“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Strongholds are fortresses where Satan’s demonic hoards set up their residence and attach themselves to your life in a very personal way; the weaker the believer the easier the enemy’s     job and the more secure his stronghold. Weak believers are abundant in our churches today. Ultimately, if a significant enough number of weak believers become entrenched in a congregation the entire fold may very well become an encampment for the enemy.

Paul the apostle, knew how to fight those strongholds and it wasn’t through the use of carnal weaponry. In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul gives us a list of the spiritual weapons to be used as we stand against the enemy the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. It’s a war we’re in and these are our weapons for battle. God knows exactly what we need to fight this war and how to arm His soldiers (believers).

Weak believers might try to use persuasive words as a weapon, or manipulation, even portraying an image of success as their spiritual weapon. These are not weapons with which to fight a spiritual battle, these are weapons of political diplomacy where compromise and making concessions to the enemy is championed.

Using the perception of power and human schemes and programs to set up feeble attempts to stifle or dispose of the enemy strongholds is a recipe for failure. Strong, capable believers are those who probe deep into their Bibles and search and learn the Scriptures and take heed of those scriptures. These are the folks which give Satan his most fierce opposition.

“Our spiritual weapons are scorned by the world, but feared by demonic powers. When we fight with truth, righteousness, evangelism, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer, no principality or power can stand against us.” —John Trapp

The believer’s enemy has little opportunity for building strongholds when we are fitted for battle with God’s weaponry. He’s forced to stand by and watch or flee as believers roll out the heavy artillery belonging to the Lord. It frustrates the enemy when believers are so well equipped. No matter what Satan throws at us, if we are strong in our faith and secure in our biblical knowledge the minions of evil will always retreat.

Congregations need strong, committed believers in their midst. When more believers submit to Jesus’ authority and His precepts wholeheartedly each Christian fold flourishes. New believers need to be equipped in this battle from the start of their conversion. We must remember that conversion is only the beginning, too many treat it like it’s the end, and that once they become believers that’s good enough.

Many congregations today are overly focused on new membership, adding noses add billfolds to the fold. But neglecting a regime of teaching new converts will undoubtedly compel the enemy to increase his strongholds.

Pastors especially need to rally the troops and lead in the battle to proclaim God’s Word and adhere to it completely. If we aren’t really following Jesus wholeheartedly then we aren’t empowered thoroughly. What does it mean to follow Jesus wholeheartedly?

Everything Jesus taught becomes our way of life. We don’t argue with our Savior. His way is the only way. Partial or a less than total commitment just won’t do for fending off the enemy or for eliminating his strongholds.

Weak, uncommitted believers damage the folds ability to stand against the wiles of the devil. They are a drain, if you will, on the whole congregation. Basically, what we need to see in the Body of Christ is the same thing we see in our national sports teams, “total commitment.”

A sports team works together to accomplish their goal, and are successful only as a team. If one person is carrying all the weight on their shoulders, that team will ultimately fail. In the Believers case it’s a thorough and complete commitment to the cause of Christ.

All believers are in the game and carry the same weight. If some, or in the case of many congregations today most, allow others to carry all the weight the Christian Church weakens. Certainly we see this all around America, the true Body of Christ is diminishing.

Enemy-built strongholds thrive in weak congregations. Weak congregations are those consisting of people who are uneducated in the truth of the Bible. They attend church services every week but seldom, if ever. pick up their Bibles during their away-from-church time.

There are 168 hours in a week, and the vast majority of Christians only devote one hour a week to God Almighty. That leaves 167 hours to weaken and get into mischief. I know what many of you will say “Some devote two or three hours per week and more to church and to study.”

Most people these days place studying God’s Word at the bottom of their priority scale. Let’s be honest, if we aren’t interested in learning what God says in His word, if we place more interest and devotion in worldly pursuits, then how will we ever fend off the advances of the enemy? It just isn’t going to happen.

Unpopular as this subject may be, it’s the most important focus believers must concentrate on as they adhere themselves to God’s will. Building our walls of protection through the word of God is imperative. It won’t happen through a single hour in Church on Sunday mornings.

