What is a Stronghold?

A stronghold is a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack; a place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld. Synonyms: fortress, fort, castle, citadel, garrison

Of course, we metaphorically speak as Paul did in the New Testament: 

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” -II Corinthians 10:3-4

We Can Choose Strongholds

This surprises me. I always thought strongholds were something wrong that you fall into and are unable to escape. I thought it was a sin that I was entrenched in by Satan, a restricting wall of evil, or a strong Demonic power that trapped me. However, this is only one of the options.

Too often we are acquainted with a stronghold of sin without realizing that there is a different stronghold located on the opposite side of the war.

The Battle Rages

You may be a Christian wearing your spiritual armor and have your spiritual weapons ready for battle in the service of the Lord’s army. However, the enemy has erected strongly fortified garrisons to resist the Truth and thwart God’s plans. Some of us know that we have a specific stronghold or know someone who is bound by one. Always remember that even if we have surrendered some battle to Satan and we are bound in his fortress, we can always cry out to God, and he will hear us. He will be our Deliverer!

Choose the Stronghold of God

Recently, God once again decided to do something clever for me. I had just confessed, taken authority over, and repented of a stronghold of sin in my life when I conveniently opened my Bible app. I was trying to think of what to read at a time like that. I opened up to Psalm 27 and read it. Amazing!

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” -Psalm 18:2 ESV

God is both freeing me from a stronghold of Satan as well as offering me a stronghold with Him!

Wait a minute. That’s awesome! I never thought of that before. Then I kept finding more:

“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” -Psalm 91:2

“My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.” -Psalm 144:2

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” -Nahum 1:7

I cried! It never hit me like that before. Instead of having to surrender to sin, why not dwell in the garrison of the Almighty? Instead of standing alone unprotected in a battle with evil, why not run with the side that is going to win the war?

Imagine being in a stronghold of God. You are bound to God’s love, His protection, His mercy, His Life! What is there to fear there? There are joy and salvation in trusting God! If the idea of being stuck in a fortress of God sounds contradictory to free will, it surely is not. Is it your free will to be bound to Satan? Many of us will say “no,” hopefully. Why then should we not think of it being our free will to submit to God? Being held captive by evil and submitting to the stronghold of God are each very different but free expressions of our will that we must make.

Pray With Me

Thank you, God, for being stronger than our enemies. Thank you for calling me to your side. Thank you for being Good, for Your stronghold of protection, and Your constant presence and love.

By choice, I enter into Your protection. By choice, I willingly renounce Satan and all his destructive ways. By choice, I deny the sinful pleasures of this world. By choice, I repent of sin. By choice, I enter Your presence to worship. By choice, I abide in sweet fellowship with You in Your Stronghold.

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” -Ephesians 6:14-17