Breaking Spiritual Strongholds: How to Walk in Freedom

Hello Family,

Have you ever wondered:

• Why do I keep making the same mistakes?

• Why can’t I move forward, up, or out of this situation?

• Why do I feel like a slave to sinful thoughts or habits, even though I want to do what’s right?

  
  

You’re not alone. These questions are more common than you think, and they often point to: spiritual strongholds.

What Is a Spiritual Stronghold?

In the natural world, a stronghold is a fortress, something fortified, guarded, and resistant to outside attacks. Spiritually, it works the same way. A stronghold is a deeply embedded mindset, belief, or habit that the enemy uses to keep you trapped in patterns of sin, fear, and confusion.

But there is hope. We put our Hope in Jesus! He has already defeated the enemy. We simply need step out in faith and walk in the authority already given to those who believe in Jesus.

Strongholds form when we come into agreement with the lies of the enemy.

What Does It Mean to “Come Into Agreement”?

"Coming into agreement" means accepting and internalizing thoughts or beliefs. When we say amen after a prayer, that is a form of agreement. But, sometimes we believe things that do not align with God’s truth. Here are some examples:

• “I’ll always struggle with anxiety.”

• “This is just who I am, I can’t change.”

• “I’m not good enough.”

• “God doesn’t really care about me.”

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Each time you say, think, or believe these things, you're handing legal ground to the enemy, essentially giving him permission to build a stronghold in your mind. These lies take root and form the foundation of behaviors, attitudes, and cycles that feel impossible to break.

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

The enemy loves strongholds because they give him a safe place to influence your life, your thoughts, dreams, relationships, even your self-image. And if left unchallenged, strongholds will separate you from God and others.

What Do Strongholds Do?

Spiritual strongholds:

• Block you from hearing God’s voice

• Numb you from feeling His love

• Cloud your ability to discern His purpose for your life

This is exactly where the enemy wants you, stuck, disconnected, and discouraged.

But here’s the Good News:

You don’t have to stay bound. You can break strongholds in Jesus’ name!

How to Break Spiritual Strongholds

1. Acknowledge and Confess the Sin

The first step to freedom is honesty. Name the stronghold. Identify the lie you’ve believed. Confess it to God and repent, this means turning away from the sin and choosing a new direction, with God’s help.

1 John 1:9 (NIV)“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Don’t skip this step. Strongholds gain power in secrecy and shame. Confession exposes the darkness to God’s light. No one can hold against you what you have confessed. This is true freedom.

2. Believe in Jesus, Fully

Freedom is not just about stopping bad behavior; it’s about putting your full faith in the One who defeated sin and death. Believing in Jesus' death and resurrection means you believe that His power is greater than any stronghold in your life.

John 14:6 (NKJV)“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me..”

Believing in Jesus means aligning your life with His truth, and that alignment is where transformation begins. This does not necessarily mean you need to quit your job. A good place to start is to get to know what Jesus said.

3. Receive the Holy Spirit

Once you confess and believe, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you. He becomes your Helper, Comforter, and Guide in the process of breaking down strongholds.

Here’s the truth: strongholds don’t disappear overnight. They were built over time, and they’re often fortified by years of repetition, pain, or trauma.

But with the Holy Spirit, you can begin to dismantle them, brick by brick, lie by lie, wall by wall.

4. Renew Your Mind Daily

Romans 12:2 (NLT)“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

You fight strongholds by feeding your mind with truth:

• Read the Bible – Let God's Word replace the lies with truth.

• Pray – Prayer invites God's presence into the battle.

• Obey – When the Holy Spirit nudges you away from sin, follow.

• Speak life – Declare God's promises over your life, even when you don’t feel it.

This is called sanctification—the ongoing, daily process of becoming more like Jesus. It's not always fast, but it's always worth it.

Examples of Strongholds

Do any of these sound familiar?

• “I’ll always struggle with this.”

• “I have sinned to much, God can't love me.”

• “I can’t forgive them.”

• “I’m too damaged to be used by God.”

Lies. All of them.

Replace those lies with truth:

“I am a new creation.” (2 Cor. 5:17)

“Nothing can separate me from His love.” (Rom. 8:39)

“I can do all things through Christ.” (Phil. 4:13)

“God has a plan for my life.” (Jer. 29:11)

Final Thoughts: Strongholds Can Be Broken

You are not powerless. You are not stuck. Jesus has already won the battle, you just need to walk in His victory.

Strongholds don’t define you. Christ does.

So start today. Confess the lie. Replace it with truth. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. And watch the walls fall, one by one.