Breaking Strongholds
Buttafleye Ministry: Interactive Bible Study
Theme: Breaking Strongholds
Topic: The Bible and Samson
Instructor: Dr. Mar' Jae
Watch: Prayers to break strongholds
What is a stronghold?
Most people struggle with things from their past because they do not allow the Spirit to renew them in the present. Their destinies are stolen or destroyed because they were unaware of how spiritual strongholds develop. Strongholds are built up through various methods, providing Satan with a base of operations.
We are well aware of Satan's sinister tendencies. However, it extends beyond that. Satan's troops want to establish long-term strongholds where they may rule and hold people prisoner, adding to the every day harassing, tempting, or hit-and-run attacks. Demonic powers look for individuals and situations where they can flourish with minimal resistance.
Samson, a powerful individual, capitulated to a stronghold. Like many Christians, Samson was born to win, yet the Philistines took him as a prisoner. Samson's life offers a wealth of lessons.
He was a strong man who would eventually turn into a man of sorrow. Samson's story is a picture for the downtrodden Christian: our sin is the biggest obstacle to receiving God's power. And despite having God's strength, we frequently fall short of our potential.
Samson had (literal and figurative) “climbed into bed” with the world, and as a result, the world had a firm grip on him. His obsession with Delilah and his love for her served as his stronghold. He lost his spiritual vigor because he had turned away from dedication and obedience to the Lord due to her great influence over him. This stronghold, which appeared like an angel, was a demon.
THE MOST HIGH IS OUR STRONGHOLD THAT DESTROYS STRONGHOLDS
Psalms 9:9- 11
9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. 11 Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.
What the Bible Says About Spiritual Strongholds
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “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.” — 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
From this, we can see that:
Our battles are not of the earthly nature
Our weapons are not to be physical
“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” —Psalms 9:9
God intends to destroy spiritual strongholds in our lives
Romans 8:5-6 says, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
You must allow God's Spirit to cut down the stronghold if you want the abundant life and victory He promised.
STRONGHOLD SCRIPTURES
1 Samuel 22:4 So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.
Ezekiel 19:7 He broke down a their strongholds and devastated their towns. The land and all who were in it were terrified by his roaring.
1 Chronicles 12:16 Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold.
Jeremiah 51:53 Even if Babylon ascends to the heavens and fortifies her lofty stronghold, I will send destroyers against her,” declares the LORD .
1 Samuel 22:5 But the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah.”
Psalms 52:7 “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!”
Psalms 43:2 You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?
Zephaniah 3:6 [Jerusalem Remains Unrepentant] “I have destroyed nations; their strongholds are demolished. I have left their streets deserted, with no one passing through.
1 Samuel 23:14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph.
Isaiah 31:9 Their stronghold will fall because of terror; at the sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic,” declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
Joel 3:16 But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
Psalms 27:1 [Psalm 27] The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Amos 3:11 Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “An enemy will overrun your land, pull down your strongholds and plunder your fortresses.”
Jeremiah 48:1 [A Message About Moab] Kiriathaim will be disgraced and captured; the stronghold will be disgraced and shattered.
1 Samuel 23:19 The Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, south of Jeshimon?
Ezekiel 24:25 “And you, son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart’s desire, and their sons and daughters as well
2 Samuel 22:3 He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me.
2 Samuel 5:17 [David Defeats the Philistines] When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
Lamentations 2:2 Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob; in his wrath he has torn down the strongholds of Daughter Judah.
1 Chronicles 12:8 Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear.
Judges 9:49 They piled them against the stronghold and set it on fire with the people still inside.
Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Jeremiah 51:30 Babylon’s warriors have stopped fighting; they remain in their strongholds.
Psalms 144:2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
Lamentations 2:5 He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for Daughter Judah. Read this verse in context
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