“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Yesterday, we discussed what a stronghold is. But it’s not enough to simply recognize it. We must acknowledge it, destroy it, and then replace it with the Holy Spirit. Paul gives us a blueprint in 2 Corinthians for how to do this. He’s talking about how the fights that we are having tend to be spiritual more than physical. “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds.” We need to destroy them before they destroy us. That language of “taking captive” is military, battle language. Let’s say you take someone from opposing forces as a prisoner of war. In the ancient world, you would put a spear under their throat, walk them up to your commanding general, and threaten to destroy them if they didn’t tell the truth. So, what Paul is saying is when you hear something, when you see something, when you believe something, you need to put a proverbial spear to its throat. You need to bring it to Jesus Christ, our great King and Judge. You need to make sure that whatever is being said or whatever you are believing is the truth and not a lie. If it’s a lie, you need to slit its throat and tear it down.
Every man needs a stronghold. Every marriage needs a stronghold. Every family needs a stronghold. God would happily set up a stronghold at your house. God would love to be the stronghold for your marriage, your children, your grandchildren, your life. God would love to move into your house and set up a secure base of operations. Then He and those angelic forces that are working with Him will be making plans to bless, help, love and serve everybody in your family. Psalm 37:39 says, “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in times of trouble.”
The past is not the future. You are not your father or mother. There is hope for you. There is a future for you. There is deliverance for you. There is life for you. There is forgiveness for you. There is the Father’s heart for you. You don’t need to be ashamed of where you’ve been. You just need to move on, tear down whatever has been holding you back, surrender, and submit the stronghold to the Lord. Then, invite the Holy Spirit in, take a deep breath, go to bed, wake up tomorrow, and start a brand-new life. You’ll see God start to heal your marriage. He’ll start to heal your children and your grandchildren.
We’re going to end today’s devotional doing what Gideon did. We’re going to tear down the strongholds that have been keeping us in bondage to sin, destructive habits, and disobedience to the Lord. I want you to pray this prayer with me and experience the freedom God has for you in a new way today!
Father, I renounce my sins and the sins of my family. To those unclean spirits who have a stronghold in our family, I say, “The Lord rebuke you in Jesus’ name.” My household belongs to you, Lord, and we will serve you alone. To those unclean spirits, you are commanded to leave our family and never return in Jesus’ name. Holy Spirit, I welcome you to fill me, fill my family, and fill my home. Fill my home as its stronghold. I commit to submit to your leadership as I lead my family. I pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
What is God asking you to do differently starting today?
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