Lesson Outline for Aug 6, 2026
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Goal – Understand how to confront and dismantle ungodly strongholds
- What is an ungodly stronghold?
- What are the dangers of ungodly strongholds?
- Can you identify any ungodly strongholds or patterns in your life?
- How do we think – outward appearances, comparisons to others, image of success, smooth words, manipulation and lording authority, worldly wisdom, power perceptions/struggles?
Hebrew and Greek Terms / Definitions
- arguments #G5053 “logismos” speculations, reasonings from thoughts and imagination
- lofty opinion #G5313 “hypsoma” an elevated structure, rampart or barrier; from root G5312 “hypsoo to exalt, to give honor or dignity
- stronghold #G3657 “ochyroma” a castle, fortress, fastness, anything on which one relies ie arguments and reasonings, to fortify an opinion
- stronghold #H4869 “misgab” – high place, secure height, stronghold, high tower, high fort, a defense, refuge (of God)
How many thoughts a day? There’s much dispute on how many thoughts a day we have ranging from 6.2K[1] [2] – 70K[3]thoughts a day. Regardless, not taking our thoughts captive can be very dangerous, especially if they’re STPs
- Satanic Thinking Patterns (STP) – continuously held belief, thought or attitude contrary to God’s word, truth, instructions, guidance, character and promises – STPs are always ungodly strongholds (AFM definition derived from Invicta Ministries)
The green is the author’s notations in the verses below. Bold text added for emphasis
Exposing lofty opinions then, and now
The enemy uses the same tactics, just different people and tools
2 Cor 11:3-5 ESV – “3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astrayfrom a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.”
- Paul is speaking to Christians in Corinth
- There is opposition by Jewish leaders and Christian false teachers / “traveling preachers” shifting and compromising the gospel – “super-apostles” undermining Paul’s authority
- Corinth believers looked to leaders – factions, cliques and clubs – instead of Jesus Christ and truth
- Corinth believers had all manner of sexual immorality occurring, including temple prostitutes
- Corinth Church abuse – disorderly gatherings, mistreatment of the poor w/in the church, abuse of spiritual giftings
- Lawsuits – believers taking believers to secular court to settle personal disputes
We build ungodly “strongholds” wittingly, or unwittingly
Don’t blame the enemy for what we do…
2 Cor 10:1-6, 11-12 ESV – “1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ–I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!– 2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. … 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”
Psa 139:23-24 ESV – “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
- The only time in the NT “stronghold” is used
- What is a stronghold? And, who is supposed to be our “stronghold”
- What lofty beliefs, attitudes or thoughts do we have which are not aligned to God’s truth, word, will, instruction, commandments and character
- A little Self-Exam – outward appearances (you / others), image of success, comparing to others, lord authority over others, manipulation, intellect, worldly wisdom, need admiration of others – work, friends, relatives…
Danger of ungodly strongholds (USH)
Are meant to keep us from our Godly “Stronghold” Jesus Christ
John 8:31-33 ESV – “31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
John 10:36 ESV – “…, do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?”
Matt 27:54 ESV – “When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
- A son in a loving/appropriate relationship w/ his father knows where his identity comes from – consider the assault on marriage in America
- USHs block and hinder our identity – notice the Pharisee’ and centurions’ response to Jesus
- Jesus Christ knew His identity in His Father God, do you know your ID in the Father
- Walking in God’s truth means confronting ungodly strongholds in your mind – satanic thinking patterns – and not passing them down our bloodline
Ungodly strongholds
Resist / block God and protect sin and unhealed areas of our soul
- Common strongholds (not exhaustive) – unforgiveness, anger, abuse, idolatry, emotional shutdown, intellectualism, vanity, pride, addictions, STPs and more
- USH resist/block God’s truth from our mind/soul & protect / guard sin – we build up
- How HIGH and THICK are your strongholds? Nothing is too high for our Lord Jesus Christ – He reveals to heal and deliver – invite Him to reveal every USH, and let Him demolish it
- The enemy exploits / uses USH to access us, keep us from God’s will in our life
- Discussion on anger – Eph 4:26-27
Tearing down USH
God will tear them down as you confront them – the battle belongs to the Lord
Rom 12:1-3 ESV – “1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
Psa 144:1-2 ESV – “1 Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; 2 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.”
- Humility Required in warrior training, the old self is removed and replaced by the warrior
- Where are you conforming to the world; and we can’t hide USHs from God
- God’s truth confronts USH to tear them down – TRANSFORMING our MINDs
- Taking thoughts captive – FREEDOM is NOT the time between SIN CYCLES
Discussion topics for you this week at home regarding ungodly strongholds and STPS: 1) Identify two ungodly strongholds and ask Jesus Christ to tear them down; 2) What USH have you held onto and why? 3) What do I/we consider success, and does God consider it success? 4) Who do I compare myself to and why?
Last thoughts and considerations
- WE fight with divine weapons – prayer, repentance, praise, worship, humility, repentance, fasting, love, knowing God’s word/truth – not rituals, gossip, intellect, $$, prestige, worldly power, etc
- A major battleground in spiritual warfare is our MIND, let God’s Spirit in – His Spirit of Truth
- STPs promote USH
- USHs are be used to comfort us and manage our sin
- USH can bind us from God’s will / goodness – yes, cultural, tribe, societal, familial, religious, governmental, political and more
- All USH hurt our relationship with God and others
- If we don’t destroy USHs, we will pass USH down our bloodline
Additional verses for self-study
Phil 3:4-7 ESV – “4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”
- Paul understood the challenge of pride. Pride leads to many USH and STPs
- Don’t confuse religion with relationship
1 Cor 1:10-12 ESV “10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.””
- Follow Jesus Christ before anyone or anything else
Heb 4:11-13 ESV – “11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Psa 51:10 ESV – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Pro 4:23 ESV – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
- When you allow Holy Spirit in, He will confront the USH, STP and the enemy in our heart / soul
- Standfast – this is a process. Don’t resist God, our submission is key for God to sanctify our soul and align it with HIM
Matt 26:63 ESV – “But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.””
Matt 27:40 ESV – “…, and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
- You are a son or daughter of Father God – spend time with Him and let Him “clean your heart”
[1] Accessed Aug 3, 2026. https://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/discovery-thought-worms-opens-window-mind
[2] Accessed Aug 3, 2026. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17255-9
[3] Accessed Aug 3, 2026. https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(24)00772-1/fulltext
