How to Build a Stronghold

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

The word ‘stronghold’ in this verse is a fortress used metaphorically. But it also indicates, at least in this verse, that some strongholds are harmful and need destroyed and warfare is involved.

Stronghold: a fortified place; a place of security of survival; a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic[i] A definition for fortress is: a place that is protected against attack[ii]

Any stronghold other than God that we run to such as food, money, people, sex, anger, spending, gossip, etc. is a trap that will not let us go easily. This kind of stronghold is deeply entrenched, reinforced by the enemy and covered with shrubs to camouflage it.  He does not want you to (1) recognize it as a stronghold or (2) to be free of it.  Just try to break away and you will know warfare.  That is why we need weapons beyond ourselves to destroy it.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

The way I picture it is like the building of a circular tower.  A tower is built one brick at a time. If we imagine for a moment that every decision we make either adds a brick or removes a brick we can see that the bondage of strongholds doesn’t just happen, it is slowly built over time. Our choice to take refuge in our familiar stronghold will add a brick; our choice to flee FROM our familiar stronghold and TO the stronghold the LORD offers will remove a brick.

So to build a stronghold – keep adding bricks, one choice at a time – keep spending, keep running to people or food, keep responding in anger – in so doing, every added brick increases the draw and bondage of the stronghold.

Instead, root out the lie and replace it with the truth. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ… 2 Corinthians 10:5

Then…

By faith, run to the stronghold that God provides.  The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9; The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1; The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:1

Over time the stronghold that has kept you in bondage will crumble, brick by brick. And the LORD, our mighty and glorious stronghold will guard and protect us in truth.

Blessings,

Diane

[i] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold accessed 9.3.19

[ii] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortress (for English language learners) accessed 9.3.19

Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.