Tag Archives: #spiritual warfare; #the strongman; #spiritual strongholds

Our warfare is not with flesh & blood!

According to Ephesians 6:11,

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Verse 12,

“FOR we wrestle not against fresh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

The Rulers of the darkness of this world are a classification of demonic spirits who spread darkness through trade of any kind.

You would think it is the bad people that are making it impossible for people to live.

Satan works through bad people to advance his agenda. The Bible says, calls it a wiles. The biblical definition of wiles is schemes. He is lying in wait to snare you or to trap you!

‘THE THIEF COMES TO STEAL, KILL, AND DESTROY BUT JESUS COMES THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY’ (John 10:10)

The article below gives us a picture of the spiritual battle that is being waged across the nation.

Read “Retail theft has gotten so bad Walmart will build a police station inside an Atlanta store” on SmartNews: https://l.smartnews.com/p-JiZwU/pQlETb

The world system only knows how to tackle the problem by taking away our freedom or adding the cost of doing business to the merchandise we buy from their stores. The Retailer’s National Association estimated 100 billion dollars is lost through retail fraud.

There is relief:

1. Make Satan work for you, Ecclesiastes 2:26,

“FOR God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also vanity and vexation of spirit.”

2. Make Satan give back seven times what he has stolen through fraud and deceit, Proverbs 6:30-31

“Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; but if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.”

3. Rest in the LORD, Psalms 37:7-9

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. CEASE FROM ANGER, and forsake wrath: FRET NOT THYSELF IN ANY WISE TO DO EVIL. FOR evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, shall inherit the earth.”

God knows how to get it to you, learn to trust him everyday!

Grace & peace!

Stronghold

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (KJV)

“A stronghold– A fortified place. A place of security or survival. A place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic.” Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary

Bible with Strong’s #H4685, defines, “Strong hold” as, “Fortification, castle, or fortified city, fenced”

Ed Silvoso defines strong hold as,

“A spiritual stronghold is a mind-set impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable, situations that we know are contrary to the will of God.”

The apostle Paul was dealing with a strong hold in the Corinthian Church. It was a stronghold of opinions that undermined his leadership. His detractors said, ‘”his speech is contemptible and his bodily presence is weak.”

The New Living Translation quotes, “For some say, “Don’t worry about Paul. His letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are really bad.” 2 Corinthians 10:9 (NLT)

Our Warfare

The apostle Paul said, he would not fight such with human weapons but spiritual weapons that were mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds. He said,

casting down imaginations and

every high thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,

bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

What should we know about a stronghold

A strong man lives in a strong hold and he will talk to you from a place of strength. His stronghold is fortified. A strong man will talk to you and it will control your life. The dumb spirit of Luke 11:14. This dumb spirit rendered his victim speechless. In Mark 9, what was probably a spirit of suicide, threw its victim into fire and water.

The demonic spirit called Legion, Mark 5:6-20

The unclean spirit called Legion caused his host to live in a graveyard. No man could bind him. No restrains could hold him. No man could tame him. Day and night legion caused his victim to cry out in pain cutting himself with stones.

One thing about the spirit called Legion, they knew Jesus was the Son of the most high God, they ran bowed down and worshipped him. They also knew Jesus had power to torment them. They asked him not to send them away out of the country. This Legion of demonic spirits were so afraid of being without a host that they asked Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs.

“And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.” Mark 5:12 (KJV)

The devils recognized Jesus’ authority. They talked to Jesus, worshipped him, sought his leniency. The strong man will talk to you out of a strong hold.

Presence Day Strong holds

There are presence day strong holds in the financial industry, medical pharmaceutical fields, prison systems, drug gangs, gun rings, motorcycle clubs, sex trafficking rings and the list goes on and on. Sometimes the demonic spirits ruling behind the scenes don’t readily reveal themselves and other times their behaviors is evident.

I had to deal with the stronghold of debt. I got myself into debt. It started out innocently, The first time I got into credit card debt, I saw all the wonderful things I could buy with a credit card. Once I got out debt, I went back into debt because I saw what a credit card could do for me? I could rent a car or rent a hotel room. This second time around, I stay in bondage to Citi-bank visa for twenty-two years. This time, I built stronghold into my own financial life. When a financial need came up, I already had the money set aside to meet those needs.

