
• 2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV): “the god of this world hath blinded the minds…”
3) How Strongholds Operate (The Strategy of the Fortress)
1. False Assurance While Life is Being Drained
Strongholds numb—people assume they are okay while joy, purpose, relationships, and destiny are quietly stolen.
• Proverbs 14:12 (KJV): “There is a way which seemeth right… but the end… death.”
2. Inversion of Loyalties (Friend/Enemy Swap)
Strongholds invert discernment: the enemy appears as a friend; a true friend is misjudged as the enemy.
• Samson & Delilah—Judges 16: Delilah felt safe; she was the destroyer.
• Ahab to Elijah—1 Kings 18:17 (KJV): “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” (He mislabels God’s prophet as the problem.)
• Paul to Galatians—Galatians 4:16 (KJV): “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”
3. Isolation from God-Sent Helpers
The fortress cuts people off from the very relationships ordained for their good—pastors, mentors, spouses, brethren.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (KJV): “Woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
• Hebrews 3:12–13 (KJV): exhort one another daily to prevent hardening by sin’s deceitfulness.
4. Counterfeit “Light”
The devil’s lies borrow religious language and emotional logic, making darkness feel like enlightenment.
• Isaiah 5:20 (KJV): “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil…”
• Matthew 16:23 (KJV): Jesus rebukes a satanic suggestion that felt compassionate to Peter.
4) Recognizing a Stronghold (Diagnostics)
Ask the Spirit and test by Scripture:
• Do I react to correction as if it were an attack? (Prov 15:32; 2 Tim 2:25)
• Do I nurse offences and rehearse wrongs? (Heb 12:15; Eph 4:26–27)
• Do I distrust those who consistently lead me to Christ, while trusting what indulges the flesh? (Rom 8:5–8; Gal 5:16)
• Do I avoid the Word, prayer, and fellowship that once fed me? (Heb 3:12–13; Col 3:16)
If these patterns persist, a fortress may be governing your inner life.
5) God’s Way to Demolish Strongholds
John 8:31–32 (KJV)
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
A. Repentance and Humility
Pride built the walls; humility opens the gates. Repent specifically for the bricks: offence, unforgiveness, resisting correction, indulging the flesh.
• James 4:6–10; Psalm 51.
B. Submit to God, Resist the Devil
Order matters: submit first, then resist. Grace flows to the humble.
• James 4:6–7.
C. Saturate the Mind with Scripture
Replace logismoi (arguments) with the Word.
• Hebrews 4:12 (KJV): God’s Word discerns thoughts and intents.
• Colossians 3:1–3,16 (KJV): set your affection above; let the Word dwell richly.
D. Practice Immediate Forgiveness
Tear up the roots of bitterness; close the legal door.
• Mark 11:25; Matthew 18:21–35; Ephesians 4:26–27.
E. Receive Correction from God-Ordained Voices
The fortress falls faster when you embrace truth from those God has set over you.
• 2 Timothy 2:24–26; Proverbs 12:1; 19:20.
F. Pray, Fast, and Engage in Deliverance
Some structures are stubborn; pair the Word with prayer and fasting.
• Matthew 17:21 (NKJV/footnotes) principle; Ephesians 6:10–18: put on the whole armour of God.
• Revelation 12:11 (KJV): “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…”
G. Stay in Life-Giving Fellowship
God uses the Body to keep hearts soft and aligned. Isolation strengthens the citadel; community weakens it.
• Hebrews 10:24–25; 3:12–13.
H. Make the Lord Your Only Stronghold
Trade counterfeit fortresses for God Himself.
• Proverbs 18:10 (KJV): “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
• Psalm 18:2 (KJV): “The LORD is my rock… my fortress.”
6) Worked Examples (Scriptural Case Studies)
• Saul’s Jealousy (1 Samuel 18–19): offence + envy + fear → paranoid fortress; treats David (a covenant helper) as enemy.
• Herodias (Mark 6:17–28): entrenched offence at truth → murderous resolve; truth-bearer (John) miscast as enemy.
• Galatian Suspicion (Galatians 4:16): deception inverts loyalties—Paul, their helper, is viewed as adversary.
These are not “bad moods”; they are fortified systems that steal, kill, and destroy by isolating you from truth and re-labelling your allies as threats.
7) A Pastoral Pathway (Practical Steps This Week)
1. Name the bricks (offence, unforgiveness, refusal of correction, carnal indulgence, pride).
2. Repent specifically and forgive by name.
3. Submit to God and to the shepherds He’s placed in your life; seek counsel where you’ve resisted it.
4. Renew your mind daily (read/meditate/memorize).
5. Fast and pray for clarity; renounce lies aloud; apply the blood of Jesus.
6. Re-engage fellowship: don’t fight the battle alone.
7. Guard your gates (what you watch, hear, and rehearse) and walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16).
Closing Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I renounce every lie that has built fortresses in my soul. I repent of offence, unforgiveness, pride, resisting correction, and minding the flesh. By the blood of Jesus, I cancel every legal ground of the enemy. I submit to You; I resist the devil, and he flees. Let Your Word dismantle every imagination and high thing. Reconnect me to the helpers You have sent and give me discernment so I will never call an enemy “friend” or a true friend “enemy.” Be my fortress and my only stronghold. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Message Bearer, Cornelius Bella
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