2 Corinthians 10:3-5 We live in the world, but we do not fight in the same way the world fights. We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strongholds. We destroy people’s arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.

As we read 2 Cor. 10, there are certain words that seems important, words like weapons, strongholds, warfare. Paul is literally transporting us into the battlefield. We can hear the guns firing, cannons roaring, tanks roaming. And the reason is we are in the midst of the real battle. And this battle is looking for prisoners. This battle is in your mind, and the prisoner is you. If Satan can control your mind, Satan has you. So many times, Christians, good Christians give up their mind to Satan’s control. Some battle worry, some battle fear, some battle bitterness, some battle lust. Whenever you give up your mind to Satan, he will control you and you will live a defeated life.

I will give you 3 statements that will help you experience victory in life. The message is entitled WINNING THE BATTLE IN YOUR MIND.

First, We must engage the right enemy.

Notice 2 Cor 10 v. 3 We live in the world, but we do not fight in the same way the world fights.
To be victorious in Christian life, we must fight the right enemy and this enemy is Satan. So many times we fight the battle with the wrong facts against the wrong foe on the wrong fields. Many times we fight the battle against those who are for us instead of those who are against us. Fighting the right enemy means when somebody offended us with an unpleasant attitude or wrongdoing, we do not fight that person, instead we hate his wrong attitude which is caused by Satan’s influence in his life. We should be ready to forgive or settle the hate and consider the person precious in the sight of God whom He loves and already redeemed.

Second, We must engage the right enemy in the right environment.

Notice 2 Cor 10:4 We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strongholds.
What are strongholds? According to the dictionary, a stronghold is to harden or to make hard. This is a military term, speaks of entrenchment, a fortress, a piece of land for base of operations. A stronghold is anything that Satan can use to control your life. A stronghold is where you give ground to Satan in some areas of your life. And that ground that you’re giving him, is going to slow you down and hurt you spiritually. So many times in our Christian life, we let Satan do that to us, maybe its fear, worry, maybe its bitterness, someone hurt you and you just don’t release it and you hold on to it, and you allow Satan to build a stronghold of bitterness in your life thereby living defeated life. If we engage the right enemy, Satan, its important that we fight in the right environment which is the strongholds.

How do we live a victorious life and overcome these strongholds?

Third statement. We must engage the right enemy, at the right environment, effectively.

Notice 2 Cor. 10:4b Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strongholds.

This says that no matter what strongholds in your life, you can be victorious. Weather its fear, worry, bitterness, pornography, lust, whatever it is, you on the authority of scripture can be victorious.

3 STEPS TO PULL DOWN STRONGHOLDS

1. We must conquer the enemy
Verse 5. We destroy people’s arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God.
So we have to cast down every wrong philosophy, every barrier in our Christian life. That’s why movies, tv, music, internet are dangerous because they build up wrong philosophies. What are we suppose to do, we are to cast them down, we are to destroy them. How do we do it? Prayer. fasting, worship, and by claiming God’s word.God has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given us power, love & a sound mind. He loves me so there is nothing to fear. Sound mind, I can trust him no matter how great opposition may be. By the blood of Christ, we can tear down stronghold.

2. We must control the enemy
Verse 5. We destroy people’s arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God.
We need to cast down every wrong philosophy that challenges or confronts the knowledge of God. You destroy error with truth and one of the ways we won the battle in our minds is to fill our minds with truth. We need to fill our minds with Godly thoughts. Romans 8:6 For the carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. So many times we filled our minds with movies and tv, and music, internet. That’s garbage, we need to pull down strongholds. Colossians 6:2 Set your affections on things above not on things on the earth.
Can you get air out of the glass, the answer is yes, by filling the glass with water. Can you get your mind cleansed from filth the answer is yes. By filling your mind with God’s word. Philippians 4:8 Finally brethren, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable, right and pure, beautiful and respected.

3. We must captivate the enemy

Verse 5b. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.
If you want to be victorious, take captive of your thoughts. When a thought comes in, you have to screen, wait a minute, is this true? Is this what god says or is this a lie.

CONCLUSION

On the authority of Gods word, you can be victorious, you should be victorious. Paul looked at these Corinthian believers and he saw them having these strongholds. He said, wait a minute, you have supernatural powers, you have the word of God to pull down these strongholds. And when you win the battle, and live a holy life pleasing to God, certainly God will grant that full blessing and power. A mark of genuine revival!