God’s power to overcome the enemy’s advances in our lives is only accessed through our faith in Him and our fervent prayers and Bible study. Understand, my brethren, our commitment to Jesus really means we will not deviate from His plan.

We will not let anything come between us and our devotion to Him. Then, and only then, will we be a part of the winning team. Believers know that, as the Body of Christ, we are on the winning team which means no matter who promotes a different gospel it won’t affect us because we’re able to differentiate the truth from a lie. As biblically knowledgeable believers we will only adhere to the truth. But be careful my brethren “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

Jesus tells us to be watchful of deception: “And He said, Take heed that ye be not deceived…” (Luke 21:8)

Deception comes in many forms, such as smooth talkers, deceptive practices, blatant liars, even well meaning but misinformed pastors can lead to deception. Satan has designed some deceptions for the intent of specifically corrupting the saints.

“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:5)

Jesus gave His disciples many specific warnings about the deceptions to come. Many would come in His name saying they are the Christ; history has proved that prophecy correct. Many have been led astray by these false Christ’s, having fallen for that great deception. We, as His followers, are admonished by Him that deceptive people abound, ready to lead us down that slippery slope to destruction.

Believers won’t fall for that deception if we are strong in our faith and utilizing God’s awesome power in our lives. But if we’ve allowed the enemy in to build his strongholds then the result is a flood of deception. Remember the deceptions are many and most of the time they are thrown in with a bit of truth, just enough mind you to sound biblical to the uninformed ear.

It is very difficult to eliminate the enemy’s strongholds from within the Body of Christ; it doesn’t take much to weaken believers today. The Body of Christ is constantly being attacked and weakened. When the church allows evil to permeate its fold, it permits the infusion of evil intent which is bent upon destroying the Body itself, and the cause of Christ suffers greatly.

More and more this is happening around the world because Christians aren’t standing on God’s precepts. Either they don’t know the truth, or they don’t believe God’s Word. They don’t take the Scriptures seriously, consequently they put no stock in the warning from Jesus Himself and more strongholds are erected in favor of the enemy.

Just take a look at how the contemplative/emergent/purpose driven agenda has infiltrated the Church. Their main purpose is to separate the fold from the truth of God’s Word. Hence, the weakening goes forward and another of the enemy’s strongholds is erected.

Carnal thinking, when attributed to the believer, is a true stronghold where the enemy lavishes and basks in his lair. He laughs at the believer. The enemy has nothing but contempt for all people, but even more so for believers. He knows by a believer’s carnal thinking that he has him, and in some cases entire congregations, exactly where he wants them.

Believers remain basically useless for the kingdom of God while the enemy’s strongholds become more and more fortified. Instead of God’s word being the whole truth, other avenues (mans precepts) are pursued in an attempt to gain a higher sense of spirituality. This is a satanic stronghold perpetuated by deceived individuals and packaged and sold to the church today. Example: Many believers accept the lie of evolution and try miserably to tie that lie to God’s creative work.

I’ve noticed that some of the brethren aren’t convinced Jesus is God. It’s scary to think there are many who call themselves Christians yet can’t seem to grasp the truth of who Jesus really is. Some don’t believe that the Bible is really God’s word. They aren’t convinced that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, that no man comes to the Father but by Him.

Those who dispute God’s truths use phrases like “I think” or “I feel” but then add no Scripture to back up these feelings. We should all be aware that our feelings can be one of the enemy’s strongholds and they are not to be trusted.

Our feelings need to conform to Scripture instead of trying to conform Scripture to us. If we don’t believe God’s word then we are nothing more than heathens totally lost parading around in believers clothing.

Weak believers won’t commit to Jesus’ teachings. They refuse to be placed in with those fundamental followers of Christ who actually take the Bible literally as the true living word of God. Thus through erroneous teachings many become wrapped up in a delusion which proclaims the Bible to have been written by man and it includes outdated, mythological, or even falsehoods that diminish its other context. Other weak believers conclude the Bible to be mostly allegorical and therefore basically useless in today’s culture.

Strongholds appear to be overwhelming as we begin to see more weak believers infiltrating the Body of Christ and infecting the Church with their learned hypocrisy. The Body of Christ can’t afford weak believers. We are coming down to the final hour, folks, and we must remain strong. There are strongholds to defeat, and defeat them we must. Only through a commitment to the truth of God’s word can we regain the ground that was previously ours but has been lost to the charlatans.