“And Tyrus build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.” Zechariah 9:3 (KJV)

How is a strong hold constructed

Dealing with a wiles,

The apostle Paul said, ‘we are not ignorant of the devil’s devices.’ He also said, ‘take the whole armor of God that you might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’

Wiles– Defined as, “deceit, a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive; also a beguiling or playful trick; skilled at outwitting; to lure by or as if by a magic spell; entice.” From Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary

I was sitting in the front room of my house. I kept hearing these thoughts rush into my mind, “You ain’t nothing. You are a nobody.” The same thoughts kept coming in rapid succession being repeated over and over again. I said, I rebuke that thought. I plead the blood of Jesus, then the next thing I heard with my ears, the sound of a record player, when the arm is this dislodge from the groves of the old vinyl disc record. I knew in that moment that I was under a demonic attack. Something I had not recognized before but in that moment and until this day, every thought that exalts itself or undermines me, I exercise authority and dominion over it and cast it out. I pleaded the blood of Jesus Christ over my thought life.

“When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from. So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and clean. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.” Luke 11:24-26 (KJV)

This is called relapse. Person could be set free but if there hasn’t been a renewal of mind, that person will get pulled back into that lifestyle. Jesus gave us a perfect example of what goes on in the spirit realm. A demonic spirit that was cast out, goes seeking another host but finds none and he goes back to previous host, find them clean and their lives put in order. This demonic spirit gets seven other spirits more wicked than itself who are probably looking for a new host, overwhelm the person’s will, retakes their new home.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, Proverbs 18:21. Your words are very powerful and your adversary needs you to agree with his words. His words are powerless until you agree with them and begin to speak those words and act upon them.

Ephesians 4:27, says give the devil no place. How does one give the enemy a place or foot hold? Through negative self talk, that is done on a repetitive daily basis. Your words becomes seed that will produce a negative harvest.

When a demonic spirit has gained access to a person’s heart and mind, it will continue to speak the same words over and over until it gains access to the person’s will. Once it gains access to the will, that demonic spirit will make the person self harm themselves. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy.

How do you overcome an attack of the enemy?

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, Ephesians 4:23-24, put on the new man. The end goal of the faith is to become like Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:13, coming into the unity of the faith, of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

“Finally, brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 (KJV)

The apostle Paul says, our warfare is not against flesh and blood but an enemies in the spiritual realm. A highly organized system designed to steal, kill and destroy. He said,

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…” Ephesians 6:13-14a (KJV)

Case in point, the man who was possessed by the demonic spirit called Legion, who lived in the tombs, cut himself with stones, strip off his clothes and constantly cried out. No one could tame him. Once Jesus cast the devil out of this man, he was sound in mind, seated and clothed.

“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possess with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind, and they were afraid.” Mark 5:15 (KJV)

If you want to pray biblical correct prayers that give the enemy no place, go to http://www.peopleofpraiseministries.org look for the confession tab. I’ve included several prayers and continue to update with new content.

Strong Man

“But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.” Luke 11:20-22 (KJV)

“But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the kingdom of God has arrived among you. For when Satan, who is completely armed, guards his palace, it is safe- until someone who is stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.” Luke 11:20-22 (New Living Translation)

“A strong man is one who leads or controls by force of will and character or by military methods.”

Jesus said when a strong man armed keeps his palace, his good are secure. The New Living Translation says the strong man of Luke 11, is Satan.

Our battles are not with flesh and blood but principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. The prince of the power of the air works in and through the children of disobedience.

The spiritual and natural works together in the sense that in the beginning in the garden of Eden, you had the spiritual (the river of life) flowing into the earth (natural). When the flow of the river of life was cut off, then the earth began to experience droughts and famine.

The Satan had to use the body of the serpent to communicate to the woman. The same is true when Satan’s kingdom is the spiritual head of a home, company, city, state, or nation. Spiritual darkness is working in the atmosphere of that home and family. Usually dealing with a person under the influence of demonic spirits is difficult unless the person wants deliverance.

