Satan's first line of defense was our own thoughts, attitudes, and opnions which are in agreement with evil. Lz granderson: rare is the believer who does not have to contend with at least one of the strongholds. Satan builds an intricate structure based upon lies in order to bind us and keep us from God's fullness, he says.
Satan's first line of defense was our own thoughts, attitudes, and opnions which are in agreement with evil. Lz granderson: rare is the believer who does not have to contend with at least one of the strongholds. Satan builds an intricate structure based upon lies in order to bind us and keep us from God's fullness, he says.
Satan's first line of defense was our own thoughts, attitudes, and opnions which are in agreement with evil. Lz granderson: rare is the believer who does not have to contend with at least one of the strongholds. Satan builds an intricate structure based upon lies in order to bind us and keep us from God's fullness, he says.
• When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. Luke 11:21-22 • Before salvation you and I were the “undisturbed possessions” of the devil • Like a “strong man” guarding his homestead, satan kept us in check • However, Jesus—the glorious “someone stronger” attacked and overpowered satan and stripped away his armor. • What was satan’s first line of defense? Our own thoughts, attitudes, and opnions which are in agreement with evil. • Jesus described it as armor, Paul classified it as strongholds in 2 Cor. 10:1-4 • 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; • And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled 2 Cor.10:3-6 • Please recognized WHO Paul is writing—to the CHURCH! • It is foolish to think that salvation has eliminated all the wrong ideas, attitudes, and strongholds that are in us influencing our perceptions and behavior! • We are in a PROCESS that will ultimately end in us walking and coming into the FULLNESS that is in Christ—but until then… • Rare is the believer who does not have to contend with at least one of the following strongholds: – Unbelief – Cold love – Fear – Pride – Unforgiveness – Lust – Greed • A stronghold is a house made of thoughts. • Satan builds an intricate structure based upon lies in order to bind us and keep us from God’s fullness. Based on our “experiences” we allow that to define “reality” for us. • To defeat the stronghold of experiences we must, ‘let God be true, and every man a liar..” • Reality is “truth” as defined by the Word of God. Who is ruling your life? Truth or experience? • This goes back to last weeks lesson: the only way to overcome and get victory in these areas is repentance—a change of mind and heart. • Pride cannot stand in the way of a repentant heart. • Blessed are those who mourn, • “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” 2 Cor. 7:9-11 • Diligence: earnestness, carefulness • Clearing of yourselves: transparency • Indignation: anger, “much to grieve” • Fear: wholesome dread of displeasing God • Vehement desire: a longing for, an earnest • Zeal: a fervent mind(heat), passion • Vindication: to proceed from justice, to avenge NOT revenge • “Set your mind on things above, NOT on things of the earth..” Co. 3:2 • 10 MINDSETS YOU MUST HAVE IN ORDER TO BE FREE: • 1. My future is determined by God and not my past experiences—Philippians 3:13 • Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, – 2. I take full responsibility for my thoughts, attitudes, and actions – 3.I walk in humility and am quick to fully repent and walk in complete forgiveness and restoration – 4. I have ALL patience and longsuffering to see this through with joy! – 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Co.1:11-12 – being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; Ph 1:6 • 5. I have NO limitations as it concerns God’s will for my life. • “For with God nothing will be impossible.” Lk.1:37
• Ps.78: 40 How often they provoked Him in the
wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert! 41 Yes, again and again they tempted God,
And limited the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember His power:
The day when He redeemed them from the
enemy, • 6. I walk in love and fear will not influence my life and decisions • Romans 8:15 • For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 2 Timothy 1:7 • For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind – 7.I have all strength & can and will endure to fulfill my destiny • 2 Corinthians 9:8 • And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work – 8. My heart is for God and His ways and I refuse to do it any other way • 8. My heart is for God and His ways and I refuse to do it any other wayRomans 1:16 • [ The Just Live by Faith ] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. – 9. I am blessed and highly favored, blood bought, Bible taught, and Jesus caught – 10. Everything in my life is working for GOOD, as I love Him and continue in my calling to be like HIM!