The Power of God's Word in Demolishing Spiritual Strongholds

Stronghold refers to a spiritual fortress where Satan and his followers hide to protect themselves. These strongholds can exist in our thinking patterns and ideas that govern individuals, churches, communities, and missions. In order to claim victory, these strongholds must be dismantled. The powerful weapons of the word of God and the spirit of God can effectively destroy these strongholds.

On one hand, a stronghold can serve as protection for us against the devil, as when the Lord becomes our stronghold (Psalm 18:2). However, in the context of the mind, a stronghold can also serve as a defense for the devil, where demonic or sinful activity is defended within us by our sympathetic thoughts towards evil.

A demonic stronghold is a type of thinking that elevates itself above the knowledge of God, giving the devil a secure place of influence in an individual's thoughts and life.

Deliverance

This comes when we humble our minds. As Matthew 12:43-45 states, "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

It is important to note that our mind should not be left unoccupied. The demon we are fighting uses our thoughts to protect its access into our lives. We can combat this by dealing with carnal thought systems that act as strongholds for the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Every form of habit of sin in a believer has its roots in carnal, unholy thinking, thereby keeping demonic activities in the area of such life where Satan feeds on sin. The process of dismantling these strongholds begins with repentance (Mark 6:12-13).

How to maintain a healthy mind

It is important to constantly meditate on the word of God, confess God's word loudly, walk in the consciousness of God's presence, be aware of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and walk in the fear of God by saying no to sin. Philippians 4:8 advises, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.”