Stronghold Beliefs Part 1
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Luke 2:41-50; John 4:34; 5:19
Last week, in my Memorial Day message, I shared with you what takes place when a new recruit enters the military. I told you about the discipline training they receive which could potentially lead them to sacrifice their life for the good of others (and country.) That discipline, which equips the person to be willing to do this, is an example of a strong belief that the individual holds internally. No serviceman or servicewoman would be so strongly convinced to give their life for another without their already possessing the internal, strong, and unwavering belief that this was the right thing (and their duty) to do. These internal, strong and unwavering beliefs that we all have in some areas of our life is the focus of this series I’ve titled “Stronghold Beliefs.”
Second Corinthians 10:3-5 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.) Casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Paul says that the “weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” I want you to keep these verses in mind as I will refer back to them throughout this series.
As you can imagine from reading Second Corinthians 10, stronghold beliefs can have a negative connotations as it relates to beliefs in our lives that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. In this series I will not focus solely on the negative connotations of stronghold beliefs, but a majority of our time will be spent on those stronghold beliefs that we need to develop in order to have the relationship with God that He wants to have with us to equip us achieve those things that God has assigned for us to accomplish. Before I go further, I want to spend a few minutes reviewing the definitions of stronghold beliefs after which we will examine a stronghold belief that Jesus held throughout His life. In the upcoming weeks, we will examine some additional stronghold beliefs that all of us should develop which will equip us to stand strong in these last days. Let’s start with the definition of the words belief, strong, hold and stronghold belief.
Belief is defined as the “acceptance by the mind that something is true or real, often supported (or fortified) by an emotional or spiritual sense of certainty.” When the mind accepts something as true and then it is fortified by an emotional or spiritual sense of certainty, then it becomes a belief. At this point it is just a belief which could change when challenged with new information and/or argument. For the purposes of this message I want to use this definition for the word strong: “able to withstand great force or pressure.” This could apply to something built (like a home built to withstand a hurricane or tornado) or it can also apply to the mental power of a person (someone who has the internal fortitude to withstand outside pressures.) Strong in this sense is represented by the internal power or fortitude. The next word is hold. There are several definitions of this word as it is both a verb and a noun. For the purposes of this message I want to focus on the use of the word as a noun. The definition is, “an act or manner of grasping something; power or control.”
The individual definitions of the words belief, strong and hold give rise to the definition of the words stronghold beliefs. There are two definitions of stronghold that I want to share. The first definition is “a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.” This definition often refers to a physical place or structure. In this definition it defines the structure as being “able to withstand great outside force or pressure” in the sense of an assault (i.e. an enemy or dangerous weather conditions.) I want you to see two images. The first is a fortress, a structure with walls so high and thick it is almost impregnable. It is designed to keep the intruders out. Do you remember the story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho from the book of Joshua chapter six? The people of Jericho had absolutely no fear of ever being attacked because of the walls they had constructed around their city. Those walls were built to keep their occupants in and their enemies out. They were fortified. This is the reason God had to bring those walls down – the Children of Israel alone did not have the power or strength to do it. God dispatched His angels who ultimately pushed the walls into the ground flattening them allowing the Israelites to walk into the city and take it over. The city of Jericho and their walls is an example of the first definition of stronghold and just like Paul stated in Second Corinthians 10:3-5, God pulled them down! When the Children of Israel obeyed the Word of God, the walls of Jericho, their stronghold, came tumbling down! Stronghold beliefs crumble in the presence of being obedient to God’s Word! Our obedience to God’s Word will bring down the stronghold beliefs in our lives that are not of Him.
The second image that I want you to see is that of a prison. As you know well, prisons are designed to keep prisoners inside. The walls of Jericho were designed to keep their enemies out and their occupants safely in. In a sense, they had built themselves a prison as it relates to keeping others out of their city. Now what do fortresses and prisons have in common? Those inside the fortress are held captive. Those inside the prison are held captive. Those outside of the fortress cannot get in without permission. Those outside of a prison cannot get in without permission. Are you seeing this clearly? Our stronghold beliefs imprison us which can be a bad thing if these beliefs exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. Stronghold beliefs that are of God and exalt Him acts as a fortress (a secure, safe place) for us. Now let’s look at the second definition of stronghold.
