The concept of pulling down satanic strongholds is indeed a crucial aspect of spiritual warfare, aimed at breaking the power of demonic influence and oppression in the lives of believers and within the body of Christ. It's essential to recognize that the devil is not a benign figure but a malevolent entity whose ultimate aim is the destruction and ruin of mankind. Even his seemingly benevolent intentions are ultimately ruinous, as his sole purpose is to thwart God's plans and lead humanity astray.
In various aspects of life, we witness the manifestations of Satan's influence: families torn apart by strife and distrust, husbands neglecting their responsibilities to their wives and children, political leaders disregarding the sanctity of human life, and false prophets leading many astray. These are all areas where Satan seeks to exert his influence and sow chaos.
However, as children of God, we have been given authority over Satan and his cohorts through the victory won by Christ on the cross of Calvary. In Jeremiah 1:10, God declares to Jeremiah, "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." This signifies our authority to uproot and destroy every plant that God has not planted in our lives.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to actively engage in pulling down satanic strongholds in our lives, our churches, and our communities. Through prayer, fasting, and standing firmly on the promises of God's Word, we can dismantle the works of the enemy and establish God's kingdom rule in every area of our lives. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we declare victory over every scheme of the enemy and proclaim freedom, healing, and restoration in every sphere of influence.
MANIFESTATIONS OF DEMONIC INFLUENCE
The realities of satanic strongholds are indeed profound and impactful, affecting individuals, communities, and even the contemporary church. These strongholds, akin to fortified fortresses, serve both protective and offensive purposes in spiritual warfare.
Protective strongholds are constructed around those already in Satan's bondage, ensuring they remain under his perpetual domination. Meanwhile, offensive strongholds are deployed to attack and oppose those who have not yet come under his control, aiming to wound or intimidate them into captivity.In examining the lives of many individuals and observing Satan's activities in communities and churches, we encounter various manifestations of these satanic strongholds:
1. A pervasive spirit of suspicion, confusion, and discouragement in local churches, hindering the salvation of sinners, the edification of saints, and the overall progress of the church despite pastoral efforts.
2. Stagnation and lack of progress in life, regardless of efforts made to rectify the situation, as illustrated in the account of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.
3. Regular and unexplainable occurrences, such as mysterious deaths of family members, which can instill fear and uncertainty in individuals and communities, as seen in the story of Job in Job 1:6-22; 2:1-7.
4. Unreasonable and overpowering compulsive habits that defy reason and willpower, leading individuals into destructive behaviors, as exemplified in the story of Amnon and Tamar in 2 Samuel 13:1-20.
These examples underscore the tangible and detrimental effects of satanic strongholds in the lives of individuals and communities. However, as believers empowered by the authority of Christ, we have the ability to identify, confront, and dismantle these strongholds through prayer, fasting, and the proclamation of God's Word. By standing firm in faith and relying on the strength of the Lord, we can overcome every scheme of the enemy and experience freedom, healing, and victory in Christ.
TOOLS FOR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
In the spiritual battle against the devil, we rely not on carnal or physical weapons, but on the spiritual resources and armor provided by God Himself. These include:
1. The Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17): Our spiritual armor comprises six essential elements: (i) The belt of truth, (ii) The breastplate of righteousness, (iii) The sandals of the gospel of peace, (iv) The shield of faith, (v) The helmet of salvation, (vi) The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
2. The Name of Jesus (1 Samuel 17:45-51): The authority and power inherent in the name of Jesus enable us to confront and overcome the enemy's schemes.
3. The Blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:11): It is through the blood of Jesus that we are redeemed and protected from the accusations of the enemy. The blood has cleansing and purifying power, and it serves as a testimony to our victory over sin and death.
4. Effectual, Fervent Prayer (Matthew 16:19; 18:18; James 5:16-18): Prayer is a potent weapon in spiritual warfare. It aligns us with God's will, activates His power, and releases His authority into the spiritual realm.
5. The Believer's Confession of Faith (Revelation 12:11): Our testimony and confession of faith in Jesus Christ serve as powerful weapons against the enemy. By declaring the truth of God's Word and our victory in Christ, we thwart the enemy's attacks and advance God's kingdom.
These spiritual weapons are not to be underestimated. They are divinely appointed and empowered to dismantle the strongholds of the enemy, demolish every argument and pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). As we wield these weapons in faith and obedience, we can stand firm against the schemes of the devil and emerge victorious in every spiritual battle.
PATH TO SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
‘’ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you … put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified’’ (James 4:7; Isaiah 43:26). From the verses of the scripture above however, our spiritual resources are not mere ornaments for display; they are essential tools to be wielded in the ongoing spiritual conflict and warfare in which we are engaged (2 Corinthians 10:3-7). The fight of faith demands that we confront the adversary, the devil, the arch enemy of our souls, with all available resources, skill, and strength.
We are called to put on the whole armor of God and stand firm against the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:12-18). By doing so, we resist the devil, and he must flee from us (James 4:7). We have been given authority to bind evil spirits using the powerful name and the precious blood of Jesus (Matthew 16:19; 18:18).
In prayer, we approach the throne of grace with confidence and fervency, declare the word “it is written” with faith and earnestness (Isaiah 43:26). We hold fast to our confession of faith, declaring victory over Satan and his devices, knowing that our words have power to shape reality (Revelation 12:11; Numbers 14:28; Hebrews 10:23).
In this ongoing spiritual warfare, let us not be passive spectators but active participants, wielding our spiritual weapons with boldness and determination. By standing firm in faith, wielding the sword of the Spirit, and maintaining our confession of faith, we can overcome every obstacle and emerge victorious in Christ, and victory is our portion in Jesus name!