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 this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Strongholds begin in our thoughts. Rather than agreeing with the truth of God’s Word, we believe lies and the enemy prowls around seeking to use those lies against us. He distorts the truth and plants seeds of destruction in our thoughts, and eventually a stronghold develops in our mind. Paul addresses the battlefield of our minds and tells us to take our thoughts captive, making them obedient to Christ. The enemy doesn’t play fair. He knows if he can get us to agree with his lies, then we are on our way to deception and he can get us to act on our deceived thoughts. Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. Our weapons are prayer, the Word of God, and the power of His Holy Spirit. These spiritual weapons have the power to demolish strongholds. What must be demolished is any argument, any pretension in our lives that has set itself up against God.

What arguments have you entertained that have persuaded you to turn from God? What pretensions have drawn you from a relationship with Him?

God’s Word tells us to check out our “thought life” and seek to have the mind of Christ. Be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to examine your thoughts and line them up with God’s Word.

Heavenly Father, My mind has been filled with things that have drawn me away from You. I take my thoughts captive and ask that You give me the mind of Christ. Pull down the strongholds in my mind, so that I might walk in Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen