Breaking Strongholds with Faith

June 20, 2024

In 1909, a young woman lay in her bed, crippled with pain. She believed that the only way to relieve her suffering was through the medicine her doctor prescribed. For a while, the medicine worked, and her pain subsided temporarily. But ultimately, it killed her. The medicine contained arsenic, a toxic substance. Though it temporarily relieved her pain, it slowly destroyed her from within.

This story reminds me of how we often use vices to medicate our pain. Alcohol, drugs, gambling, and pornography are just a few examples of vices that are toxic to us. Yes, these vices might seem to resolve certain pains, longings, fears, anxieties, and oppressive feelings, but they are slowly killing us. They are toxic to our spiritual, mental, and sometimes physical well-being.

Many of us discover the deceptive comfort of these vices at a young age, often using them to cope with trauma in our lives. These vices then become strongholds and seem impossible to quit on your own. But there is hope. Trusting in God is the only way a Christian can successfully combat these vices. Do not try to control these strongholds within your own strength; you must surrender them to God and trust Him.

Many of us often ask the Lord to take away our strongholds in a moment of desperation, but here’s a new paradigm to consider: instead of asking God to instantly remove the stronghold, give it to Him daily. Surrendering your stronghold to God each day is a continual process, and your actions will prove this true. Every day, through your choices and reliance on God, you show that you trust Him to guide you through the battle.

When temptation comes, it’s crucial to depend on God’s Word. Remember, when the devil tempted Jesus, He didn’t rely on His own strength—He spoke the Word of God. In Matthew 4:1-11, we see how Jesus responded to each temptation with Scripture. The Word of God is our weapon in spiritual warfare, providing the power and truth we need to resist temptation. Just as Jesus overcame by standing firm in God’s Word, we must also rely on Scripture to overcome the temptations that threaten to enslave us.

It’s important to remember that seeking professional help is a valuable and courageous step in overcoming strongholds. Counselors, therapists, and pastors can provide the guidance and support needed to navigate through these challenges. Professional help, combined with faith, creates a powerful force for healing and transformation.

Remember these five pillars of faith when attempting to break a stronghold:

1. Community:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)

2. Confess your sins:
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16, NIV)

3. Read the Word:
When we read the Bible, we arm ourselves with truth to combat the enemy’s lies. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV) Reading and meditating on the Word equips us to stand firm against temptation, just as Jesus did.

4. Fast and pray:
Jesus said, “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:17-18, NIV). Fasting and prayer help us draw closer to God, strengthening our spiritual resolve and allowing His power to work through us.

5. Give yourself grace:
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

By trusting in God, speaking His Word in moments of temptation, and following His guidance, we can overcome these strongholds and find true healing. Let us lean on our community, confess our sins, read the Word, fast and pray, and extend grace to ourselves, knowing that His power is made perfect in our weakness.