The Renewing of the MindSample

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5. casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (NKJV)

Let’s start with the word that is the focus of this entire passage, strongholds. This word in Greek is ochuróma - a fortified, military stronghold; a strong-walled fortress. This verse is the only place in the entire Bible where this Greek word is used.

Strongholds are pockets of our thinking where lies have fortified themselves with the goal of affecting the rest of our thinking in negative ways. Pastor Bill Johnson said it well, “When we believe a lie we empower the liar.”

When we believe lies by feeding our minds content that is not from God, like when we constantly complain, or when we gossip, we allow lies to slowly creep into our thinking patterns and create areas where they can fortify themselves and carry out military-like exploits to attack other areas of our thinking.

In this whole passage, the Apostle Paul uses military terminology, because if we don’t attack the strongholds in our thinking those strongholds will attack our thinking and hold us back from being transformed into the Image and Likeness of our King Jesus.

On the Cross, Christ defeated the enemy, Colossians 2:13-15, but that same enemy is a criminal and is still actively trying to kill, steal, and destroy, John 10:10. The Bible tells us in John 8:44 that the enemy is the father of lies.

These strongholds (mental military fortresses) that harbor lies in our thinking need a direct attack thrown at them.

Here is how to destroy strongholds:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify them. You can’t defeat an enemy when you don’t know where they are
• Find verses that directly confront those lies and meditate on them, declare them, and pray that those verses become real in your life
• Write down the strongholds that you want destroyed, then write down the truth and promises of God that directly combat those hindering strongholds
• Fasting and prayer. Fasting will grant you clarity and empower you to confront those strongholds, and prayer will be the vehicle to finish the job and destroy any lingering lies