08-15-10 AM - Sources of Strongholds

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James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

1. The first source of strongholds:
THE WORLD
Matthew 10:39
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

We may be physically here on earth but we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Eph. 2:6

2 Cor. 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

2. The second source of strongholds:
OUR EXPERIENCES

In the combined meaning of all that Jesus taught we find the reality of the Kingdom of God.

Romans 3:3-4
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?
4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

3. The third source of strongholds:
WRONG DOCTRINES

Matthew 24:4… "Watch out that no one deceives you.

Luke 6:40  A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

John 8:41 You are doing the things your own father does." "We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself

Discernment – The ability to perceive the nature and origin of a matter.

Any doctrine that does not lead to a closer walk with Jesus Christ and His love, holiness or power should be questioned.

Every battle we face in life is over the Word and whether or not we can build our lives upon the faithfulness and integrity of God.

Luke 8:15
"But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
1 Thess 5:21
But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

Victory begins with the name of Jesus on our lips. And is consummated by His nature in our hearts.