TEARING DOWN STRONGHOLDS OF BITTERNESS
SOUL: Our minds, wills and emotions vs. spirit (Greek psuche) - Hebrews 4:12
Ground: Jurisdictional are (place in our souls) - Ephesians 4:26 - 32
Stronghold: Mind-set and conclusions contrary to scripture -
II Corinthians 10:4-5 Proverbs 14:12
Tormentors: Afflictions allowed by God to teach us mercy - Matthew 18:34-35
Principality: A ruler of evil over a jurisdictional area
Picture an all white chess board. The boards is your soul and as we sin a square is darkened. In the middle of that board is our stronghold of bitterness. As we lust a square is darkened, or we have doubts a square is darkened, anxiety, fear, bad habits, self rejection, anger, etc.
Until our very souls are covered with ground that we have surrendered to Satan.
Scripture gives us a very clear Steps of Action:
1. Confess the sin of bitterness - Hebrews 12:15; I John 1:9 Bitterness defiles our souls.
2. Ask God to regain surrendered ground - Psalm 23:3
3. Tear down strongolds with truth - II Corinthians 10:4-5 Lost ground can be regained.
4. Show mercy by forgiving your offender - Matthew 6:14-15
Bitterness defiles our souls.
Bitterness weakens our souls. Psalms 106: 15
Lost ground can be regained.
Understand the meaning of mercy. In the parable of the unjust steward, the debtor did not plead for mercy; he simply asked for an extension of time. "...Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." (Matthew 18:26)
The lord delivered him to the tormentors so he could come to the realization that he would never be able to pay back his debt. If he would plea for mercy, the lord would forgive him the entire debt. Then, having experienced mercy, he would be to show mercy to his offenders.
... This has been an excerpt from a Bill Gothard Basic Life Principals Seminar. If you are struggling with sin, if you have given ground to Satan, please do not despair. There is hope. With Jesus Christ we can reclaim this ground.
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