Key Indicators of a Stronghold 

 

You ask what a stronghold is and why you need to know this in the whole picture of dealing with your challenges or illness or problems - great question.   In dealing with these things, how you deal with them will make the difference between resolving your issue(s) or just managing them.  How you think can make a vast difference.  Just read some examples on the LifeRegeneration Home page under the "Food for Thought" tab. 

 

Strongholds can involve:

 

Repetitive Negative Thought Patterns -  the presence of recurring thoughts that contradict Scripture, such as "I am unlovable," "God cannot forgive me," or "I will never change." These are not fleeting thoughts, but strong arguments that feel impossible to dismiss.  When a specific lie consistently dictates your emotional state or self-image, it likely indicates a stronghold. 

​

Persistent Bondage to Sin - Strongholds can often show up as sinful habits or addictions that persist despite sincere desires and attempts to stop. If you find yourself repeatedly falling into the same sin (anger, lust, greed, unforgiveness, or others) and feeling powerless to break free and stop it, this suggests an area where the enemy has gained a foothold.  Believe me, you want to get rid of this before it results in worse "damage."  Don't just push it aside or try to stuff it or cover it with nice actions, because it will jump out again at the worst times to your great detriment.  

​

Emotional Triggers and Overreactions - Disproportionate emotional responses to specific situations can reveal a stronghold.  We often call this, "getting our buttons pushed." Some examples are overwhelming fear, irrational anxiety, intense anger, or deep-seated bitterness that arise automatically in certain situations.  These reactions point to a "high thing" exalting itself against the peace of God. These reactions often stem from past trauma or unhealed wounds that have become defensive structures in your soul, in other words, a stronghold.  

​

Resistance to Truth - A subtle but very important indicator to recognize is a defensive reaction when confronted with specific biblical truths.  What?!  If a particular scripture or sermon makes you feel angry, dismissive, or hopeless rather than convicted and hopeful, it may be attacking a stronghold you are protecting.  Be aware of this and don't just brush it off or throw it aside.  Rather, address it!  You can do this more easily by using the Jubilee Options App and finding tools to help you release this/these strongholds.  

​

​​​​​Speak God's Word

​

One powerful life-changing thing you get to DO is tell Satan off!  However, don't attempt this until you are under the cover of the blood of Jesus - If you are not sure, check out your spiritual health, via the link below, then return to this page to take on the strongholds in your life that are holding you back.  Call me at LifeRegeneration if you need help with this and I will walk you through the Scriptures that will afford you true spiritual and physical health.  When you are a child of God, you have the power to speak and drive Satan out of situations and out of your presence (1st Peter 5:8) 

​

 "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, . . . "

 

​

 

Weapons of Our Warfare

​

Now you know you can resist the enemy, Satan, but you need to understand how to do that.  As an aside, why is this in an app for healing you?  Crazy?  If you want to get to the root/etiology of your challenge, then you will need to understand that how you perceive the problem and what will actually resolve it, versus just manage it, will make all the difference.  Read on.  

​​

Taking down strongholds involves spiritual warfare, which in scripture refers to the battle against evil forces.  Be aware that this involves using divine power rather than physical means.  These references will help you in that "fight," so get your bible out. ​

​​

• 2nd Corinthians 10:4-5 - our weapons are "not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God."  We are commanded to "cast down imaginations;"  In other words, our weapons are spiritual, not human or worldly, relying on God’s power to demolish arguments/debates, entrenched patterns of thought, false philosophies, confusion, fear, opinions, and attitudes (one example being pride) - anything that opposes the knowledge of God. WOW!  Did you get all that?  

​

• Ephesians 6:10-18 - The armor of God includes the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God), shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and belt of truth.  These weapons are used to take every thought captive, obey Christ, and stand against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

​

​Here are some clear steps to take in dealing with strongholds you have: 

​​​

The words of your mouth

Calling on the Holy Spirit

Obeying What God Directs

Just do the next thing - Act on what God instructs you to do.  If you find this hard then back up and ask Him to help you even in this.

 ​​​​

​

LISTEN UP!

​​

Renew Your Mind

Guard Your Heart

Take down Strongholds!

 

When our pain is talking and all we hear are negative thoughts, let’s remember to bring those thoughts under the authority of Truth:

“We take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

“Whatever is true… think on such things,” (Philippians 4:8).

“Set your hearts on things above, set your minds on things above,” (Colossians 3:1-2).

Yes!  That's part of taking down strongholds! 

Is negative input limiting your future? Take inventory of what’s growing in your mind, your spirit, and in your body. You may need to uproot some things. God's will is to do what He promised to help you, but you have to get in agreement with Him. Before you go to the next level, the enemy may very well send negative input to try to hold you back: a seed of doubt, a thought of you can’t do it, a fear of you won’t get well.  Even a doctor's prognosis of, "get your affairs in order because you only have 3 months left."

 

There will be these defining moments. What you do with that input will determine whether you step into your greatness or whether you shrink back in fear. Pass that test! Start refusing negative little tidbits or huge pits. Don’t let what people speak over you determine your future. Don’t let what the expert said cause you to live in doubt. Don’t let your own thoughts talk you out of what God put in your heart. He wouldn’t put you in that situation if you weren’t already equipped, empowered, and anointed - God has given you all you need!  You are strong. You are blessed. You are healthy. You are qualified. You are valuable. You are well-able. You are victorious.  You are loved.  You are safe.  Now guard your mind and keep the negative darts out.

 

​You can clearly see from reading the details above that, "taking down strongholds," involves dealing with the mind/thoughts.  So take just one issue above and deal with it using the, "Add a Mind Shift," steps at the top of this page:

​

​