Pulling Down Strong Holds

And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts. ~2 Samuel 8:2

Every major battle that has been won on the battlefield can be attributed to the courage, heroism, resilience, and valor of the men on the field. Even more so, every military force has to attribute its success to the commanding leadership of its kings and generals. This morning, we see in David a type of how our Lord Jesus gives us victory over the spiritual strong holds in life. Let us see the pulling down of strong holds.

A strong hold is a term describing a castle, fortress, and or very well-fortified city. It is two words representing a “hold” that is very strong. The walls and gates are formidable. The military power inside of the gate is well equipped and strong. It is a force to be reckoned with. A stronghold in the life of a Christian is an influence or sin that has a very strong, controlling effect on him. It holds him as a captive and, in some cases, a slave. He feels defeated, overcome, and ineffective in living a victorious life.

“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)” (2 Corinthians 10:4). First, we see an able captain. David was a conquering king. He is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is greater than our spiritual enemies. Second, we see have spiritual weapons that are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Just as David conquered through the use of swords, bows and arrows, and spears, our Lord has made us more than conquerors through His Word, prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit, faith, and courage. David conquered city after city with the same weapons. The Bible tells us that he smote Moab, casting them to the ground. The city was taken apart and no longer a fortress. We are mighty through our Lord.

David took the chariots, shields, gold, silver, brass, and other spoil. He took their people as prisoners of war. When our Lord pulls down strongholds, He brings every thought captive to His obedience. Our Lord Jesus must take complete control over everything pertaining to the stronghold. Spiritual victory over a stronghold requires that we surrender all things to our Lord. We cannot retain anything of self or sin. Unless He is Lord over everything, He is not Lord at all.

David brought the gold and silver, and he dedicated them to the Lord. David knew that the wealth that he took as spoils of war belonged to the Lord. In a similar way, we must die to self and not let our flesh desire credit for a victory that God gives us. We must not let our flesh crave the spoils of victory. God sustains us as conquerors when our thoughts are brought captive to Him and we worship Him without pretense or reservation.

Every conquered nation became captive to David. Strongholds are defeated in our thought life. Every thought must be brought captive to the obedience of Christ. Disobedience is the gateway for a stronghold to conquer us. Obedience is the means by which we are continuously victorious. Let the Lord pull down strongholds that are hindering you. We are mighty through God!

Bible Reading Schedule: Nehemiah 4-6

#2Samuel #Conquering #David #Jesus #Stronghold #Thoughts #Warfare