Insignificance is a battle of sin and wills. It’s a stronghold. But like any stronghold, it wasn’t built in a day.
A stronghold is made up of thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, actions, and/or values that oppose and contrast God’s truth.
It’s a place where we’ve allowed the enemy access into our life by believing lies rather than the Truth. When we’ve given the enemy ground in our life, he comes in, sets up camp, and builds a place of operation.
We struggle with how we see ourselves, how the world perceives us, and whether or not we matter, but we have this power and ability, through Christ Jesus, to cast down every argument and thought of insignificance that exalts itself above the truth of God.
A stronghold gives a false sense of safety. In Greek, stronghold is ochuroma meaning “anything on which one relies [...] of the arguments and reasonings by which a disputant endeavors to fortify his opinion and defend it against his opponent.”
Satan fortifies the lies, defends them as truth, and we believe them.
In Ephesians 4:27, Paul says “do not give the devil an opportunity.” This world opportunity (sometimes translated as foothold) is topos. When we give Satan an opportunity, a foothold, we give him reign–the power to act.
Even though we allow Satan access in our lives by believing his lies, we are not without hope.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and takeevery thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Over the next few days, we’ll look at how the stronghold of insignificance is built, but here’s a quick look at how strongholds are formed:
Strongholds begin in our mind with thoughts that lead to decisions,
which lead to actions then to our values,
resulting in a lifestyle change that ends in bondage.
It’s important to realize God did not design us to live in strongholds. They hold no freedom or victory. They are Satan’s ways to deceive us and keep us from becoming the person God designed us to be.
We have been created with a great purpose–to pursue and glorify God.
How have you seen strongholds built in your life?
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We’re on day 12 of a 31 day journey of significance. Won’t you join me?
{day 13} Stone upon Stone…when injustice falls
{day 14} Stone upon Stone…sin passed down
{day 15} Stone upon Stone…love withheld
{day 16} Responding to Insignificance
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The lesson I learned today from your post was the reminder it wasn’t built in a day. too often I want to see instant turnaround in my old habits with immediate results. God does do miracles but usually things take time, His time. Thanks for the gentle reminder I needed to hear.
Jean – To be honest, I didn’t really think of it that way when I wrote it, but it’s so very true! I was focused on the building takes time…I knew the deconstructing does too, but hadn’t focused on that. Thanks for sharing!
“Strongholds end…in bondage.” That’s so good—hard, but good.
I posted my 31 days post today and got nervous b/c it’s about the exact same thing as yours! So, when I saw your post (tweeted right above mine!) I was encouraged that it was a real message God wanted me to give!
Thank you!
a
ps–just left a comment and was going to clarify—
I was nervous b/c it’s such a strong topic. Not b/c it was like yours! Your post made me less nervous!
Wow, this right here is so good…you’ve left me thinking…
“Strongholds begin in our mind with thoughts that lead to decisions, which lead to actions then to our values, resulting in a lifestyle change that ends in bondage.”