Exposing the cultural strongholds of salvation.

[JLB]

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 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. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

• For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds

The stronghold Paul is referring to is spiritual in nature; not fleshly or carnal and requires weapons that are not carnal or fleshly, much like his description of the armor of God that we as Christians are to wear.

The Holy Spirit through Paul makes this clear…

• For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God

Paul plainly describes a warfare that is waged, not with manmade weapons by weapons that are mighty in God, for the express purpose of pulling down strongholds.


A stronghold is a fortified position of refuge that are designed to withstand attacks during a battle.

What is this stronghold “protecting” or guarding?
Who constructed this stronghold?
Where is this stronghold built?
What is the goal of this stronghold?


Below is a screen shot from the Strong’s.




I hope this can be a fruitful discussing that will bring awareness to this community.

 

[for_his_glory]

If we are walking in the Spirit then we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Stay in obedience to God's will and in all things give thanksgiving. Praise Him in the good times and praise Him in the bad times that need to be strengthening our faith in Christ Jesus as we trust Him in all things.

 

[JLB]

Where is this stronghold built?

Let’s start with this question.

A stronghold is a fortified position constructed in a persons mind that is designed to resist or exalt itself against the knowledge of God.

It’s an negative or distorted mindset that is constructed in the mind, by our culture (the world) or family upbringing, and in todays culture can be brought about by media, music, television, movies that program our mind to think a certain way… a way that is against the knowledge of God.

A stronghold can also be built into a persons mind in Church, if the person has sat under false teaching.

Organizations such as The Watchtower or the LDS are considered cults, because their members seem to be brainwashed into believing “their churches” brand of theology.

These people have a stronghold that is fortified to keep the truth of scripture out of a persons mind so that they can not receive the knowledge of the truth; so their mind can not be renewed.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2



JLB

 

[JLB]

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Matthew 3:7-9

• do not think to say to yourselves

This is the principle of meditation which is thinking within ourselves. God has instructed us to meditate on His word day and night. For whatsoever a man thinks in his heart so is he.

The LORD desires for us to have our minds renewed to His wisdom and knowledge and understanding so that we walk in His ways and speak the truth.

This all starts in the mind. The battle is for the hearts and minds of men; mankind.

Consider this principle.

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

This is a powerful principle.

God desires for parents to mold a child’s thinking and behavior unto godliness when they are young and impressionable so that the godly habits of behavior they learned when they were young will stay with them throughout their life.

Satan also understands this powerful principle and seeks to gain a foothold in a child’s life as soon as possible. He desires to “train up” children to be useful members in his army when they come of age; to think and act the way he desires them to act.

IOW’s Behavior Modification begins in childhood and continues throughout the life of a person.

Back to the Scribes and Pharisee’s -

• and do not think to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father.’

What was John the Baptist referring to?

The cultural stronghold that John the Baptist, Jesus and Paul constantly dealt within the Jewish people especially the “teachers” (Scribes and Pharisee’s) was that because a person was the natural offspring of Abraham, they were automatically chosen to be sons of God.

That they were automatically “blessed”, which first and foremost refers to eternal life, physical wealth, protection from their enemies, as well as physical health. This is what the Abrahamic Covenant provided from Abraham’s descendants, so the Jews were taught from generation to generation that they were chosen by God for salvation and blessing, while the Gentiles were cursed.

In stark contrast to this thinking, Jesus taught Nicodemus that a person must be born again, in order to perceive, know, understand and experience the kingdom of God.

This of course was a radical idea to the Jewish mind, because they believed they were already blessed; they were already children of God.

When Jesus and John the Baptist called the people of Israel to repent, it caused quite a stir because they believed they already were they people of God, chosen for salvation and blessing because they were the natural offspring of Abraham.


A stronghold is a fortified belief system constructed in the mind to resist the truth of the knowledge of God.

 

[JLB]

What is the goal of this stronghold?

So far we see that a stronghold is a fortified position constructed to protect something or someone.

• pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity

The place of the stronghold is in the mind because it’s associated with thoughts, arguments and the knowledge (truth) of God; or from God.

A stronghold is designed to exalt itself against the knowledge from God; which is the truth.

The goal of a stronghold is to keep your mind from knowing, understanding and therefore being renewed by the truth; by the knowledge from God.

The knowledge from God about who you are in Christ and how He wants you live and function as a child of God in His kingdom.

The knowledge from God about His will for your life and family.

The knowledge from God about His will, purpose and destiny He has for you and your children.

Why is this important?

Because as our mind’s are renewed we become transformed into the image of God; the image of God’s Son Jesus Christ, to walk as He walked, and do the works that He did.

To prove what is God’s will for your life individually and what God’s will is for mankind, that we may integrate our lives into His plan and purpose; generally and specifically.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

We will never be able to prove what God’s will is for our lives while our mind has a counterfeit belief system distorting the reality of the truth of God’s word.

IOW’s we will continue to believe the lie, and never come to the knowledge of the truth.


Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4


The goal of a stronghold is to keep us from the knowledge of the truth. To keep us in bondage to the deception of a false reality, so that our minds would not be renewed, and we would not be transformed into the image of Christ, and thereby walking as He walked.

Walking as He walked means doing the works He did.


For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8