Have you ever thought about the fact that we might be our mountain? I most certainly didn’t until the day I watch a program on TBN – Better Together – and the ‘panel’ posed this question. Are we, our thoughts, our mountains? Could this be at least part of the reason the Word tells us to renew our mind!!!?
Obviously the questions can’t be dismissed out of hand, but … when you think about it, could there be an element of truth in the questions? I think that I might modify the first question slightly… that if our thoughts aren’t our mountains, they can become strongholds. My definition of stronghold may be slightly different from yours. I believe a stronghold is a thought or it can be a belief that is a pillar (of sorts) in our mindset. But, it’s existence is not of the Lord nor what He wants for us. These strongholds are crippling, they are meant to destroy us.
According to one source, a spiritual stronghold is:
“A spiritual stronghold is anything that has power over you. Ideally, it’s Jesus. but throughout our lives, we will all come up against strongholds that are desires of our flesh.”
And another source says:
“A stronghold is only a threat if there are enemy soldiers inside. Indeed, a stronghold can also be a place of comfort, a safe place: For example, in 2 Samuel 22:2-3, David said: The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5, AMP says:
“For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,”
Scripture is our test as to whether it is a stronghold. It tells what OUR weapons are. And as we apply them, it tells us what happens. So primarily, all we need do is to consider whether our stronghold is carnal, is defeating.
A mountain is no more than an obstacle in our way – the height has nothing to do with anything. Mountains, like strongholds are meant to get in our way. We always have the choice to allow this or not. And if we refuse, then most mountains become molehills – easily conquered. And yet, never react to them as if they don’t exist. Denial is never a defense… especially since we have everything we need to defeat whatever is in the way of our being bold, being brave.
We truly have all we need to defeat mountains and strongholds, anything that places itself above who the Lord is and what He does… and how it applies to us. We ARE more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), We CAN do all through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13), and look again at 2 Corinthians 10 – WE pull down those strongholds! What do we need to do to be in this position? Abide in Him (John 15:4), Seek Him and His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33), be saved (Acts 4:12) and you are well on your way of becoming the person you have always meant to be.
