In laymen's terms, how would you describe a "spiritual stonghold"?

Question

How would you define that term, and what are some practical methods to remedy it?

Answer 1

When I was attending church regularly I remember it being taught that a spiritual stronghold was an area marked not so much by negative powers, but by the absence of the power of God; that is to say, an area where faith in God was weak and thus dependence upon some other form of strength was compensatory.

In short, the absence of the protecting cloak of faith and the substitution of it with other practices.

Answer 2

There are two aspects to this term.

1) One is the stronghold of the enemy, who is the prince of this earth, Satan. 2) The other is the spiritual stronghold of being shielded within Christ and walking in the Spirit.

The First, Satan's Strongholds.

1) Sin (Yourself) - This is a stronghold that exists in your life that you struggle with the most as a Christian. Many men struggle with pornography or even have to shy away from looking at a woman who is dressed scantily. Other people have the tendency to lie, get angry, etc. These are spiritual strongholds of the Enemy that still exist within a Christian's life, and the areas in which a Christian is prone to fall more frequently. But the Christian will overcome the World

2) Unbelievers (Others) - Other strongholds of the enemy are through unbelievers, who are in fact enemies of God. (Romans 5:10) Understanding that those who not believers are in fact enemies under the slavery of Satan should make you guard your words, and not cast your pearls before swine. Also knowing this you must realize that many people are caught in lies and deceitful teaching that spreads like fire in a dry forest. Be careful and guard your understanding. Use the bible to rebuke falsehood and lies.

3) Satan and demons - 1 Peter 5:8 - The enemy is the chief of all liars and his goal is to destroy mankind. There are times in which the enemy will cause sickness for a time, afflict you with a harsh situation, or tempt you to sin. During these times you must stand firm in God's strongholds. Ephesians 6:12 We don't wrestle with flesh and blood but against the powers and rulers of darkness of this world.

Strongholds of God.

1) The Rock - God is our stronghold and in Him we hope. We have no chance of defeating the enemy without Christ. God is our protector, and by putting on the Armor of God, we can overcome sin, temptation, and the enemy. (Ephesians 6:12-19)

2) The Secret Place (Psalms 27:5) - This is a place and a state in which you dwell where no sin can enter. It is the deep intimate and personal bond between you and Christ, your creator. In this place no one can touch and it is the place where Christ's love is seen the most. (Romans 8:38-39)

Remedying Strongholds...

Psalms 9:9 The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble,

Humble yourself before God and fall as a dead man at His Greatness and Glory. (Revelation 1:17) Repent, believe, and trust in Him. Read and saturate your mind with His word and ask to know Him more. Let that be your prayer each day and you will overcome the strongholds of the enemy.

Answer 3

Usually a "spiritual stronghold" gets built when someone listens to the lies of the Devil. It can take many different forms but they all fall under the category of a "besetting sin". Some form or behavior that is harmful that the person can't seem to completely repent of even though they desire to stop what they are doing.

There are a couple of things to consider when trying to break a stronghold. One is that even though the person might say that they want to change their behavior and even believe that they are telling the truth, the fact is that their behavior is in some way meeting a need that they feel and since they want that need to be met they keep going back to the behavior that has in some measure worked to meet that need in the past.

So in order to break the stronghold, you have to identify what need the person is getting met with the harmful behavior and get them to recognize that the way they are meeting it is destructive while showing them how they can get that need met God's way.

Answer 4

I like sisterzeal's definition. But you also asked some methods to remedy it. Try the 3 R's.

1- Recognize what it is. Realize it's from the devil to trap you up.
2 - Repent. Pray for allowing that thought to get hold of you.
3 - Renew your mind. Find a scripture verse that helps you and memorize it. Read the Word and renew your mind with God's Word and who He says you are. You are his child and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

Answer 5

Simply put, strongholds are the works, desires, and lusts of the flesh and being held captive by these things.

The remedy for strongholds is to "walk in the spirit" by taking every thought captive to be obedient to Christ.

According to Philippians 4:8-9: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {9} Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

Thanks for asking such a great question! :)

Answer 6

In worldly terms it's like addiction
In laymen's terms it's like chains that tie a person to a certain thought pattern and they cannot seem to break it and nobody can talk them out of it so they need help from the Holy Spirit to break the chains that bind them to these thought patterns.

Answer 7

I am not Protestants, but being born again means Born of the Spirit. God's Holy Spirit. Blessings

Answer 8

Let's start with some Biblical references:
God is our refuge and Strength,... 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:1, 7.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.... 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 and above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God; Ephesians 6:10, 11, 13-17.

There are other references in Romans, Luke, 1 John, and particularly Isiah that tell us the same.

In lay-men's terms, the only spiritual stronghold spoken of in Scripture is the Holy Trinity: God the Father ("Lord of Hosts", "God of Jacob") God the Son (Gospel, and Salvation" and God the Holy Spirit (Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God).

What then shall we say to these things? If god is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31.

See also Rev. Dr. Martin Luther's (1483-1546) great reformation hymn Ein Feste Burg (A mighty Fortress is Our God)

Your friend in Christ,

Mark

Answer 9

homosexuality,lust,masturbation,pedophilia, witchcraft,racism,depression,anger.....

these are just a few examples of spiritual strongholds. remember all sins are equal some just become addictive and are hard to be set free from.

Speak the word of the Lord daily ask him for deliverance ask him to put you through the refiner's fire.

"In Jesus name I break your bondage of__________Satan and I say that I am not under the law but under grace"

Ask Jesus to deliver you from the evil one

most importantly do not let it get you down just ask for forgiveness if you mess up get back up and continue doing the work for the kingdom .

See Satan wants you te stay down when you mess up God wants you to claim forgiveness and the cross over your sins and to continue his will.

I release blessings into your life in Jesus name

Love,
alright 11

Answer 10

Basically, a spiritual stronghold is like a "5th column" - like the trojan horse.

An enemy is unwittingly allowed entrance into the castle and sets up "roots", that is to say, the enemy establishes itself and holds on to it's position.

It's like when the children of Israel did not completely and successfully remove all the enemy from the land God gave them, and they became a troublesome source of all kinds of problems.