Build a Mighty Fortress!

3 For although we are walking in the flesh, we do not wage war in a fleshly way, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 6 And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete. ~2 Corinthians 10:3-6

We look around us today and we see wars of all kind, most waged against those who believe as I do in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, being sent by His Father to live among us, teach us then die a horrible death, placed in a tomb and three days later raised from the dead. Spent another 40 days with us then ascended into Heaven where He sets at the right hand of the Father. Upon His ascension Christ sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in and among us as our Helper and a Power Force to use against evil. Not to defeat evil but to rescue others from it. The battles we see going on with ISIS and in the Ukraine are fleshly battles, the battles we as Christ Followers are not fleshly but battles of the spirit. Battles that we as fleshly beings can not win alone. We must use the tools and the power that Christ Jesus left us. The power of His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.

We must stand firm and unwavering in our beliefs and in our faith. We must be disciplined in our obedience to God. We can only do this if we are in constant communion with Him and with other Christians. We, alone, are not a fortress or stronghold, but together with the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word we are unstoppable! This battle of the flesh we see happening now is only academic because as a Christ follower we know who wins! Our only purpose right now is to love and save as many from the power of Satan and his evil doers from their deception and lies. Our purpose must be to be the Love of Jesus Christ that attracts those who are lost into the light.

Satan's strongholds are his attempt to push the spiritual life out of the saints of God. Satan and his demons are not derelict in their attacks, they are always on the lurch ready to declare judgement and dole out shame. Pride, addiction, self-absorption, business, apathy, sorrow are just a few of the tactics used by Satan to remove us from the fight. If we are wrapped up in life's troubles and not looking to Christ for strength and support we are giving Satan a platform on which he can, and will build a fortress of faithlessness and will hurl missiles of doubt and false convictions.

The subtle way Satan builds these strongholds in our lives start out harmless and meaningful, however if we are not careful our healthy confidence over time becomes arrogance. If we are gifted with discernment we may allow the prompting of Satan turn this into a judgemental attitude condemning those we should be loving and walking alongside of. Our discipline to work out regularly, eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle will soon become a preoccupation gripping every moment of our free time. Our desire to get ahead, to be financially secure over time becomes greed with a sense of haughtiness. Our strengths when focused properly can be a Divine stronghold that with the power of the Holy Spirit can and will defeat Satan and his plans. We must TRUST in Christ, this trust will tear down Satan's diabolical strongholds and with Christ we will build a dedicated fortress over them, removing Satan's power over our lives. Amen. <><