God chooses to work in the lives of believers. He uses believers to accomplish his goal. He uses us to spread His word and to help enlighten and attract others to the truth, and to edify one another. We, the Body of Christ, are a light for the lost world. Weak believers shine forth weak light or no light at all. Strong, committed believers shine forth the powerful light of Christ. Which light shines from you?

Complacency and apathy in a believer give the enemy his greatest strength. When believers are no longer motivated to be a team player and to help motivate the flock they become more of a detriment to the fold instead of a deterrent to the enemy’s building of strongholds.

I must reiterate that fervent prayer and a committed regime of Bible study is the key to avoid the formation of strongholds by the enemy. Over and over again this has been my mantra and the theme of most of my commentaries. If, by writing these commentaries, I can convince even a few of the brethren to read and study their Bibles, to receive from God his gift of knowledge and wisdom which translates into discernment, that would be worth all the effort placed in these commentaries.

God’s Word is the power we need to sustain us in these soul trying times. I challenge every believer to study God’s word an hour or more every day or night of the week. If that means you miss the reruns on TV, which you’ve already seen, or you miss the ball game because you were studying your Bible it won’t really affect the outcome of the game because you missed watching it. But, by studying your Bible, you can help the fold where you worship strengthen its stance against the invading enemy.

God will work his plan through every believer who will commit to saying “Yes” to Him. If you are protected by God’s mighty power who can stand against you? Certainly by studying your Bibles and by living through God’s power the strongholds of the enemy can be eliminated. The fold can and will survive.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham

Christian persecution has been going on since the first person declared faith in Jesus. For instance, one day as Peter and John were entering the Temple they saw a man who was crippled and asking for alms. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus, Peter healed this man and then preached about Jesus.

“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12)

Peter’s boldness in testifying about Jesus caused the religious leaders to arrest him and John. There are some people who won’t tolerate Christians proclaiming Christ as Savior. In Peter’s day it was the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes who would not tolerate truth. Today it’s the liberals.

When Christians stand firm on God’s values we get accused of being intolerant. If being intolerant means that we won’t join the world in sin, then so be it. If being intolerant means we want as many people as possible to repent of their sins and turn to Jesus for salvation, then the liberals will just have to tolerate us. There’s the rub. Liberals don’t want to turn from their sin or be tolerant. It was Hillary Clinton who called us “A basket of deplorables.” It seems that liberals enjoy living according to a moral code that has no right or wrong. On the other hand, God is very clear about right and wrong.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

God’s rules won’t change just to pacify people who live to honor Satan. The truth is that Christians have been way too tolerant. Christians have stood by and watched as the United States of America turned from a nation that had some moral ideals to a nation where the likes of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are heroes.

There’s no excuse for Christians to embrace liberal ideals, but over the last few years even Christians seem to think that God should change with the times, that all paths lead to heaven, and that since God forgives sin it’s okay to keep on sinning. The opposite is true. Accepting Christ for salvation should change even the most liberal person into a person who seeks to honor God.

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Even though every Christian has at one time or another embraced ungodly ways, the blood of Christ has washed your sin away. Now it’s time to turn from liberal un-Christian behavior. The liberal agenda includes everything that God calls sin, such as abortion, sexual infidelity, homosexuality, and much more. As Christians we know that there are rules to life, and those rules are established by God Almighty.

Peter and John didn’t back down from their commitment to Christ. When they saw the crippled man they knew that Christ could heal him. They didn’t make a big deal out of it but simply spoke to him with authority through Jesus and he was healed. The man was thrilled!

“And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:8)

He had been lame since birth and now he could leap with joy and he praised God, not Peter or John, for his healing. All of us were once crippled by sin, but since coming to Christ and being forgiven we too should be “… walking, and leaping, and praising God.”

Do we? Probably not. The liberals want to silence us. Like the Pharisees of old they would have us arrested for making Jesus Christ known to a dying population. In America this is getting to be a big problem, but it’s also true in Canada, England, France, Iran, North Korea, and any country you can name.

