We know what a stronghold of the enemy looks like from my last post.
Event - Lie - Defense - Response - Event.
A troubling event happens, then we believe the enemy's lie about that event so we build a defense mechanism such as anger or rejection. Then when we use that defense we have built and it triggers another event, which just gives strength to the lie. And the whole things starts over again and turns into a vicious cycle.
Once we confront the truth about that event, expose the lie, destroy our defense, and let God heal us, we have the opportunity to put in a stronghold of a different kind. A stronghold of truth. We see this often in deliverance and inner healing by praying what is normally called a prayer of replacement. If someone struggled with rage, we pray for peace. Struggle with lust and we pray for right relationship with your wife and purity.
A stronghold has often been defined as a lie that has a "strong hold" on your mind. So a truth stronghold would be a truth that has a "strong hold" on your mind. How does one arrive there? How do we recognize a truth and let it sink in?
I think the process looks like this.....
Word - Meditate - Revelation - Relationship - Word
You get a word (this can come by a prophetic word, by preaching, by reading, etc). Lets say you read a scripture on love and you want more love for other Christians in your life. So you take this word and you meditate on it. That means you read it again and again. You think about it all day. You write it on your hand. You repent of where you have failed in this area, if it is appropriate. You read it morning and night (and keep in mind this can be a number of scriptures about love, not just one.). You pray about it, and ask God to give you a revelation, because that is the next step.
Matt. 13:1-23 has an excellent example. It talks about a sower sowing seed. Most people say that the sower is Jesus and the seed is salvation. This has some truth to it, but is incorrect in its scope. The Sower is the Holy Spirit, and the seed is the word. Christ makes this plain. The Holy Spirit is not just sowing a word of salvation, but He can sow a word about finances, family, freedom, etc. Christ then says once you get a word that you need to understand it, then you must bury it deep in you because that word will be challenged, then you must hang onto that word regardless of your situation. THE ONLY WAY TO DO THIS IS TO HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVE YOU A REVELATION OF THIS WORD!!!
It is not through memorizing it or how many times you recite it. The Holy Spirit illuminates "love" in your heart and when that happens you receive an anointing for greater love. You understand it properly, its now buried inside you, and there is a power to it to help you resist the enemy in this area of your life.
Once you have that revelation it moves you into greater fellowship with the Lord. You are thankful for more of His Spirit in your life. You spend more time with Him in prayer, worship, fasting, and.....in His word. Hearing and reading what God has said.........and then the whole thing starts over again.
Sometimes you get a revelation instantly. Don't let that be an excuse to skip meditating on that revelation or you will miss a great opportunity for intimate fellowship with God.
Get words from the Lord before a situation arises. Take a honest inventory of yourself. How do I stack up to the fruit of the Spirit? Where can I use more of God in my life? Or, just simply ask Him "Father, where do you want to be in my life that I haven't allowed you to be before?" Listen for a word from Him, meditate on that revelation, and let it draw you into greater relationship and fellowship with your creator.
Grow in God and in truth. Receive His word with thankfulness, and honor it.
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