The apostle, Paul, had a passion to see people embrace the reality of the richness of a relationship with God and live in the freedom of God. In Ephesians 1:17-19 he, therefore, prayed a special prayer for those placing faith in the LORD. He asked that:
God give you wisdom, insight and discernment
You be enlightened and know God intimately
You have hope and know what God is calling you to do
You grasp hold of His glorious way of life
You be strengthened by God’s power
This is a great prayer for you to pray! Behind this prayer was an awareness of obstacles preventing believers from truly experiencing the richness of God’s glory. These obstacles bind people in constraint. They restrain or hold people back from breaking through and walking victoriously. Paul referred to these obstacles as strongholds. While many kinds of constraints are external in nature, others are spiritual and require engaging in a process of spiritual warfare to overcome them.
RELEVANCE
Strongholds represent thought patterns, philosophies and systems in which, consciously or subconsciously, we place greater trust in than God. They typically encompass partial truths, but in reality, are founded on falsehoods. Strongholds typically have their origin in cultural, political and religious norms. They usually enter our life through external sources like our family, culture or environment. They become an integral part of our mindset. They become controlling influences that constrain us. They restrain our freedom and growth.
Overcoming strongholds requires the grace of discernment and being honest with self. It takes courage to see where falsehoods have taken root and influenced our life. It takes faith to overcome external intimidation, pressures and fear. It takes bringing those thoughts that are contrary to God’s word and character into compliance and alignment with His Kingdom way and His truths—which will set us free!
REFLECT AND RELATE
Looking at your past and present life’s circumstances, what patterns can you see?
What factors have consistently influenced or controlled you, limiting your freedom?
REFERENCES
Colossians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6