Tonight was great- it was good to see so many eager learners there and to get this series up and running. We've put a lot of time and prayer into this series, and hope that this group gets as much out of it as past groups have.
We covered a lot of ground tonight- body, soul and spirit; how evil spirits work; etc. I just want a place for questions or comments from any of you. Did the introduction clear up questions you've always had? Are you feeling confused or overwhelmed? Do you see things differently than we described tonight?
In any case, start talking. Let's hear the chatter!
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ReplyDeleteCan you define stronghold?
ReplyDeleteI view it as:
A stronghold is any argument or pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. Anything that exalts itself in our mind pretending to be bigger or more powerful than God. It steals focus, and causes us to feel overpowered. Controlled / Mastered. It can be an addiction, unforgiveness, despair, something that consumes so much of our emotional and mental energy that abundant life is strangled.....bascially, anything that puts your focus on anything other than God....or you are spending so much focus on it, you lose the focus of God.
I agree that stronghold's are satans schemes to still our focus off God, but not understanding why you are referring to it as a evil spirit.
Unless you are stating that a stronghold is a temptation from an evil spirit that one has given in to and allowed to have power in their lives but can be overcome by the Holy Spirit living in us. I understand that...but not that the stronghold is the evil spirit...its from the evil spirit. Am I on the right track now?
Thanks for the question, Melk (? Melk's?). It's a good one.
ReplyDeleteWhat we understand is that the forces of darkness are involved anywhere there's sin--i.e., anywhere a lie is believed. I used to think that people had little sin pockets in them, but when they got REALLY bad and out of control, THEN the devil stepped in. That's childish thinking, and makes the enemy out to be a patsy. The truth is that he wants to exploit every place of weakness or evil agreement in us. You cannot be involved in sin and not have the enemy pounce on that ground; just can't happen. Where there is darkness, he'll be there (like the Three Amigos. But less helpful).
Jesus said that Satan is the father of lies. That is, no deception or darkness occurs that didn't originate with him. So thinking that we might just 'stumble' into sin traps without his involvement is naive. He is actively prowling, looking for people to devour, according to Peter. He sets traps and, when we walk into them, he is ON THE SCENE to make the most of the situation. It would be tactically irresponsible of him to not be all over any disobedience, ignorance, or stupidity on our part. He lets no opportunity go unexplored.
I think what we refer to as a stronghold is a subject or attitude that's become ingrained in your person (through inheritance or your own choices/behaviors) that's out of step with God. And, again, there is no such thing as a stronghold that doesn't include the devil's involvement and presence. So we could say that fear, as an example, may be a stronghold in someone's life. We also believe that fear is the name of an evil spirit (or many spirits). Fear is a spiritual personality and its goal is to lure and trap you in fear. If you have a stronghold of fear (again: a repeated pattern of thinking or behavior), there IS an evil spirit present, and its name is Fear.
Anyhow, that's how we treat the subject. Thanks for asking, Melk. I'm sure lots of other people were wondering the same thing.
Ditto the above!
ReplyDelete- Dora
It's Annette Melk :)
ReplyDeleteOkay Annette! Sorry for the confusion!
ReplyDeleteOur group met last night and it was great. But it got me to thinking...Who is Peb Smith referenced on the spreadsheet?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Oh yes, who exactly is this Peb? Great question!
ReplyDeletePeb (nickname for Perry) is a man in Texas who first exposed Steven (my husband) and I to these teachings.
We heard about his ministry through mutual friends and then got ahold of his teaching tapes. Steven and I actually each flew to Texas to receive a "ministry time" from him. It was so impactful in my life.
Since that time, we've become close friends with him and he frequents Cincinnati often. He and Steven have travelled together overseas several times.
Peb is who I consider my 'expert' on all things H&D! So, he created that list.
I've considering editing it, but he did a pretty thorough job.
So, that's who this Peb person is. A wise friend to us and someone who we feel watches over our souls!