Shattering your strongholds pt 1

Introduction:
• All believers have equal opportunities to receive whatever the bible promises.
• The difference is how much capacity/room do we have to receive?
2 Corinthians 10:3-5"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."

Everyone has Strongholds(From material by Bruce Wilkinson)

Characteristics of Strongholds:
1. The stronghold exists in the person's MIND (the stronghold is a lie)
2. The stronghold is deceitfully hidden from the person's awareness.
3. The stronghold has existed for considerable time.
4. The stronghold has tempted the person to sin repeatedly.
5. The stronghold repeatedly overpowers the person, creating hopelessness.
6. The stronghold has many intellectual and emotional defenses.
7. The stronghold is actively and aggressively opposed to God and His truth.
Romans 6:16 "Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey."

Understanding Strongholds
May have developed to enable one to survive a difficult situation.
They also provide access to the enemy’s assaults
Protect: bad attitude, habits, wrong beliefs, behaviours, wrong patterns of thinking.
We become so reliant on these as opposed to the WORD.

How STRONGHOLDS develop
• Deceived by people we trust
• Rejection i.e. wounded souls: become self sufficient, needing no one
• A lot of unmet needs: keep fragility at bay, including God. Am not weak or do not need religion as a crutch.
• Hurt: God does not expect me to forgive because its unjust
• Betrayal: no one should get close, not even God’s perfect love
• Chaotic childhood: build boundaries around yourself
• Deprived/ unappreciated: gives me the right to indulge now in anything to chemically alter my brain. e.g Drugs, sex alcohol etc
• Fear, anxiety

All the above result in DENIAL which is a survival tactic.
Becomes an area for demonic harassment. Rather close that door as opposed to deliverance. Ask for discernment to know the difference.

John 10:10-11”The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (Abundant Life). I am the good shepherd ..."