“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” – II Corinthians 10:3-4

We have often said: first the thought, then the act, then the habit, then the character, and finally, the destiny. I would like to offer something a little different for this lesson: thought, contemplation, attitude, action, and stronghold.

Stronghold: Greek – ochuroma, a stronghold or fortress. In this case it speaks of those things in which we place our confidence, or even those things forced upon us.

Weapon: Greek – hoplon, armor, instrument. The hoplon was an offensive weapon of war as in Romans 13:12, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” The word armour is hoplon.

Warfare: Greek – strateia, (strategy) a military word, such as a soldier serving to contend with the enemy. Paul told Timothy to war a good (not carnal) warfare.

Mighty: Greek – duiantaos is to be powerful and capable.

Carnal: Greek – sarkikos, which is bodily, temporal, fleshy, etc.

How can we overcome these strongholds of Satan?

1. Accept the fact that our warfare is with Satan.

Confession and repentance of sin alone will not give deliverance because there must be an acknowledgment that our warfare is with Satan. Notice in verse 4, “mighty through God.”

Look at Joshua 6:20 when he tore down the wall, “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” 

See Isaiah 30:25, “And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.” 

It is useless to rely on the flesh or the world, verses 1-14. Then they go to the Lord verses 15-26, “in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”

2. Acknowledge the need to call upon God for help

Learn this truth: God is not disappointed in us, nor does He get discouraged, but He will discipline us when necessary. 

Notice how God slew 185,000 by the Angel of the Lord in Isaiah 37:36, “Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.”

  • Accept God’s help to overcome Satan.
  • Accept God’s help to overcome the flesh.
  • Accept God’s help to overcome the world.

3. Admit where it all started

Go back to where you were first tempted to sin; remember, it started with the thought and led to the stronghold.

4. Attack and overcome Satan’s stronghold

How did Joshua and his people overcome Satan’s strongholds? 

  • By prayer
  • By the power of God

How can we overcome Satan’s strongholds?

  • Flee to the Word of God.
  • Get close to Jesus.
  • Go to God in prayer.
  • Claim the blood of Christ.
  • Go by faith.
  • Be vigilant.

“Casting down imaginations”—Just like Joshua, Gideon, and David.

Allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to give us power to defeat Satan and his work. The power we need to conquer Satan’s strongholds is available to every believer; therefore, we must saturate our lives with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ because Satan’s strongholds can become our Saviour’s strength. 

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Hans Nikoley, GSBC Staff

Bro. Nikoley emigrated from Germany to the United States with his family at age 13. He served full time in the Nevada Air National Guard for six years. At age 32, He was saved, and in 1977, he graduated from Bible College. He pastored for over 31 years, 27 of them at Pomerado Road Baptist Church in Poway, California. Bro. Nikoley has served at Golden State Baptist College in the Bible Department and also as the Student Employment Director since 2007. He and his wife Mary have two children and have been married for 58 years.