Thoughts for Life: #75 Recognizing the Enemy's Strongholds

C. Peter Wagner: How does Satan, or the territorial spirits he assigns to nations, achieve control?

Gwen Shaw, who has long been recognized as a leading
strategic-level intercessor, says..

"The ruling spirits have no authority to move into an
area without permission. Certain conditions give them
authority to set up the base of their kingdom from whence
they rule over the people in that area." [Redeeming the
Land]

These conditions are frequently referred to as strongholds."
George Otis, Jr., describes strongholds as "nothing less than satanic command and control centers."

Cindy Jacobs argues that the "legal entrances which have allowed Satan to establish the strongholds in the first place" can be seen as the "gates of the city."

She points out that in biblical times city gates were "symbols of authority," places where the elders sat to discuss the welfare of the city. [Possessing the Gates]

Those who are active in ministries of ground-level spiritual warfare know that frequently demons find entrance points into individuals through trauma, sexual abuse, abortion, curses, substance addiction, the occult or any number of other footholds.

In many cases, inner healing is necessary for effective deliverance. Charles Kraft says that many people give Satan grounds by..

"hanging onto such emotions as bitterness, unforgiveness,
desire for revenge, fear, and the like."

He goes on to add,..

"I believe that there is no problem that a person has with
an evil spirit that is not tied to some inner problem."
[Christianity with Power]

I have heard Kraft say several times that demons are like rats that feed on garbage. Remove the garbage and the rats are relatively easy to kick out!

A similar phenomenon frequently prevails in strategic-level spiritual warfare. Nations as a whole can harbor "garbage' that needs to cleaned up before principalities and powers can be weakened.

It is quite possible, for example, that the shameful way early American settlers treated many American Indians has provided a number of significant historical strongholds for the demonic forces presently at work attempting to tear American society apart.

This may be one of the reasons who demonic activity is commonly found to be especially powerful in and around some Indian burial grounds.

Gwen Shaw lists 14 such national or city strongholds that have turned up with some regularity in her years of ministry on strategic-level intercession.

They include idolatry; pagan temples; shedding of innocent blood such as through murder, abortion or war; witchcraft; mind control; removal of prayer from schools; sexual perversion; substance abuse; fighting and hatred; occult objects; questionable toys; perverted media; relationships and uncontrolled emotions. [Redeeming the Land]

The list could be extended almost ad infinitum, but this suffices as a representative sample of national strongholds that may need to be dealt with before certain territorial spirits can be conquered.

(Google image and emphasis added)

Warfare Prayer

#75 Recognizing the Enemy's Strongholds

By C. Peter Wagner

(pg. 129 - 130) Regal Books

Father,
May I be open to what needs to be done in order
that others can be freed from demonic strongholds.
I see now, that In many cases, inner healing
is necessary for effective deliverance.
Give us insight and understanding for effective
ministering. Let the Mind of Christ be strong
in those of us who deal with folks who
are at times controlled by demon activity.
I ask this in the mighty Name of Jesus.
Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 5:12 "For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous: with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield."

Today’s quote: S. D. Gordon - "The greatest thing any one can do for God and for man is to pray. It is not the only thing. But it is the chief thing. A correct balancing of the possible powers one may exert puts it first. For if a man is to pray right he must first be right in his motives and life. And if a man be right, and put the practice of praying in its right place, then his serving and giving and speaking will be fairly fragrant with the presence of God." (Taken from Gordon's book: Quiet Talks on Prayer, pg.11)

Some thoughts today: We are the Body of Christ with different gifts, talents, and functions. (Eph. 4:15, 16; 1 Cor. 12:12) We have various measures of faith suited to accomplish the tasks God has for us.

- We need one another, as not everyone can prophecy, teach, preach, work in helps, organize activities, encourage others, and show extra compassion and mercy. We have different callings, as to what the Lord wants us to do as individuals.

-Walk in who you are. Giftings are not for our benefit, but for others. Grow in your strengths. Focus on your strengths.

7/2nd- Thursday’s post: #76 Remitting Sin
C. Peter Wagner
4th- Saturday's post: Break Through
Lisa Buffaloe
5th- Sunday evening's post: Calming the Storm
Marvin Williams
7th- Tuesday's post: #77 Argentina and Australia
C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: #4 Occult -level Spiritual Warfare C. Peter Wagner continues with
his teaching on demonic power: "It seems evident that we see a kind of demonic power at work through shamans, New Age channelers, occult practitioners, witches and warlocks,.."

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