The second definition of stronghold aligns with the phrase “stronghold beliefs” which is the focus of this series. This definition is “a place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld.” The key words “strong defend or upheld” in this definition defines the difference between just believing something and that belief becoming a stronghold belief. A stronghold belief is one that a person holds and defends strongly, especially when the belief is being challenged with opposing arguments and information. In this situation the person stands firm and does not doubt that what they believe is true. This is why stronghold beliefs are so dangerous when they exalt themselves against the knowledge of God which we will discuss later.
Remember what I told you about those serving in the military? When you believe something so strongly that you’re able to defend your position, that belief becomes a stronghold belief in your life! When Paul used the word “strongholds” in Second Corinthians, he’s referring to those wrong thoughts and beliefs about God that have been emotionally hardwired into our lives that keep us from thriving in the truth of God’s Word. Stronghold beliefs, as used in Second Corinthians, are lies about God that the devil has engrained so deeply in our minds and belief systems that there is no way on God’s green earth they are not true. However, while strongholds can be bad, they can also be good. Those good stronghold beliefs that we must develop are ways of thinking about God that have been engrained so deeply in our minds and belief systems that there is no way on God’s green earth they are not true. Grasping this is critical. The stronghold beliefs that we have as it relates to our relationship with God define the core of who we are within Him. We have to know what we know without doubting. As James said in the first chapter of his book, “….for he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6b-8) When stronghold beliefs are present, doubts are not. Where doubts are present, stronghold beliefs are not – they cannot exist in the same space. You cannot strongly defend a belief when you have doubts about it – it is just not possible! I told you a few weeks ago that God knows that we will have times when we doubt, but as we grow in Christ, those times should be fewer and fewer as we get stronger and stronger through His Word. Developing stronghold beliefs are evidence of our spiritual growth. I will spend more time next week discussing how our doubts impact our stronghold beliefs.
As I shared at the beginning, this message is just the introductory message. We will go into more depth in the coming weeks as we look at different stronghold beliefs we either need to rid from our lives or develop into our lives. Before I close this morning I want to share with you one stronghold belief that Jesus held that would be a good starting point for all of us. This stronghold belief is one that will envelope us and become the foundation for all of the other stronghold beliefs we either develop or cast down. Turn with me to Luke chapter two and we will begin reading at verse forty-one.
“Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it. But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and His mother said unto Him, ‘Son, why have you thus dealt with us? Behold, Your father and I have sought You sorrowing.’ And He said unto them, ‘How is it that you sought me? Knew you not that I must be about My Father's business?’ And they understood not the saying which He spoke unto them.” (Luke 2:41-50)
The first stronghold belief that we should have is a desire and focus to be about our Father’s business. Jesus was solely focused on doing what His Father had sent Him to do. He had this understanding as a child. When He was twelve years old He disappeared from His parents when they had made a trip to Jerusalem. When His parents realized that He was missing from the caravan, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. After three days they found Him in the temple court asking questions of the teachers. When they confronted Him about separating from them and how anxious they were searching for Him, He asked them why they were searching for Him as they should have known that He had to be about His Father’s business. In other words, they should have known where He would be – in His Father’s house. This primary stronghold belief of doing the will of His Father was the foundation for everything else He did as an adult. Jesus knew His Father’s business because He spent time in the Old Testament scriptures learning about His “assignment.” Likewise, we learn about the Father’s business and our role in it when we too spend time in His Word. Let’s examine a few more examples where Jesus demonstrated this belief. Turn to John chapter four.
In John chapter four, Jesus came into the city of Samaria where He met a woman at the well. As He was talking to the woman, His disciples returned from buying food in the city and begged Him to eat. Verse thirty-four records Jesus’ response. “Jesus said unto them, My food is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34) Even though His physical body required nourishment, Jesus understood and knew where His true strength came from. He stated that His food came from doing His Father’s will. Imagine for a moment how our view of food and eating would change when we purposed ourselves to complete the work that God has given us to do. Fasting at that point would not seem so difficult. Turn to John chapter five.
Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and the Jews threw a fit. When they approached Him about it, Jesus told them that His Father worked on the Sabbath and so did He. This made them even madder because not only had Jesus broken the Sabbath, but He also claimed to be equal to God by claiming God was His Father. Let’s read verses nineteen and thirty of Jesus’ reply to them. “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do: for whatsoever things He does, these also does the Son likewise.......I can of My own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me.” (??John? ?5:19, 30) ?????????? Jesus made it clear that not only was He focused on doing His Father’s will, but He was doing what His Father was doing, even working on the Sabbath. Jesus did not set a timeline for when He could do His Father’s work as His life was all about doing His Father’s will. When we begin to increase the importance of doing God’s will in our lives, what we do for Him will not be so burdensome. Jesus focus was not on His personal will or what pleased Him, but what pleased His Father. ??????
Turn to John chapter six and we will read verses thirty-eight through forty.
In this chapter Jesus feeds more than five thousand people. After they have eaten they desired to make Jesus a king which prompted Jesus to separate Himself from them. They eventually find Him the next day and He begins to teach them about what it means to do the work of God. Jesus tells them that it starts with them believing in the One God has sent to them and in explaining this He tells them, “For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will Who has sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (??John? ?6:38-40) Again, Jesus makes it clear that He was a servant of God, here to do the will of His Father. So many times we get confused on this point. We allow people to make us think it is really about us and our gifts. But when we get to the point of totally believing that it’s about doing the will of God, we do not give in to the praise of men to be compromised by it. One final Scripture before I close this morning. Turn to Matthew chapter twenty-six. ??????????????????????????????????
When Jesus knew His time was at hand, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. You know this story. As He prayed, He asked the Father if it was His will, to stop what was about to happen to Him. Jesus was not running down the yellow brick road happily to die. No He understood the pain He was about to experience and He was not looking forward to it. He knew what was about to happen to His physical body and that those closest to Him would leave Him and run and hide, so this was not an easy time for Him. The Gospel of Luke records that while Jesus was praying His sweat fell to the ground as drops of blood. This is a medical condition call hematohidrosis which means to sweat blood. It can happen when a body is under extreme stress as Jesus was on this particular night. Matthew 26:39 & 42 records, “And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as You will...... He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Your will be done.” (??Matthew? ?26:39, 42) Even though He did not desire to experience the death on the cross, Jesus yielded His will to do that of His Father. Doing His Father’s will was more important to Jesus than His own life. Can we say that about our own lives????????????????????????????
As I go through this series, I want you to think about the stronghold beliefs that you have in your life – both good and bad. What are those beliefs that you hold so dear that nothing will make you believe something differently. What are those things that you believe without a shadow of doubt that you are willing to put a stake in the ground for it. I am talking about the strength and power of a belief similar to that of a parent who knows that their child is theirs. I am talking a belief so strong that when you hear something opposite it you do not even entertain it or give it a second thought. Whatever those beliefs are for you, they represent strongholds in your life. If their foundation is built on the Word of God, that is great. If, however, you have strongholds that are contradicted by the Word of God, those are the ones that I hope through this series you will begin to release.
The first stronghold belief that we should all have is a belief that doing the will of God outweighs everything else. And with that belief comes the knowledge that we must now find out exactly what His will is and then begin to do it. Just as Jesus did from a young age, it starts with our getting into God’s Word for ourselves.
I will continue next week. ???????
Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
(If you are ever in the Kansas City, KS area, please come and worship with us at New Light Christian Fellowship, 15 N. 14th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102. Our service Sunday worship starts at 9 a.m. and Thursday night Bible study at 7 p.m. Also, for use of our social media, you can find us at newlightchristianfellowship on FB. To get our live stream services, please make sure you “like” and turn on notifications for our page so you can be notified when we are live streaming. We also have a church website and New Light Christian Fellowship YouTube channel for more of our content. We are developing more social media streams so please stand by and we will notify you once those channels are up and running. We look forward to you worshipping with us. May God bless and keep you.)
