Today's reading was a HUGE reminder for me.
It teaches us about an unnamed, elderly prophet which illustrates both the power of a leader living by his convictions, and how compromise can steal away conviction. He TRIUMPHED when he stood and did right but perished when he turned back. Just so, we gain when we stand strong, but LOSE IT ALL when we slip!
STRONGHOLDS MAKE US SLIP!
Personal Strongholds are areas of our lives in which we are most vulnerable for Satan's attacks. They are areas in which Satan always seems to take advantage of us.
We all have them....Satan knows how to attack our inner tendency and capacity to sin. Satan influences the mind, the will and the emotions. He wants us to SLIP SO BAD! If we allow Satan's footholds to slip inside, they soon become a stronghold.
The unnamed prophet in 1 Kings 13:11:24 allowed Satan to slip inside and turn him away from obeying the word of the Lord. Satan was tricky and worked through another person to deceive him.
The man of God (a strong believer)ended up disobeying the word of the Lord and then ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A LION MET HIM IN THE
ROAD AND KILLED HIM.
1Kings 13:24
Satan is trying to Kill, Steal and destroy the God dreams in our hearts. Satan wants to deceive us by compromising our convictions.
How do you compromise your convictions?
Satan has a system to get you...What is your system to overcome Satan?
I would like to share a guide that will DEMOLISH the footholds before they become strongholds that lead you down the road to the big lion.
The death of your dreams...
When you demolish a stronghold, this does not mean that you will never again be TEMPTED in this area, but it does mean that Satan will not set up camp inside you to entrap you in his snares and death traps!
Strongholds come in all shapes and sizes
Gambling
pornography
bitterness
pride
greed
lust
alcohol and substance abuse
affairs with significant others
many more...
Here is a brief summary of how to demolish a STRONGHOLD. You may photocopy this summary and keep it in your bible, wallet or another convenient place for ready reference when you need it. May it be a tool of blessing
HOW TO DEMOLISH A STRONGHOLD
1. Identify the pretension that establishes itself against God.
Identify what is wrong with it.
2.Identify the ways the strongholds have become established---
through the flesh, desire, society, relationships . Read 1
John4:1-6 about the testing of the spirits.
3.Identify spiritual solutions for the warfare and not worldly
solutions. Train around some solid believers.
4. DECLARE WAR ON THE THOUGHT, PRETENSION the
POSITIONS itself against the ways of God.
a. Use thoughts from the word of God
b. Claim the mind of Christ
c.Use Spiritual Weapons read Ephesians 6:11-17 followed by
asking the power of the Spirit through prayer.
d. Boldly make the truth of the gospel CLEAR
Ephesians 6:19
e. Claim VICTORY in ADVANCE!
REMEMBER: "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4)
STAY WINNING BY
a. Loving God 1 John 5:3
b. Keeping and learning His commandments
c. being sure that you are born of God
d. Believing that Jesus is God's son
e. Believing that because God keeps you safe, the evil one cannot harm you 1 John 5:18
You must TRAIN TO BE GODLY or you will LOOSE!
1Timothy 4:7 Train yourself to be Godly, for physical training is of some value, but Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
I hope this exercise helps the temptations that sneak into your life. I will not allow the enemy to steal Gods DREAMS from me!
I pray the same for you friends
Blessings Today as you DECLARE WAR!
