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What does the Bible say about spiritual strongholds?

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TL;DR:

Spiritual strongholds are anything that opposes or is elevated above God, and we are called to tear these down and find our refuge in God alone.

what does the bible say?

A stronghold is defined as a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack or a place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld. Strongholds are designed to be a safe place. As believers in Christ, we need to make the Lord our stronghold. He is our safe place and refuge (Psalm 27:1). A spiritual stronghold is anything that opposes or elevates itself above the knowledge of God, such as arguments, thoughts, or beliefs that keep us from fully trusting in Him. The Bible teaches that we must battle these spiritual strongholds using God's divine power, not earthly weapons, relying on truth, righteousness, faith, and the Word of God (Ephesians 6:10–18). By trusting fully in God's love and power, we can destroy these barriers, allowing Christ to reign in our lives and helping others experience freedom in Him. Ultimately, Jesus has already won the victory, and our task is to walk in that victory, tearing down spiritual barriers through the weapons He has given us.

from the old testament

  • Psalm 27:1 tells us that God is our safe place and refuge. Other passages give similar sentiments. For example, Psalm 18:2 says, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Other examples include Psalms 37:39, 94:22, 144:2; Isaiah 25:4; and Nahum 1:7.
  • God spoke through the prophets about how He would destroy enemy strongholds (for example, Amos 1:7, 10, 12). He also spoke of destroying Judah’s strongholds because they had forsaken Him (Hosea 8:14). While these refer to physical strongholds, we can draw metaphorical parallels from them.

from the new testament

  • The word "strongholds" is used metaphorically only one time in the New Testament. In 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, Paul writes: "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." Spiritual strongholds are arguments, lofty opinions, and thoughts that are raised against the knowledge of God or that are held in esteem over Him. Anything that we trust in besides the Lord can become a spiritual stronghold.
  • Because strongholds are spiritual, our battle to fight them takes place in the spiritual realm and needs to be fought with spiritual weapons. Ephesians 6:10–18 affirms that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal weapons but spiritual ones that enable us to stand strong against the Devil's schemes. These are the weapons God has provided for us: "Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication" (Ephesians 6:14–18).

implications for today

There can be both carnal and demonic spiritual strongholds in our lives, families, and churches, but Christ's power enables us to be free from them. God also gives us the ability to operate in His power to help others be free from spiritual strongholds. Instead of depending on ourselves and being in bondage, we can fully place our trust in God and His love for us and make Him the only stronghold we have. Even though we will experience resistance when we begin destroying spiritual strongholds, we can remain confident that in doing this we are being used by the Lord to build His Church, and He will not allow Satan to triumph in the end (Matthew 16:18). Jesus has already won the war. Psalm 144:1–2 says:

"Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me."

In Christ, we can stand firm against spiritual forces of darkness using the weapons God has given us. Though we are in a fierce battle, we can be confident knowing that we are on the winning side.

understand

  • Spiritual strongholds are barriers such as arguments, beliefs, or thoughts that oppose or elevate themselves above the knowledge of God.
  • Spiritual strongholds ​​must be torn down with spiritual weapons—like truth, faith, and God's Word. We rely on divine power rather than earthly means.
  • God is our ultimate refuge and stronghold, and by trusting in Him, we can break free from these strongholds and help others find freedom through Christ.

reflect

  • What thoughts or beliefs in your life have you elevated above trusting fully in God?
  • How can you rely on God's power, not your own strength, to tear down spiritual strongholds in your life?
  • How can you make God your refuge and stronghold?

engage

  • How can we discern between a thought or belief that is a personal struggle and one that has become a spiritual stronghold?
  • What role does community play in helping others break free from spiritual strongholds?
  • How do different cultures or religious traditions interpret spiritual strongholds, and how can we engage in meaningful conversations about them?

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