Tearing Down Strongholds

Tim Tebow and his wife, Demi, have recently been touring Greece and sharing their thoughts and adventures on facebook.

I found this post particularly insightful, practical, and applicable to my life.

“Hey guys, wanted to share another impactful place Demi and I learned about while in Greece. In the background of ancient Corinth is this mountain/hill called Acrocorinth.”

All over the hill, there are massive fortified walls because it was a great defense position for several civilizations throughout history.

The term Acrocorinth is not mentioned in the Bible, but its presence would have been seen by Paul when he visited Corinth (Acts 18).

The wall forts on Acrocorinth could’ve been the visual Paul had in mind in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, we have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

“Strongholds” is the Greek word ouchuroma, which means a “fortress” or a “strong military fort.” In ancient times, this sort of fort would be built on high ground with 20+ ft walls to protect it (as they are on Acrocorinth).

Here, in 2 Cor. 10:4, Paul shares that, in Christ, we have divine power to take control of our thoughts, pull down the lies & ‘strongholds’ we believe, and replace them with the voice of Truth.

Far too often I let things stay in my head longer than they should (i.e. frustration, bitterness, comparison, etc.). Grateful for God’s grace and how we have the ability to take our thoughts captive.

Tim’s post reminds us that we’re all engaged in a spiritual battle. Note, spiritual, not physical or political battle. It’s a spiritual war against Satan and his minions. He seeks to destroy us. Or least wound us so that we’re not standing strong against his schemes and snares which try to entrap us.

Sadly, Warren Wiersbe was right when he wrote, “Many believers today do not realize that the church is involved in warfare, and those who do understand the seriousness of the Christian battle do not always know how to fight the battle. They try to use human methods to defeat demonic forces, and these methods are doomed to fail.”

What strongholds do you need to destroy?

• Pride?
• Lust?
• Greed?
• Anger?
• Envy?
• Jealousy?
• Intemperance?
• Intoxication?
• Procrastination?
• Unforgiveness?
• Gossip?
• Slander?
• Lying?
• Dishonesty?
• Doubt?
• Fear?

Of course, the strongholds may be the resistance of others. The lure of worldliness. The attacks of infidels and unbelievers. Carnal diversions. Secular philosophy. Risqué entertainment. Or physical, mental, and emotional addictions.

God has given us the provisions to destroy strongholds through preaching and practicing the Word. Putting on the Christian armor. Fighting the good fight of faith. Transforming our lives instead of conforming to the world. Petitioning the Lord in prayer. And leaning on the fellowship of other Believers as we bear one another’s burdens.

“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might….” (Eph. 6:10).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman