Strongholds can be good and stronghold can be bad. They are bad when they are identified as bad, but still allowed in our lives. They are good when we are fortified to fight the evil that is so prevalent in our world. In 2 Corinthians 10 Paul speaks to the bad strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10: 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
Paul doesn't "pull any punches" when dealing with strongholds. The people of the church at Corinth had allowed certain strongholds to take root in their fellowship and their were some who were working hard to keep those strongholds in place and the one empowering them was satan. Paul realized that the battle was the Lords, "literally" and that battle could only be fought by God. Human reasoning, instead of Godly reasoning had allowed strongholds to develop and it was out of hand. To the point that the people were now against Paul, who had started the church. The had decided they were no longer going to follow Paul's authority and had spoken against his character to sway others minds. All of this was pure evil and very distracting to the cause of Christ. It was Paul's desire to bring them back to a "spiritual" frame of mind to fight these evil strongholds.
Some "modern day" strongholds have come to light in our kingdom work and we need to be very "on task" and award and pray through these tough times. God is still at work but some in the church have let the situations of life distract them from preaching and living the truth of God's Word. We even some in churches defending the practice of not preaching the gosple and offering salvation to those attending. Sometimes our church services can become more a classroom where the saints get a "lesson" in Bible. We want to get to know scriptures because that causes growth in life, but the main reason for the church is to preach the gospel in whatever way we can to offer hope to those who are lost in sin. Another wonderful practive would be for Christians to bring lost people to hear the message, but that has fallen by the wayside when the gospel isn't even offered. Churches have become in highlighting everything but the gospel and this is an "American Church Stronghold" and it needs to be torn down and the done right.
It is time for revival to begin at the church. The strongholds in our midst will not go down easily, so if you want change to take place be ready for a fight. Peter wrote this in 1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? I believe we are under some of that judgment as many churches are dead or dying and no change is taking place to fix it. I almost cringe when I hear someone say "I was raised in the church" and I want to ask "Were you raised according to God's Word?" A person who has a problem with a stronghold in their life will bristle when asked that question and therein lies the problem. We have become content to just float through life on half truths and inuendoes instead of the pure truth of the Word of God. This must stop or these strongholds will leave a permanent mark on the Lord's church.
It is time to get honest with God and ask Him to show us the strongholds in our lives and then allow Him to truly change us at our core. It will most definitely be a "heart change" and it will hurt some, but the end result will be us getting back on the path Jesus set for the church when He died for it. Jesus spoke these words to the church in Sardis and He spoke clearly to the church of today as well. Revelation 3:This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.
God doesn't want us to be caught off guard, so Paul's instructions are meant to help us, if we aren't so far gone we won't listen to God. Oh Lord, open the eyes of my heart!!
Vesselogical Out,
David Warren
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