I Will Conquer Pt. 1 You Can’t Have Me This Time
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
I. Introduction
Satan has been so intentional at keeping us from God’s best. Year after year trying to get an anchor in our lives. He continually works to create strongholds.
2 Samuel 22:1-2 Then David spoke to the LORD the words of this song, on the day when the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
On the day when the Lord delivered, David said the Lord is my rock
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Something to Think About: What men call salvation is simply the first phase of our lives in character and power to the image of Jesus Christ. If we fail to see ourselves as such we will allow too many areas within us to remain unchanged. Pulling down Strongholds is the demolition and removal of all these old ways of thinking so that the actual presence of Jesus Christ can be manifested through us.
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II. WHAT ARE STRONGHOLDS?
First of all in the OT fortified strongholds were dwellings used to protect from the enemy. They were a source of protection for men from the devil. Strongholds spiritually are the source of defense for the devil’s influence that aids and corrupts the thoughts in our minds that go contrary to the word of God.
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1 Samuel 23:14,19 And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand….Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
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Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?
Imaginations are speculations of lofty things that exalt themselves above the knowledge of God. They give satan a secure place to operate his schemes in your life. Who controls your thought life?
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2 Corinthians 10:5 …casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…
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These thoughts are constantly arguing against God’s word. Bring every thought into captivity. Think about all the thoughts imaginable. Think about the images in your head ex…funeral in your mind built by fear. The image in our head is telling a story to us that affects our relationships with people and God. A mindset impregnated with hopelessness that we know is contrary to the word of God.
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
When we speak of Strongholds we are not speaking of random thoughts or occasional sins, we are talking about areas in our life that we are in bondage to and are having a hard time breaking loose from. Ex.. I can’t get it out of my head. I can’t imagine living beyond this that Ive experienced.
III. HOW STRONGHOLDS TAKE ROOT
1. Strongholds Come From Worldly Influence.
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1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, & the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
The enemy, the prince of this world operates in the areas of uncrucified thoughts, and ungodly attitudes that have ruled your life even as a child. Things that were said to you that were contrary to the word of God have affected you and your self-esteem affects how you view yourself. The enemy wants to sway us away from anything that God has for us and give us misinformation concerning our destiny. God wants our minds to be renewed
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Proverbs 23:7…for as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
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My mind controls my members my members control my methods
Isaiah 55:7-8 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways…”
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When we forsake our way and surrender our minds, we can surrender our thoughts and God doesn’t look at our disability he looks at our possibilities. Let God craft and shape your thoughts.
IV. COMMON STRONGHOLDS
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Fear of rejection
Fear
Resentment
Bitterness
Unforgiveness
Anxiety keeps one off balance
Anxiety
Unbelief
Depression
Apathy
Lukewarmness keeps you in a place of compromise
Sinful thoughts
Lust
Pride
Addictions take up time
Greed
Drugs
Alcohol
Pornography
Mental experiences like low self-esteem, trauma, and grief can be a stronghold when not properly managed. The anger you project, perfectionism you try to perform, procrastination or habitual delay you always resort to, and financial mishandling are all potential strongholds. One of Satan’s greatest weapons is The Imposter syndrome- Your not worthy to be at the table, and Shame can be a stronghold. Shame can be defined as living through the lens of how are they looking at me, insecurities, and self-consciousness that prevent us from being us.
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V. FAITH PRINCIPLES FOR PULLING DOWN STRONGHOLDS
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 gives us two important things that help us to tear down strongholds. The first one is bringing our thoughts into conformity with Christ’s and the second one is obedience to His Word.
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a. Bring thoughts into conformity- mind you will submit
b. Obedience to God’s word
2 Corinthians10:4-5…the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..
Casting down the debate
1. We Bring Our Thoughts Into Captivity To Christ’s.
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Lord I’m allowing your word to elevate my thoughts daily
Romans 3:4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man is a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged.”
2. Obedience Brings Us Into the Stronghold Of Christ’s Likeness.
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Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
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Obey what his word says. What do I want in this season? Total Submission. Lord let me have your mind so I can do what you want me to do.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
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The devil won’t flee from an unsubmitted life.
3. Building A Stronghold Of Christlikeness Involves A Struggle.
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1 Peter 5:9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.