By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/14/20

Living for Christ Through God’s Strength

09/10/20 – 09/15/20

Without realizing it, many Christians have allowed Satan to establish strongholds in their lives. One of the greatest hindrances to living a godly life is carnality, which can prevent us from praying and knowing the mind of God. Carnality is essentially the dominance of the old sinful nature over the new godly nature that Christ has given you. If left unattended, carnality can build power bases of self-centeredness deep within our hearts and minds.

When we study God’s Word, we quickly discover that prayer is instrumental in dissolving carnality and the desires that go with it. In fact, prayer is the primary key to uncovering and pulling down every stronghold Satan seeks to establish in the life of a believer.

In the Greek translation, the word stronghold literally means “fortress.” In other words, the enemy of our souls seeks to set up a fortress within our lives to prevent us from discovering God’s will and living for Jesus Christ. For example, worry and fear are emotions each of us has experienced. When these become obsessions, you can be sure that a stronghold has been established. Uncontrollable lust, hate, anger, and bitterness are strongholds that can lead us further from God’s will for our lives.

However, we are not without a strong defense. There is hope because we have been given a powerful weapon. Prayer equips us for spiritual victory. Therefore, we do not have to battle against an enemy greater than we are. As Paul said,

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

Our weapons are not carnal; they are not of the flesh. They are supernatural and powerful, able to tear down the dark fortresses of the enemy. Don’t hesitate to call out to your heavenly Father, who loves you with an unconditional love. In Him you will find all the power you need to overcome.

Prayer: Father, thank You that nothing can snatch me out of Your hands. I am Yours forever. Armed with this assurance, help me to break down Satan’s strongholds in my life as I surrender to Your Holy Spirit. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“They triumphed over [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11).