Satan's Strongholds: Besetting Sin

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Hebrews 12:1, II Corinthians 10:3-5

Introduction

What are some besetting sins in your life? What sins have weighed you down and damaged your walk with God? The Bible gives these another name as well: strongholds. What is a stronghold? A stronghold is any sin that repetitively comes between you and your service to God.

I. How do we recognize strongholds?

A. Most likely, you already know of a few.

1. The first step in fixing a problem is to admit that you have one.
2. Strongholds will produce nothing but spiritual damage.

B. Recognize Satan’s presence by the fruits.

1. Matthew 12:33-35

II. What are some examples (and their effects) of strongholds?

A. Galatians 6:19-21

1. Sexual sin
a) Damages marriages, households, yourself, etc.
b) It is the result of believing that God cannot satisfy your needs both physically and emotionally.
c) One of the most prevalent hidden sins
d) Gen. 39:6-12—Joseph is tested.
2. Apathy
a) Apathy is no doubt responsible for thousands, millions even, of spiritual deaths in the world.
b) How many more people could be reached if we cared?
c) “Don’t Bother Me”
3. Lack of Prayer
a) Prayer is one of the most important and neglected aspects of a Christian’s life.
b) Many of us act as if we don’t really believe that prayer accomplishes anything.
(1) Psalm 145:17-19
(2) Gen. 24:11-15

III. How do we tear down spiritual strongholds?

A. By first realizing that we cannot do it on our own.

1. Satan is much smarter than we are, and we are fools to think we can outsmart him on our own.
2. Proverbs. 3:5-6

B. “Bringing into captivity every thought…”

1. You must learn to control your thoughts.
2. Once we constantly have our minds on Christ and his will, we can rest assured that those thoughts will be expressed.
3. This is a change that must occur from the inside out.
4. You must treat strongholds as you would any other sin…deny it the opportunity to become temptation.

Conclusion

Strongholds can render you useless to Christ if you let them. They will drag you away from God and down the wrong path. Give them over to God today, and experience freedom!
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