Freedom to Be… (Part 7)

Strongholds
II Corinthians 10:3-6

The Freedom to Be the person God made us to be is greatly hindered by patterns of thought and perception that keep us in bondage.  While many are not plagued by addiction that has stolen their ability to control their behavior, many are deeply affected by patterns of thought and action that lead to a loss of victory and peace in their lives. 

The Reward Pathway and Addiction

·       Pleasure in our brains is a motivator to repeat behavior necessary for our survival such as eating, drinking, procreating and nurturing.

·       The release of dopamine in the brain not only contributes to the experience of pleasure, but also plays a role in learning and memory.

·       A compromised Reward System can turn a desire into a survival drive controlling an individual.

Freedom to Be…Strongholds (Part 7)

The mind is the processor of the content of the brain. The mind can use the brain to perceive itself and to change the brain’s values of that content.

Satan can affect the brain and bring thoughts but the mind can choose what to believe.

More than merely overcoming sins we must fight against the sin nature which drives our thoughts.

Years of the improper reasoning of our minds will not be changed in a single experience or thought.  God must take captive the mind.

The War Within  2 Corinthians 10:3-6

A “stronghold” is an entrenched pattern of thought, ideology, value or behavior.

The destructive strongholds which form in our minds are the lies which have taken the place of God’s truth.

Christian warfare is aimed at pulling down these deceptive rationalizations within each of us that stand against the truth. 
John 8:31b-32

Satan wants to defeat us with perceptions that promote powerlessness and weakness.