(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds)”
2 Corinthians 10:4
Pulling down of strongholds is something we may not want to do yet is vital in our Christian walk. Strongholds are the walls we put up ourselves. It is known as self-preservation. So many negative words are spoken to bring us down to nothing, when in reality we are created in God’s image. Christ has led captive’s captive, and gave gifts unto men, [see Ephesians 4:8]. Did I know this when I first became a Christian? The answer is no. I was walking in a strange city and just learning about God and about God’s son Jesus. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ as is stated by John the Baptist in the Gospel according to John chapter one, verse seventeen. When I learned about Jesus being more than just a good prophet, I was stunned.
Without Christ we would not have eternal life. I cannot imagine not having a place up in heaven prepared for me [see John 14:2]. I saw hatred, bitterness, and those I love had turned on each other. I was confused, hurt, and lonely. Oppression had taken hold, and I was trying to get out of its control. I once quit a job because I could not handle constant swearing. Why would a person speak like that on the job? Something must have gotten a hold of his mind and heart to have such words come out of his mouth.
The apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians chapter ten is talking about divine authority. Paul tells us although we walk in the flesh, we are not to war after the flesh. We must remember the works of the flesh are listed in Galatians chapter five, verses 19 to 21, such as hatred, strife, envying, and drunkenness. The apostle Paul states, “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty thorough God to the pulling down of Strongholds. Mighty through God if we obey and keep our faith in Christ. Any kind of wall that is up will be torn down in the name of Jesus. Any kind of resistance, arguments, opinions, and thoughts that are against God must be cast down.
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?
2 Corinthians 10: 5-7
Anything that exalts itself is to be cast down. To cast down means to pull down, demolish and destroy anything that opposes the knowledge of God. What is important is what’s in the heart of man. We cannot be fooled by what we see on the outward appearance of man. We are to think twice if we confess that we belong to Christ. Paul stated that “we are ambassadors for Christ,” [see 2 Corinthians 5:20]. An ambassador has the highest diplomatic rank. We have been reconciled to God through his son Jesus Christ. We now have the mind of Christ, for all things belong to God. Our thoughts should be on edifying one another in Christ. We are not to compare ourselves with each other. Paul tells us it is not wise. When we compare ourselves with each other it leads to jealousy, envying, and devouring one another. We are to accept the gift that God has given to each individual in the body of Christ. Walking in the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. Listen to what Paul told the Galatians.
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Galatians 5:26
Let us not be desirous for glory, provoking one another and envying one another, for this does not profit anyone in the body of Christ. It tears down the body of Christ and weakens it to where the power of God cannot reveal the manifestation of the glory in Christ. We have a covenant with God and not with the world where Satan rules. We need to walk in the Spirit and pray for the strongholds to be brought down. Listen to what Paul told the Ephesiasn.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 6:12
Pulling down of strongholds through prayer is also pulling down principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness that we see in the world today. Every Christian must pray for the pulling down of their own walls and the walls of the wicked one who promotes Idolatry, witchcraft, fornication, and every kind of abuse that does not glory God. The Christians greatest weapon is prayer and the word of God. As we grow and read the word, we will know what the will of God is. Be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind as Paul said in Romans 12:2. Let us present ourselves to the living God and let us pray for all strongholds to cease in the name of Jesus.