Breaking Strongholds

Hey Chosen! I’m happy to be back with you another month. This time around I will present our discussion through a personal testimony. So brace yourselves for my transparency!

Let’s first get an understanding of what a stronghold is so it’s easier to appreciate the process of overcoming them. A Stronghold is defined as a fortified place, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It’s a compound word; if you should break it up and think about it, that should provide you with some insight. For the purpose of this discussion, a stronghold is not always a physical place but anything that holds you strongly that is not of God. Bear in mind that the thing itself may not be bad but the context in which it is affecting you is. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”. So the Bible speaks to the fact that they need to be pulled down. It goes on to say in verse 5 “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;”. So we see that our imaginations and to take it a bit further our emotions, can be strongholds if they rule us.

Photo by Travis Saylor


Friends, I have many challenges in life, as does the average person. Being a Christian, presents me with additional challenges, which I know also are not unique to me. However, one of the greatest challenges I face as a single Christian woman is sexual temptation. Yes, you read that right…I’m going there. I know this is a topic that often Christians shy away from, but why? So many single Christians face this issue. I have been celibate since becoming a Christian, but I have ventured where I shouldn’t have. Being transparent, this includes thoughts and inappropriate embraces. The few embraces were never initiated by me BUT I am still accountable for what I allow. With that said, I thought I really needed to get this thing under control before I go too far. Some people would think that it’s no big deal and I am exaggerating, but sin can be so sneaky you have to make sure you prevent any seeds from being planted. Each occasion I did something wrong, I repented, just as for any other sin. Thank God for grace!

I believe this was a stronghold for me as I found where too often my mind was wandering about what could be, taking me places I shouldn’t think of. These thoughts were a stronghold to be broken. Let me just say that it’s natural for us to have sexual feelings but the Bible provides marriage as the only context for sex. Lust of the Eyes and Lust of the Flesh which includes but not limited to sexual thoughts and acts outside of marriage are sins. I’m not going to delve into at that this time as that’s not the main discussion.
Photo by Zachary DeBottis

My strategy in breaking this stronghold was to draw closer to God to know him more and really so we could be close friends. I figure the more filled I am with God, the less space there is in me for anything else. I have always tried to pray at minimum three times a day, but I figured I needed to increase praying, which I did. I have a line of prayer that I use most times I realize my mind is going there…something like “Jesus, it’s happening again, help me suppress this feeling until I can channel it in the right direction”. It’s fine for you to laugh, I do too once I am out of it. However, sometimes just prayer is not enough. The Bible tells us in Matthew 17 that the disciples could not cure a man’s son who was possessed. And after Jesus healed him, he told them in verse 21 “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”.  I know that you may not face a situation quite like that but do not hesitate to include fasting along with prayer to increase your faith and suppress your flesh so your spirit may be fed. I did an extended period of fasting and in assessing afterwards, I realized I was so focused on God and occupied doing the important things in my life that I didn’t even have that challenge during that period. I know this doesn’t mean I won’t ever be tempted after (go read the article on temptation if you haven’t) but I feel strengthened to deal with those challenges, and sexual thoughts are no longer holding me strongly, in Jesus’ name, Amen.


I hope you were blessed by this. Please share it with a friend if you were. Let me know in what regard you would like me to pray for you and what you’d like me to write about. God bless you!
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MeMe is a Christian of the Pentecostal Apostolic denomination and is based in Kingston, Jamaica. Thoughts of a Chosen Generation will speak to young to middle age Christians, and aspiring Christians where they will get guidance for Christian living for the benefit of their spiritual and personal development. To learn more about Christianity, you may make contact using the below handle, leave a comment requesting that you be contacted or send a message using the contact form found under resources.                             
                                                               
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