TYPES OF STRONGHOLDS

 

These are some examples of strongholds (on the top) and the related thoughts and feelings that are often produced by demonic oppression to sustain them. This is only a partial list. The related areas may be similar for certain strongholds, so careful and sensitive discernment is needed to know what the stronghold is. 

 

 

BITTERNESS

Resentment

Hate

Unforgiveness

Anger

Violence

Revenge    

 

HEAVINESS

Depression

Despair

Self-pity

Loneliness

Addictions

Suicide    

 

INSECURITY

Inferiority

Inadequacy

Timidity

Shyness/Withdrawal

Pleasing people, not God

Lack of trust/worry

Wrong relationships    

 

CONTROL

Manipulation

Striving

Lack of trust

Worry

Insensitivity

Desire for recognition       

 

JEALOUSY

Spitefulness

Gossip/slander

Betrayal

Critical spirit

Judgmental

Suspicious nature    

 

IDOLATRY (ISAIAH 44)

Frustration

Hopelessness

Selfishness/Greed

Financial problems

Wrong goals/Decisions

Confusion/Living a lie

Pursuing dead ends

Spiritual blindness/Apathy

Distractions    

 

REBELLION

Self-will

Stubbornness

Strife

Factions

Divisions

Anger/Arguments

Independent spirit

Unteachable    

 

PRIDE

Vanity

Self-righteousness

Self-centered

Insensitivity

Materialism

Unteachable

Seeks positions       

 

SEXUAL IMPURITY

Lust

Seductiveness

Masturbation

Fornication

Adultery

Frigidity

Homosexuality

Pornography    

 

REJECTION

Addictions

Compulsions

Seeking acceptance

Unworthiness

Withdrawal

 

DECEIT

Lying

Fantasies

Delusions

Rationalizing

Wrong Doctrine

Misuse of Scripture    

 

FEAR

Phobias

Compulsions

Perfectionism

Failure

Inability to set goals

     

    

 

 

Overcoming Anger

 

Anger is yet another stronghold that we need, with God’s help, to pull down. One dictionary defines anger this way: “A violent passion of the mind excited by a real or supposed injury; usually accompanied with a propensity to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party.” Don’t you think it’s interesting that the term isn’t defined as a violent passion of the heart? Anger is a passion of the mind. It comes from injury, whether real or supposed and the battle is waged in our minds.

 

Injury is not just a physical injury. People can be emotionally injured as well. They can feel that God didn’t do what they wanted Him to do or what He said He would do. Consequently, they feel a degree of injury and the resulting anger.

Many people are angry with God for what He allowed to happen or what they feel He did to them. Grief is grief and pain is pain. It’s real. But, I have to say that when you’ve suffered the kind of pain my family has felt—massive, earth-shattering pain—you have a decision to make. You are either going to trust the goodness and sovereignty of God in the midst of all of that, or you’ll choose to be angry and bitter.

We have a choice to make.  

 

There is such a thing as “righteous anger.” Paul writes in Ephesians 4:26–27, ““Be angry, and do not sin”:do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” There is a way to be angry and not sin. We see it in Jesus’ life. Clearly He was angry at the Pharisees and the moneychangers. He turned over tables and cracked a whip to make His point. Jesus was sinless and therefore we know his anger wasn’t sin.

 

Here’s the important thing we must remember: Jesus anger was at the offense, not the offender. He was angry at the sin the people were committing, not the people. That’s the major difference between righteous anger and sinful anger.

Righteous anger is also settled and isn’t carried over. The sun doesn’t go down on righteous anger. It’s settled and over.

 

When is anger sin?

 

When it is excited without any sufficient cause—when we are in no danger, and do not need it for a protection. We should be safe without it (quick tempered, short, unnecessary). 

 

When it transcends the cause, if any cause really exists. All that is beyond the necessity of immediate self-protection, is apart from its design, and is wrong (over reacting, excessive compared to offense) 

 

When it is against “the person” rather than the “offense.” The object is not to injure another; it is to protect ourselves. 

 

When it is attended with the desire of “revenge.” That is always wrong; (Romans 12:17, Romans 12:19; punishment or payback). 

 

When it is cherished and heightened by reflection (stewing, brewing and rehearsing the offense). 

 

When there is an unforgiving spirit; a determination to exact the utmost satisfaction for the injury which has been done (merciless, unforgiving and un-redemptive)

 

Anger is either righteous or sinful—based on the degree of anger, the object of our anger, or the desire in the midst of our heart when we’re angry. That’s what determines whether it’s righteous or sinful.

 

With what do we replace our anger? Ephesians 4:32 tells us, Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. 

 

Below is a prayer we call “PreScripture Prayers.” These are passages of Scripture that have to do with exactly what we’re talking about.

 

Maybe God has been speaking to you about anger and you know you need to deal with it. You can prayer this PreScripture pray anytime you feel the enemy is trying to push you into anger. Take it captive with God’s Word and prayer:

 

 

Anger PreScripture Prayer

 

Father, thank You for being merciful, gracious, and slow to anger. Thank You for abounding in goodness and truth, and keeping mercy for thousands and for forgiving my iniquity, transgression and sin. Exodus 34:6-7

 

Thank You for forgetting my sins and lawless deeds and remembering them no more. Thank You for not being angry with me. Hebrews 8:12

 

Because you have forgiven my past completely, blessed my present abundantly and guaranteed my future extravagantly, I no longer need to live an angry, bitter life.

 

I repent of and renounce marinating in negativity, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice. Ephesians 4:26, 31

 

I repent of making a place for the devil to work in and through me that has caused me to hurt others. Ephesians 4:27

 

I repent of wanting vengeance against the people who have injured me and forgetting that vengeance is Yours alone. Romans 12:19

 

I receive Your forgiveness and cleansing right now. 1 John 1:9

 

Today, I renounce Satan and all of his angry, destructive ways.

 

I will no longer walk in angry foolishness. Proverbs 14:17

 

I will no longer stir up strife. Proverbs15:18

 

I will rule my spirit and therefore no longer be vulnerable to the enemies attacks. Proverbs 25:28

 

Right now, in the Name of Jesus and by His authority, I tear down the stronghold of sinful anger over my life. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

 

I choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and allow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control to rule my life. Galatians 5:22-23

 

Father, I will give to others what You have given me—mercy, grace, kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness. Psalm 103:8, Ephesians 4:32

 

In Jesus Name, Amen!