“Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks. Someone has said very aptly: ‘Resist the beginnings; remedies come too late, when by long delay the evil has gained strength.’ First, a mere thought comes to mind, then strong imagination, followed by pleasure, evil delight, and consent. Thus, because he is not resisted in the beginning, Satan gains full entry. And the longer a man delays in resisting, so much the weaker does he become each day, while the strength of the enemy grows against him.” p. 46, FD

   Fiery darts can be more easily defeated when identified early on and not allowed access into our minds. But what if those fiery darts were allowed uninhibited access for whatever reason? Likely, a stronghold has been created in our thinking. That stronghold now manipulates the formation of attitudes and actions that are set against the knowledge of God!

    People in this state of mind can easily be persuaded that right is wrong and wrong and is right. Our news media is rampant with those whose attitudes and actions are set against the knowledge of God. This type of malady, in epidemic proportions, is spreading across our land.

   But there is good news. There is a remedy for strongholds. But first we must understand these strongholds exist because we failed to resist the temptations early on. Therefore, we must begin now refusing to allow fiery darts access into our minds. (Refer to the 3 steps process in fighting fiery darts page on this blog)

   If there is a stronghold in our lives, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 gives us God’s plan in how we can break free.

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5(NIV)

Here’s how it works:

   When a thought comes to mind which reinforces the stronghold, take it captive by quoting a Truth thought that contradicts it or proves it false. Eventually,the stronghold will begin weakening as you call upon God’s divine power to demolishes it. Be prepared, this may take time! Remember, that stronghold wasn’t established in a day!

  For those who are ruled by stronghold thinking, they must first acknowledge God, accepting His plan in Christ to release them. Their darkness is great and only the light of God’s Truth can dispel such darkness.

Do not quench the Spirit. 1Thessalonians 5:19 NIV