GOD ENABLES US TO BREAK STRONGHOLDS OF THE DEVILS
God enables those who trust him to break strongholds of the flesh and mind (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against… the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Our God enables us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).
GOD ENABLED A WEAKEN STRONG MAN TO BREAK STRONGHOLDS
Samson, in the Old Testament, was blessed to have a special relationship with the Lord. He was dedicated to God by his parent at his birth. God gifted him with exceptional strength which was connected to his uncut hair.
But Samson lusted for a woman named Delilah, who was an enemy of God and his people. His lust allowed Delilah to gradually develop a stronghold in his life. When she learned that the secret of his strength was in his hair, she betrayed him to his enemies for a large sum of money. She had his hair shaved off after putting him to sleep in her lap. Then Samson’s enemies, the Philistines, seized him, gouged his eye out, and shackled him with chains.
However, the Lord caused Samson’s hair to grow again. The Philistine was preparing to celebrate their victory over Samson at a gathering of thousands in the temple of their god, Dragon. Samson prayed to the Lord: “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more…Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.” (Judges 16).
GOD’S LOVE ENABLED A SINFUL WOMAN TO BREAK FREE
The Bible tells us of a woman who came to Jesus because she recognized her sins and the power of the Lord’s love.
Jesus was invited to a Pharisee’s house for dinner, when a woman known to be sinner came with an expensive container of perfume. She knelt at the feet of Jesus, and “began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”
When the religious leader who invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him…is a sinner.” (Luke 7:36-50).
However, Jesus said to the woman who recognized her sins and Jesus’ love, “Your sins are forgiven.”
GOD’S LOVE AND POWER ENABLES US TO BREAK STRONGHOLDS
The biblical Word of God lets us know each of us, like Samson, struggles with a particular “sin which so easily ensnares us” (Hebrews 12:1). The devil, the god of this world, uses the things of this world to ensnare us—“the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life [pleasure, greed, money, possessions, power, positions, recognition and other things of the world]—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16).
But God’s Word instructs us: “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” And “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
God assure us that with the power of his Spirit he will help us overcome strongholds and besetting sins of the devil and the world. Believe what God says: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6):
- We overcome sin and the world by God’s love and atoning blood of his Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
- Believing and following Jesus Christ as “the way and the truth and the life”—is the way to God the heavenly Father (John 14:6).
- The truth shall set you free (John 8:31-32).
- Draw near to God; resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7-8).
- Sin shall not have dominion over you (Romans 6:14)
- If we confess your sins God is faithful and just, because of the atoning death of his only begotten Son, to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
God’s grace is sufficient to break every stronghold in our lives (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 12:9).
We can do all things through our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ who died to set us free (Roman 5:8); and strengthens us by the power of the Holy Spirit (Philippians 4:13; John 14:26; Acts 1:8).
