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Subject: Strong Holds Author: Hillbilly [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 13:57:24 09/19/14 Fri 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; As stated in Ephesians 6 verse 12 we don't wrestle with flesh and blood but with spiritual evil and wickedness. This would be against Satan and the forces of evil. We are told how to be victorious by putting on the whole armor of God. In similar fashion here in 1 Corinthians we are told that we don't war after the flesh and our weapons as the armor in Ephesians is spiritual and not material. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;" If we were to look at the definition of the strong holds mentioned we would see they are translated from a word that means fortress. In the defenses position you need a fort to hide behind the walls for protection. This definition however does not fit the passage as it's written. The implication is that we as Christians need to be pulling down some walls that are protecting an enemy of ours. Walls that possibly our enemy is hiding behind and just waiting to come out and ambush us. When I think of "strong holds" in relation to my spiritual warfare I don't think of walls and forts or any such thing. Satan doesn't seem to crouching down and hiding behind walls. He is more of a roaring lion seeking to devour his adversaries (2 Pet. 5:8). As I was meditating on these verses above a picture came to my mind. It was that of Jacob wrestling with the angel. What was he doing? He had hold of the angel and wouldn't let go! I thought; "that is exactly what Satan does." He grabs hold and won't let go. He has a "strong hold" on his prey. Have you ever been trouble by temptations that you knew God was not pleased with and you wanted to put them away from you? Have you just wanted the temptation to "turn loose" and let go of you. When these things happen your close communion with Christ is disrupted isn't it. Look now at verse 5 again: "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" These are the strong holds that we can, through God's might, cast down. These thoughts in our heads (imaginations) that trouble us. Through God these "strong holds" can be cast down. Any thing that we put before God is an idol. It is something we can allow to magnify itself in our esteem over the things of God. This is another strong hold Satan has on us ane he will never willingly let go. Lastly, God says that every thought against God and spiritual things can be brought under captivity so that we honor God in all and show obedience and fidelity to Christ. All of us have the strong holds that Satan grasps us in. None of us has the power to break the hold. The weapons of spiritual warfare that can be made mighty through God are our testimony and our daily walk. Walking the walk and talking the talk in good conscience before God will work every time. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

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[> Subject: shoot! Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:43:24 09/21/14 Sun I typed a message and it disappeared. Will repost when I get home from Michigan on Tuesday. Great message, HB! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: I just re-read this study, HB. Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 11:16:16 09/26/14 Fri It was a good one and gave me inspiration to walk the walk better. 8-) Thank you for this. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]