Rom. 7:21-23 (LB) “It seems to be a fact of life that while I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I want to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there’s something else deep within me that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin inside me. In my mind I want to be God’s servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin.”
The toughest enemy to fight is the one we don’t know about. Satan does this through deception, trying to bring all kinds of negative thoughts to our mind.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV) “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ”
A stronghold is an area where the enemy entrenches himself and takes control. The Bible talks about strongholds in our mind. These are areas of our thinking dominated by the enemy—areas where we are deceived.
How does he do it? He comes against us by attacking our minds with clever thoughts that lead to suspicion, doubt, fear, reasoning, and theories that refute the truth of God’s Word. When these thoughts get rooted in our minds, then they become strongholds that give the enemy control.
Allow God to become your stronghold. Allow God to entrench Himself and take control of your life. Submit to the leadership of Christ.
Psalm 9:9 (NIV) “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
2 Samuel 22:2-3 (NIV) He said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my saviour—from violent people you save me.”
James 4:7-10 (MSG) “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”
James 4:7 “So give yourselves humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”