Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries. This is Breaking the Chains, Series Three, Breaking Spiritual Strongholds. Lesson One: What Bondage Is, Pulling Down Strongholds.

We're so glad you're here.

Before We Begin

A gentle note first. This course is Bible teaching and spiritual encouragement. It does not replace professional counseling or medical care. We encourage you to use those good resources right alongside your faith. And if you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time, day or night, in the United States. In an emergency, call 911.

Where We Left Off

In Series One, we looked at drugs, pills, and alcohol. In Series Two, we looked at sexual sin. In both, we saw the same thing: sin promises freedom, but it brings bondage. And in both, we saw that Jesus Christ breaks chains.

Now we step back and ask a deeper question. What is bondage, really? Why do some sins seem to grab hold of a person and not let go? And how does God tear those things down? The Bible has a word for it: a stronghold.

Our Key Verse

Today's key verse is 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" — 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (KJV)

A stronghold is a fortress. In Bible times it was a walled place built to keep an enemy out, or to keep a captive in. Paul says there are spiritual fortresses too. They are built out of "imaginations," lies, and proud thoughts that set themselves up "against the knowledge of God." And he says our weapons are mighty through God to pull them down.

What Bondage Is

Jesus defined bondage plainly:

"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." — John 8:34 (KJV)

Bondage is when a sin stops being something you do and becomes something that rules you. You say, "I can quit any time," but you don't. You promise, "Never again," and then do it again. That's what a servant does. He obeys his master.

Paul said the same thing:

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" — Romans 6:16 (KJV)

Every time we yield, the chain gets a little stronger.

How a Stronghold Is Built

A fortress isn't built in a day. It's built one stone at a time. Spiritual strongholds are the same. They start with a thought. "I deserve this." "Nobody will know." "God doesn't really care." "I'll never change." We believe the lie, we act on it, and we do it again, until the habit has walls.

The Bible warns us not to hand the devil building materials:

"Neither give place to the devil." — Ephesians 4:27 (KJV)

"Give place" means to give room, a foothold. Unconfessed sin, a lie we keep believing, a grudge we keep feeding: these give the enemy a place to build.

And remember who the enemy is:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." — Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

Your real enemy is not your spouse, your boss, or your past. It's a spiritual enemy who wants you bound.

The Battle Is in the Mind

Look again at the key verse. Paul talks about "imaginations" and "every thought." Most strongholds are built on lies. That's why the battle is won or lost in the mind.

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:" — Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)

The devil is a liar from the beginning. Jesus said:

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." — John 8:44 (KJV)

If lies build strongholds, truth tears them down.

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." — John 8:32 (KJV)

Our Weapons

Our weapons "are not carnal." That means human willpower, good intentions, and New Year's resolutions are not enough. God gives us better weapons. Paul lists the armour of God, and the one weapon for attack is the Word:

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" — Ephesians 6:17-18 (KJV)

The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And prayer. Those are the weapons that pull down strongholds.

So when a lie comes, answer it with Scripture. When the thought says, "You'll never change," answer, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17). When it says, "God is done with you," answer, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).

That's what Paul means by "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." You take the thought prisoner before it takes you prisoner.

Submit and Resist

James gives us the order:

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." — James 4:7 (KJV)

First submit, then resist. You can't resist the devil while you're still holding on to the sin. Surrender to God first. Then stand against the enemy, and he will flee.

Jesus Has Already Won

Here's the best news of all. You don't fight for victory. You fight from victory. Jesus already won at the cross.

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." — Colossians 2:15 (KJV)

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." — 1 John 4:4 (KJV)

Questions for Study

1. In your own words, what is a stronghold, based on 2 Corinthians 10:4-5?
2. According to John 8:34, what is the difference between doing a sin and being in bondage to it?
3. What does it mean to "give place to the devil" in Ephesians 4:27?
4. What is one lie you have believed about yourself or about God? What verse answers it?
5. Why are carnal weapons, like willpower alone, not enough?
6. Read James 4:7. Why does submitting to God come before resisting the devil?

Simple Steps for This Week

First, ask God to show you any stronghold in your life. Write it down.

Second, write down the lie that holds it up, and find a verse that answers that lie.

Third, memorize 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

Fourth, tell one trusted believer what you're fighting, and ask them to pray with you.

And fifth, read Ephesians chapter six and John chapter eight.

Next Time

In Lesson Two, we'll look at a stronghold that's growing fast in our land: gambling, and the love of money that feeds it.

A Prayer

Let's pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You that the weapons of our warfare are mighty through You to pull down strongholds.

Show us the lies we have believed. Tear down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of You. Help us bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

We submit ourselves to You. Give us strength to resist the devil.

Thank You that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us. We'll see you in Lesson Two.

This is Authorized Sword Ministries. God bless you.

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Sources

This lesson uses Scripture only. No outside statistics are quoted.