Breaking Down Strongholds
There is a very real warfare happening in the spiritual realm and Christ followers are called to engage in the war.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, TNIV)
Whether they realize it or not, everyone is involved in this war to one degree or another. There is no neutral place like Switzerland for you to run to in this world war. You are either a prisoner of war, in bondage to Satan, or you are part of the resistance forces. If you’re a decided follower of Christ, than you are a rebel, a contra—opposed to the controlling regime of Satan—involved in guerilla warfare.
Notice the text says that are weapons are not “of this world” – in other words; rifles, grenades, missiles, bombs, tanks and jets – “On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (v.4) Or, as one translation reads, “mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” Think about that word “stronghold” for a minute. What is a “stronghold”? A stronghold has walls and is built to keep someone in or out.
Satan surrounds his captives with “strongholds” (prisons) – built by circumstances, choices, relationships, habits, addictions, etc. God says that we can use spiritual weapons to pull down and demolish those strongholds so that prisoners can escape if they choose to!
God won’t force anyone to be saved, but sometimes he will do some pretty dramatic things to get people’s attention. When you pray for lost loved ones, don’t always pray for safety. Pray specifically for God to intervene in their lives and do whatever it takes for the strongholds to be demolished!