Jesus had to defeat the strong man before he could spoil his kingdom. Jesus and Satan faced off in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-43. Jesus won the contest. He announced his ministry to the world, Luke 4:18.

There was another contest in Luke 10, Jesus trained his disciples to replicate his works.

“And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come unto you.” Luke 10:8-10 (KJV)

Jesus told them to heal the sick and say the kingdom of God is come unto You! Healing the sick had something To do with the kingdom of God coming unto them. When the seventy returned, they said to Jesus,

“And seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-21 (KJV)

This is an example of the strong man being put down, first on earth and then in heaven, see Revelation 12:1-17.

There is also strong men or strong women in our midst. There was a man, who had graduated from West Point Military Academy, who after retirement from the military service became the head of the company that was the main supplier of gas and electric service to my city. This man ran the company like he was in the military service. I learned a lot in not letting a company or man control the way I see things. Satan will work through people to intimidate and control you. You must speak to the strong man and not let the strong man intimidate you!

In Luke 11:14-26, Jesus was casting out a devil. The devil was a “dumb spirit.” Once the dumb spirit was cast out, the person that was made dumb spoke. A dumb spirit seeks to make a person unable to communicate. A dumb spirit seek to aggravate, frustrate, disappoint, deny and delay action. Usually, you are not dealing with a person but a spirit that is seeking to influence how you respond to it. The dumb spirit tries to talk you through the way you interpret a given situation. It makes you freeze in a battle.

Speak back to the strong man

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)

According to Luke 10:19, Jesus gave his disciples power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Cast it out!

“For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; TO EXECUTE UPON THEM THE JUDGMENT WRITTEN: THIS HONOUR HAVE ALL HIS SAINTS. PRAISE YE THE LORD.” Psalms 149:4-9

Examples of the Strong man

Examples of the strong man in action

Spirit of Infirmity

“And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.” Luke 13:11-13 (KJV)

Jesus said this woman had a spirit of infirmity. She was bowed over for eighteen years and could not in no way lift herself up. Jesus said her problem was a spirit of infirmity. The Greek definition of infirmity according to Strong’s with the Bible #G769 from #G772 is feebleness (of body or mind) ; disease infirmity sickness weakness.”

Jesus said Satan had bound her for eighteen years.

“And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” Luke 13:11-13

Satan had this woman bound with a demonic spirit of infirmity. Jesus also called the infirmity, “this bond”

The Biblical definition for bond is,

“A band that is ligament (of the body) or shackle (of a prisoner); figuratively an impediment or disability:-band bond chain string.” From Strong’s with the Bible #G1199

So it is possible that a demonic spirit forced this woman into a folded down position? Jesus, with words, loosed this woman from a spirit of infirmity.

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38 (KJV)

“He that committed sin is of the devil; for the devil sinners from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 (KJV)

–Pharaoh, King of Egypt, kept the children of Israel in bondage for about 400 years, Exodus 12:40-42 & Acts 7:6-7 (KJV)

–Goliath of Gath, a military champion the giant kept Israel in fear for forty days

“And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” 1 Samuel 17:8-11 (KJV)

“And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself for forty days.” 1 Samuel 17:16 (KJV)

Goliath spoke these same words, 1 Samuel 17:23 (KJV)

All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were “sore afraid” 1 Samuel 17: 24 (KJV)

Goliath challenged Israel for forty days UNTIL someone who knew the power of God accepted his challenge. That someone was David, a teenage shepherd boy. David said to Goliath:

“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. AND ALL THIS ASSEMBLY SHALL KNOW THAT THE LORD SAVETH NOT WITH SWORD AND SPEAR: FOR THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S AND HE WILL GIVE YOU INTO OUR HANDS.” 1 Samuel 17:45-48 (KJV)

David put his hand in his bag took out a stone, slang it and smote the Philistine in the forehead and he fell on his face. David took Goliath’s sword and cut his head off. The Philistine army fled in fear when they saw their champion was dead.

Four things stand out:

  1. Who is the strong man of your life?
  2. Whose words are you listening to?
  3. What are you saying to your Goliath?
  4. What’s in your hand?