Break Free From Spiritual Strongholds in Your Life . . . Be TRULY Free!
Danabeth Cowles explains the internal struggle between spirit and flesh and emphasizes the importance of renewing the mind through faith and God’s power to overcome strongholds.
In every born-again believer there is a continuous battle between our spirit and the desires of our flesh. Our mind decides which one wins. Romans 7:18-23 explains this struggle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
Although our fleshly body cannot be born again it can be disciplined as we serve God and grow in faith and obedience, but our minds must be renewed continually by reading God’s Word, praying, serving Him by serving others, praise and worship, fellowshipping with other Christians, and allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts and attitudes (Romans 12) by living our faith authentically every day. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to renew your mind?
Ephesians 4:21-24 says, “. . . if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
The “new man”, my friend, walks by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Many people become prisoners of the enemy’s lies. The pain, disappointments, and grievances of their past and present keep them from seeing any hope in their future. They think about those things constantly.
That which obsesses us, possesses us.
Those thoughts and experiences cause them to create strongholds in their minds that keep them imprisoned, unable to find their way out and to the abundant life our Lord Jesus Christ came to give us! (John 10:10) The good news is that no matter what the lies or transgressions are, no matter how deep the pains and disappointment are, no matter how seriously we have been offended by others, Jesus Christ has the power to set us free! He is our healer, deliverer and our trusted friend.
According to Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” We must believe He will help us and we can overcome and break free. Learn to recognize the strongholds and realize that with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)
How do we pull down strongholds? 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, “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.”
We must believe that Jesus is able, and through the wisdom and power of His Spirit and the knowledge He has given us in His Word, we can renew our minds and deal with any sinful behaviors that reinforce the strongholds, thereby giving ourselves the power we need to break free! We must also continue in prayer, worship, serivce, and Christian fellowship. For in His presence, the shackles of illusion and false beliefs that support these strongholds, can be broken and removed. True freedom comes only from God’s power. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Trust God, seek His presence, accept His freedom through the renewing of your mind, and watch Him move in wonderful.ways your life!
Danabeth Cowles
Minister of Music and Missions