In this article, I would like for us to take a look at the power and wisdom behind building positive strongholds! It is my prayer that this would be the foundation for your journey.
There are several words in the Hebrew language and one word in the Greek language that translates the word "stronghold". Let us take a look at them…
Hebrew words:
Bitstsaron; Mibtsar: – cut off or fenced place.
Maoz: – a strong place or stronghold.
Matsor; Metsurah: – bulwark.
Metsad; Metsudad: – a fortress.
Ophel: – high place.
Sela: – rock or cliff.
Greek word:
Ochuroma
Here is how this Greek word is used in the New Testament!
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 “Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
This word Ochuroma is found in verse 4 and carries the idea of apostolic mentality breaking down previous mentalities that were set up in opposition to Kingdom advance. From this passage of Scripture, we understand the following:- Effective warfare is not done in the natural, nor with natural means, (verses 3–4)
- That strongholds are any set of principles that dictate or govern life (homes, churches, cities or nations). Any principle that dictates or governs life’s value is a principality. (Verse 5)
- You cannot destroy a prevailing stronghold without first establishing another stronghold, (verse 3, the knowledge of God is the other stronghold that is established).
- We must be obedient to the voice of the Spirit at this level of warfare. (Verse 6)
However, we need to understand that Positive Strongholds are built one stone at a time, with deliberate action. In the case of “negative or demonic strongholds”, these can only be destroyed by knowledge, obedience and power that derive from God.
All opinions are correct but not necessarily true, and a passive or ignorant people can destroy or impede the forward thrust of any Kingdom advance; for example Matthew 13:53–58 Jesus at Nazareth, His hometown.
“Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. 54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” 57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
These people represented the “passive and ignorant” a people without any vision or faith.
Let us look at another example of this:
Principles from David’s life as he was being established king over the whole of Israel – 2 Samuel 5:6–10
“And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.” 7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). 8 Now David said on that day, “Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul), he shall be chief and captain.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” 9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. 10 So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.”
The “lame and the blind”—these represent the passive and the ignorant, people that will not enter into that which the Lord wants. In order to effectively build what God wants we must have hatred and dislike for those kinds of spirits and stop them at all cost. David then establishes himself in the “stronghold” (demonic spirits and principalities always dwell in the “strongholds” Ephesians 6:12) and effectively builds unto the Lord.
However, as we seek to build up these positive strongholds one of the things that we absolutely need is Faith and Patience. Let us take a brief look at the following:
Hebrews 6:12-15 “That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”
- Faith works with a partner – Patience!
- Patience - The ability to remain steadfast, to continue pressing on and pressing in with a calm assurance and a bold confidence, regardless of the adversity or the length of time that has transpired, knowing that what God has said will surely come to pass.
- It is the Greek word “makrothumia” and is rendered - to be long-winded or long-spirited; having fortitude; longsuffering; with long enduring temper.
- Faith and patience are the actual instruments through which the promises of God are received for our lives!
- They work together - It takes a man and a woman to produce a child. The sperm and the egg produce new life; they go together.
- Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is now" - faith sees the end from the beginning…
- Because faith is now, if from the moment a woman conceives the child until it's birth would be a matter of seconds instead of months, and that could be disastrous!
- Think of the contortions that woman's body would go through stretching - chemical changes. It would devastate her physically, mentally and emotionally. It would be impossible for her to adjust to all the phenomenal changes so suddenly.
- In spiritual terms, that is exactly what would happen if the dream or vision God put in our heart manifested instantly. We would be unprepared to carry it forth.
- James 1:3-4 "Knowing this, that the trying of our faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
- Patience brings God's perfect timing into the picture. Without patience there is no "Due Season". Due Season means exactly the right time, both for us, and the full manifestation of our dream.
- Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
- God knows:
- We need time to adjust to all the changes in our lives that are products of fulfilling our vision.
- We must build up our muscle of faith: it is the sustaining force of our life.
- It brings forth perfection and maturity into our lives.
- Fulfilling our dreams and God's purpose for our lives will require us to make adjustments!
- Wrong attitudes must be discarded - God will work on our actions and reactions.
- We will be required to stretch in ways we never thought possible.
- Our motives will be challenged.
- What can we do now? Patience is not passive!
- Begin now to make preparations for what God has told you to do.
- It will take the blessing and anointing of God and a lot of hard work
- At the very core of God's being is faithfulness - what God has promised - He will perform - He will do what He promised.
As we continue to believe the Lord for the ongoing, move of His Spirit in this territory, let us hold fast our profession of Faith, patiently, to the very fulfilling of every purpose the Lord has purposed for us.
And as you sense an initial breakthrough from the Lord, I strongly would like to encourage you by the Grace and Spirit of the Lord to continue building effective and positive strongholds. Do this as we continue to press forward in establishing more of God’s Kingdom in this territory. If these mentalities do not exist, we can find ourselves doing like Achan who sinned and hid it and almost destroyed his brethren – read Joshua 7! Or the children of Israel upon their exit from Egypt when they took their wealth and made it their god, you can read about it in Exodus 32.
