Breaking strongholds refers to overcoming persistent negative patterns like fear, addiction, and lies, through spiritual means.
A few months ago I took a Bible study on being rooted. There was a section that was called Breaking Strongholds. My first thought was that this would be an easy section, but I was wrong. It really made me think about the power struggle going on in my life. The power of sin against the Holy Spirit.
We are constantly choosing between two kingdoms life or death, light or darkness, truth or lies. While we might not do it consciously we allow our adversary to have authority in our lives. And this is what scripture calls “strongholds.”
Paula told us in Galatians 5:16-21,
Breaking strongholds is a process of identifying deceptive beliefs, confronting them with truth, and using spiritual weapons like God’s Word to dismantle mental or spiritual barriers.
I learned from this Bible study that there are key steps to breaking strongholds.
1. We have to identify the stronghold. We need to recognize patterns of negative thinking, behavior, or emotional bondage life fear, anger, or self-defeat that feel like walls.
2. We have to identify the lie. We need to determine the deceptive belief that fuels the stronghold whether it is “God doesn’t care” or “I’m not worthy.”
3. We have to take our thoughts captive. To actively reject wrong thoughts and replace them with truth from scripture, bringing our minds into obedience to Jesus.
4. Pray and Fast. Engage in persistent prayer and fasting as led by God to gain strength and clarity.
There is something called “The Daniel Fast,” if you can’t go without eating because of a health condition.
5. Turn away from sins and confess ungodly patterns.
I think it is important that we do not pick up the same sinful patterns over and over. While we all make mistakes, let’s try to be a better version of ourselves than we were yesterday.
6. We need to seek guidance. Talk to someone you trust, like a pastor, therapist, or someone experienced in spiritual warfare.
Whether we recognize it or not, we are all in a spiritual fight for our lives.
7. Rely on God’s Word, worship, and confession to dismantle deceptive imaginations and strongholds.
8. We need to be desperate for freedom. Develop a deep desire to be free, willing to challenge our old, familiar painful patterns.
From Pity to Praise 