“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have DIVINE POWER TO DEMOLISH 1STRONGHOLDS.” (2 Corin. 10:4) 1ochurōma: an opposing fortress of error or corruption.
In the devil’s first battle for control over one of God’s children, he challenged Eve with “is that really what God meant?” Eve was explaining to Satan that GOD COMMANDED THEM NOT TO EAT of the tree in the middle of the garden. So, the devil responded with: “God knows that when you eat the fruit of that tree, you will know things you have never known before. You will be able to tell the difference between good and evil. YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD.” (Gen. 3:5)
So, Satan began building up an opposing fortress of error to deceive Eve and it worked: “The woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good to eat. It was also pleasing to look at. And it would make a person wise. So, she took some of the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. And he ate it.” (Gen. 3:6)
Adam and Eve disobeyed God and had this opposing fortress, this stronghold in their spiritual DNA which was passed down to all mankind, which is why the scripture says:
“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) So, how did God give us what we need to defeat our falling short of His glory? “…if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
When we are born again we are forgiven of all our sins, then when we are sanctified we are cleansed from the nature (that Adam and Eve had) to sin and we are given power to live holy lives.
“We know that the persons we used to be were nailed to the cross with Jesus. This was done, so that our sinful bodies would NO LONGER BE THE SLAVES OF SIN.” (Rom. 6:6)
Look at this awesome promise of God for our lives.
“Now, we are given power to live holy lives and become filled with the Holy Spirit of God, which gives us the power to do the work of our Heavenly Father! The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…” (Rom. 8:15-17)
OUR MISSION FROM GOD IS TO LIVE HOLY LIVES!
-Bill Stockham