America came very close to being destroyed by Satan’s liberal agenda. Bill and Hillary Clinton should be tried in a court of law and jailed for crimes they have committed. They will face the ultimate Judge, and He cannot be paid off or bribed to let them slide. Obama’s eight years as president followed a long line of administrations backed by Satan. For those of you who might be too young to remember Bill Clinton’s impeachment, look it up.

You might also look up Monica Lewinsky to learn more of the sick happenings in the Oval Office between Bill and Monica. Hillary Clinton, who was a failure as Secretary of State (remember Benghazi?), would have continued to bring America to ruination, but it was Obama who forced the homosexual agenda upon us and God is very clear about this lifestyle. Very clear:

“If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” (Leviticus 20:13)

The wages of sin (any sin) is death, but Christ died for our sins and we can be forgiven. If you accept the homosexual agenda or live that lifestyle, you can find forgiveness through Jesus. Repent (that means change your mind) and ask Jesus to forgive you. Then change your lifestyle to one that follows God. God doesn’t want anyone to spend eternity in the burning lake of fire, but if a person rejects Him then that’s exactly where they will be forever and ever. They condemn themselves.

Hollywood stars have been acting like spoiled brats because the liberal ways of Hillary were thwarted by Donald Trump being elected. If you want to hear Satan whine, then listen to Meryl Streep, Rosie O’Donnell, Bill Maher, and other liberals who just can’t get over the fact that Hillary and the liberal agenda were defeated in this last election. Open your eyes, Christians, and don’t be duped by lies spewed by people who have no Christian values.

What about George Soros? His support of Hillary for president is well known, but did you know that he was behind the violent riots in places like Ferguson, MO, and the ugliness of that woman’s march during Mr. Trump’s inauguration? Whenever there is trouble to be stirred, George Soros will finance it.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)

Look to God’s Word to judge what is evil and what is good. You will find that liberal thinkers are far from the will of God.

Satanists have no shame in calling on demonic forces to come against Donald Trump and anyone who abets him. The New York Post even carried an article describing how to do this. Where are the Christians? Are prayer warriors on their knees praying for God’s protection? We are in a spiritual battle, so why are we not fighting this battle with spiritual weapons? The Satanists are.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13)

First you need to know who the enemy is. The enemy is Satan and his minions. Then turn to God in prayer and pray for President Trump, pray for the kings of the world. Don’t forget to pray for Christians everywhere who are being persecuted and abused by liberal people who follow Satan. There is a battle raging and Christians need to turn to Jesus for guidance in fighting the war.

Where does that leave us in the liberal vs. Christian battle? No man can save us. There is only one Savior and His name is Jesus Christ and it is He whom we need to look to for salvation.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

He gave His all for us. While we live in this life we have the choice whether to follow Him or not. When Christians prayed during our last presidential election God answered our prayer and Donald Trump was elected. Is he perfect? No, but had Hillary won America would have been destroyed. We need to keep praying. Obama, Hillary, Hollywood, George Soros, and Satanists are coming against him.

That fact should open your eyes to whether or not God allowed Mr. Trump to win. Satan wanted Hillary. Since elected Mr. Trump has faced much opposition from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress and the Satan inspired liberal news media rails against his efforts to make America great again.

Christians need to pray daily for this man who leads our nation. Don’t be swayed by CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, etc. They are voices for liberal lies and the conservative Christians in America are made to look like fools. They call evil good and promote darkness.

America, and indeed the whole world, is in a spiritual battle. Liberals embrace the values, or lack of values, promoted by Satan. Christians embrace, or should embrace, God’s values. As Christians we need to fight for our faith.

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3)

Fight. Fight on your knees. Fight with prayer and fight with boldness in your way of living. Be like Peter and John and demonstrate your faith by action, and when liberals come against you speak boldly in truth and love. Pray earnestly for Donald Trump. Pray for Christians imprisoned for their faith. Pray for the liberals—the lost souls who are damning themselves to hell.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Live your life so there is no doubt that you love Jesus and go around “… walking, and leaping, and praising God”. Tell everyone about what He did for you. He purchased your salvation.

Liberals vs. Christians? It’s a spiritual battle, but boldly stand up for Jesus.

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).