THIS SERIES: A HEALTHY HEART
My husband and I live in the beautiful borderland between Scotland and England. The region is dotted, on both sides of the border, with the ruins of castles and peel towers. These were fortified strongholds, built to withstand attack both from rival neighbours and cross-border advancing armies; and were good or bad depending on what side you were on!
Identifying strongholds is an important part of maintaining heart-health. And one of the key strongholds to demolish is unbelief. It was unbelief that stopped Israel entering the Promised Land; and unbelief which stopped many of Jesus’ hearers receiving what He was offering to them. In both cases the unbelief stemmed from a faulty world-view, and a faulty or incomplete understanding of the nature of God.
Belief – or faith (it’s the same word in Greek) – is a choice based on the revealed character of God, rather than an emotion. Faith grows as our revelation of our amazing God and Saviour increases. However, we have an adversary, who is the father of lies [John 8:44], and unwittingly we often pick up these deceptions which seriously affect our heart-health. These lies are described as strongholds in the Bible.
Identifying strongholds is an important part of maintaining heart-health. And one of the key strongholds to demolish is unbelief. It was unbelief that stopped Israel entering the Promised Land; and unbelief which stopped many of Jesus’ hearers receiving what He was offering to them. In both cases the unbelief stemmed from a faulty world-view, and a faulty or incomplete understanding of the nature of God.
Belief – or faith (it’s the same word in Greek) – is a choice based on the revealed character of God, rather than an emotion. Faith grows as our revelation of our amazing God and Saviour increases. However, we have an adversary, who is the father of lies [John 8:44], and unwittingly we often pick up these deceptions which seriously affect our heart-health. These lies are described as strongholds in the Bible.
“Every area of your life that does not glisten with hope means you are believing a lie
and that area is a stronghold of the devil in your life.”
Steve Backlund, quoting Francis Frangipane
and that area is a stronghold of the devil in your life.”
Steve Backlund, quoting Francis Frangipane
This quote is a life-changer!
It is a great spiritual barometer – and can be transformational if acted upon. Take time for a heart examination, and ask the Lord to show the areas of your life and circumstances which are not glistening with hope; then ask Him to reveal the lies that are at the root. You might well be amazed - I have certainly been shown deep-down wrong beliefs that I didn't know were there; and I am sure there will be more!
These lies need to be confessed as sin, because a lie attacks the very nature and integrity of God; and then they need to be replaced with truth. We anchor truth in our hearts by declaring it over ourselves [Proverbs 12:14, 13:2].
It is a great spiritual barometer – and can be transformational if acted upon. Take time for a heart examination, and ask the Lord to show the areas of your life and circumstances which are not glistening with hope; then ask Him to reveal the lies that are at the root. You might well be amazed - I have certainly been shown deep-down wrong beliefs that I didn't know were there; and I am sure there will be more!
These lies need to be confessed as sin, because a lie attacks the very nature and integrity of God; and then they need to be replaced with truth. We anchor truth in our hearts by declaring it over ourselves [Proverbs 12:14, 13:2].
TO BRING DOWN STRONGHOLDS
Confess aloud:
The fortified towers mentioned above were breached by two main methods: gaining access to the ground floor & building a fire – a speedy method of eviction; or much more slowly, by siege – the starving out of the garrison.
The strongholds in our hearts fall similarly. Sometimes they are dealt with quickly, other times it takes patience and perseverance to ‘starve’ the enemy out. If we persist in declaring truth over ourselves, eventually our emotions also get into line.
- I have been believing that……..
- I have sinned against You because…….
- Please forgive me & cleanse me now, through the precious blood of Jesus
- I release the truth that………. Over me and my circumstances
The fortified towers mentioned above were breached by two main methods: gaining access to the ground floor & building a fire – a speedy method of eviction; or much more slowly, by siege – the starving out of the garrison.
The strongholds in our hearts fall similarly. Sometimes they are dealt with quickly, other times it takes patience and perseverance to ‘starve’ the enemy out. If we persist in declaring truth over ourselves, eventually our emotions also get into line.
NIGHT AND DAY PERSISTENCE
- In Jesus’ name I renounce the lie that…..
- I know I am forgiven through His blood shed for me.
- I release the truth that…….. over my life and circumstances.
GOOD STRONGHOLDS
If lies produce bad strongholds, truth produces good ones – the place of security and rest. We read that….
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
[Proverbs 18:10]
[Proverbs 18:10]
The Name speaks of everything that God is – His whole perfect, wonderful nature.
If we destroy the stronghold of lies which are an affront to His nature, we can take up residence in the strong tower of His love, grace and mercy, expressed in the wonderful Name of Jesus.
If we destroy the stronghold of lies which are an affront to His nature, we can take up residence in the strong tower of His love, grace and mercy, expressed in the wonderful Name of Jesus.
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