2 Corinthians 10:4-5 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.
A spiritual stronghold is built layer by layer and will eventually affect us spiritually, emotionally, mentally and also physically. A ‘conventional pressure cooker’ allegorically typifies an unhealthy or demonic stronghold. As the steam builds inside the cooker and cannot escape the tightly sealed lid, a stronghold traps our emotions, hurt, excruciating pain of betrayal, disappointment or rejection until it bursts out as mental breakdown or despair. An unhealthy stronghold builds pressure, stress and heaviness in the mind until it causes harm to the body and the mind resulting in depression, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease. Stress is the number one cause of almost all medical and mental conditions.
According to American Psychological Association, Chronic stress is linked to six leading causes of death including heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, liver damages and suicide. Some of the major symptoms of unhealthy or demonic strongholds are social withdrawal and isolation, inexplicable weightiness or burden and whoredom. Whoredom is a Biblical word of idolatry, materialism or infidelity.
The weapons of our warfare to pull down spiritual strongholds are the name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus and the Word of God.
Symptoms of Unhealthy/Demonic Strongholds:
1. Withdrawal: Social withdrawal is one of the first signs of unhealthy strongholds. The cause could be underlying depression, rejection, low self-esteem or even trauma of a painful incident. The longer a person isolates themselves the stronger the stronghold of unforgiveness, arrogance or harmful toxic thought pattern will become. Break social withdrawal symptoms in a circle of trustworthy friends or family.
2. Whoredom: Whoredom is a Biblical word for idolatry and profanity. Whoring is to seek security in other deities or idols such as possessions, people or pleasures and to idolize materialism, power and pompousness. One of the stubborn strongholds that whoredom builds is pornography.
3. Weightiness: Inexplicable weightiness or a heavy burden about finance, family or future is a result of the stronghold of fear. Fear is a spirit and it has to be driven down. Demons don’t leave if they are requested to vacate. They have to be forcefully and authoritatively excavated. Don’t allow the spirit of fear to piggyback and sting you with anxiety. Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles (Hebrew 12:1b). Over thinking about our financial commitments, mortgage, health or relationship issues will allow the spirit of fear to jump on our backs and suppress us with depression. Capture and cast down unhealthy, fearful and weighty thoughts and leave it at the foot of the cross.
Identify the symptoms of unhealthy and demonic strongholds and destroy them before they build into a stranglehold.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Prayer: Jesus my Saviour, help me to identify unhealthy strongholds and destroy them. Amen.
Leave a Reply