(Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

(2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.| On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Stronghold -- Captive locked by deception. Living life by something that is not true.

Stronghold -- Anything in our minds that pretends to be bigger & more powerful than God.

Our prayer: I can live life by what God says is truth about me.

(John 8:44 MSG) The devil couldn’t stand the truth because there wasn’t a shred of truth in him. When the Liar speaks, he makes it up out of his lying natureand fills the world with lies.

Stronghold Symptoms
Steals focus
Cause us to feel controlled
Emotionally Drained (hopeless)
Distract from my purpose.
Robs us of the life God intended for us.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO BELIEVE
1. The devil is real.

(2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV) ... Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

(Revelation 12:7-8 NIV) Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO BELIEVE

2. The devil's goal is to destroy us. go away

(John 10:10 NLT) The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy....

3. The devil responds to authority.

(1 John 4:4 NIV) ... the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

THREE WEAPONS YOU CAN USE

1. Name of Jesus.

(Luke 10:17-19 NIV) The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

(Philippians 2:10 NIV) .... that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

THREE WEAPONS YOU CAN USE

2. Blood of Jesus.

(Revelation 12:11 NIV) They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamband by the word of their testimony; ....

THREE WEAPONS YOU CAN USE

3. Word of Jesus.

(John 8:31-32 NIV) ...Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

THREE THINGS TO DO EVERYDAY

1. Stay close to God.

(James 4:7-8 NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. ....

THREE THINGS TO DO EVERYDAY

2. Close any open doors.

(2 Corinthians 2:10-11 NIV) ....I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

(Ephesians 4:27 NIV) .... do not give the devil a foothold.

(Ephesians 5:11 NIV) Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

3. Confront the enemy in prayer.

(1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. || Stand firmagainst him, and be strong in your faith. ...