1. Let the demolition begin…

2. MOVE THAT BUS!

3. Stronghold A fortification, safe hiding place, castle with strong walls.

4. Old Testament references… Psalm 9:9 (NIV) The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 18:2 (NIV) The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 27:1 (NIV) The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 144:2 (NIV) He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

5. 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 (NIV) By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you-- I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away! [2] I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. [3] For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. [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. [6] And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

6. Spiritual Stronghold Something that has taken the place of God in our life. An arena of the mind and heart that we go to for comfort, safety, strength, meaning. Enemy stronghold is a point of safe operation for our enemy Satan by which he can keep the unbeliever captive or the believer incapacitated. For believers, a stronghold is a path of the mind and heart where we follow familiar thoughts, pretensions, and arguments seeking comfort, pleasure, safety or meaning other than God.

7. Foothold A place, opportunity, scabbard, rock for foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27 - "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. A point or place where we allow the Enemy to “get traction”. Anger that is left unresolved is a traction point for the Enemy. A foothold is an entry point; A stronghold is a fortified place of safe hiding. Every stronghold starts with a foothold.

8. Three Primary Walls  Thoughts  Pretensions  Arguments 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.

9. Thoughts a thought, a perception, a device, a disposition, a purpose of mind. To be taken captive and brought into obedience to Christ. These are specific thoughts that are disobedient to Christ. Every stronghold starts with a foothold and this begins with a thought. Proverbs 23:7 (NASB) For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

10. Pretensions high, highly; an elevated place or thing, altitude, or a barrier, high thing. Imagination, arrogant attitude, a high thought of oneself, a determination that one’s own judgment is supreme. Dictionary – pretension is laying claim to something. Pretension sets itself up against the knowledge of God. False ideas about God, false doctrine, false teaching, false reasonings; the human pride and arrogance, self- sufficiency and self-righteousness that set themselves up against God. These are to be demolished.

11. Arguments computation, reasoning, conceit, imagination, thought, speculations, Arguments set up against the knowledge of God. Defensiveness and argument. These are to be demolished.

12. How did we get here? Strongholds are built from the BOTTOM UP It starts with thoughts… – Most often “First Person” lies. Which leads to pretension… – A pathway that gives relief, comfort, temporary pleasure, limited meaning. Which are then defended by increasingly stubborn arguments. – We begin to own the lies and pretense. If the Enemy can get us to defend them by argument the hold becomes strong. We add Belief – We may actually make a public change of belief, or go online to declare the stronghold.

13. Be on watch… Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.

14. Watch out… Watch your thoughts, they become imaginations. Watch your imaginations, they become arguments. Watch your arguments, they become strongholds of the Enemy.

15. How do we get out of here? Strongholds are demolished from the TOP DOWN We demolish arguments. – They are the easiest. The Word contradicts the arguments. And every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. – These are next. When we focus on God in worship, He is lifted up. And we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – These are more difficult requiring effort and discipline.

16. Psalm 50:15 “Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you shall glorify me.”