08-01-10 AM - Removing Strongholds

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REMOVING STRONGHOLDS
 2 Cor. 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

1. Use wisdom.

European Proverb: “Age and treachery will always defeat youth and zeal”

Many believers attempt warfare with idealism and untested fervor.

Matt. 10:16
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

So we must live by faith but think with wisdom.

2. Don’t try short cuts.

Acts 19:11-17
 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.
13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."
14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"
16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified.

Proverbs 20:18 Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance.
Spiritual warfare is meant to be a way of life not merely a teaching to use on occasion.

Ecc. 9:14-17
There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siege works against it.
15 But there was found in it a poor wise man and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
16 So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded.
17 The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war

The mind.

Col.1:13
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Luke 11:35
Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

Luke 22:31-32 31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

Prov. 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

The areas we hide in darkness are the very areas of our future defeat.

James 4:6-7
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."[3]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The greatest defense you can have against the devil is to maintain an honest heart before God.

Victory begins with Jesus on your lips but will not be consummated until you have the nature of Jesus in your heart.