Read: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:27
Neither give place to the devil.
Strongholds are areas of our life where we allow Satan to have a place. They can take many different forms. It could be wrong thinking because we have believed lies. Those lies may have come through a parent who told you were no good or maybe the voice in your own head that tells you God can’t love you. Or possibly you have been taught false teaching about God, the Bible, or salvation. You have to cast down these imaginations and bring them into captivity through the “renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2).
Other strongholds are besetting sins (Hebrews 12:1-2) that we have allowed to continue in our lives believing we can never get victory over them. Satan uses these sins to defeat us and keep us from victory, believing we can never change.
Some strongholds are bad habits that we have developed in our lives, like procrastination, being late all the time, not planning ahead, and not being polite or respectful of others. These all seem like harmless habits but they become strongholds that Satan can use to defeat us.
Don’t give Satan a place (topography) in your life. Change your thinking. Declare all-out war on those besetting sins. Stop those bad habits and replace them with new good habits. Build your own good and godly strongholds to defend against the devil’s attacks. Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
Meditation for the Day: Ask God to show you the strongholds that Satan has in your life.
Assignment: Make a list of wrong thinking, bad habits, and sins that you need God to help you to tear down and remove from your life. In what ways can you change your thinking, develop better habits or get victory over your besetting sins.
For Fun: Write out each of the things from the assignment list on separate pieces of paper. Crumple them up and cast them into the garbage one by one. As you cast each one out, remind yourself that you don’t need to let those things control you anymore.