The Stronghold
Part of Summer Heat
September 10, 2023

The Stronghold.
- It is something that has a strong hold on your mind, or your life.
- A place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.
- A place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended.

-Strongholds can either set you back or set you up.

Prov 18:19 ESV
A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city.

Proverbs 18:11 ESV
11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.

What in our lives gives us a false sense of security?

-Strongholds can set you up.

Matthew 7:24 ESV
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Proverbs 18:10- ESV
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Strongholds are not like temporary camps; fortifications are intended to stand from generation to generation.

Jeremiah 1:5-10 ESV
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,(He knows us) and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.”

9 Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow to build and to plant.”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

What we do with the strongholds in our minds?
1. We pluck them up.
2. We break them down- pull them down.
3. Destroy it.
4. Overthrow it.
5. Build.
6. Plant.

Discussion Questions.
- How do strongholds begin to take root in our lives?

  • Strongholds can either set you back or set you up. How is this true, and how has this been true in your life?

  • Describe an area in your life that you have looked to, to give you a sense of security? How can you begin to allow God to be your source of strength and not the thing that you are looking to?

  • Read Proverbs 18:10. How does Gods Name(s) bring us safety and security?

  • What are some truths of God that you can begin to build your life on?

  • Read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. What is one argument, opinion, or idea that God is asking you to tear down in your life? How can you begin to take some steps to do this?