taking the strongholds

What if things are actually very different than what we have always supposed them to be?  In the above image, for example, who are the "good" guys?  The more colorful figures coming from the right-hand side of the image, with the "lions" and "crosses" depicted on their shield and banner, leads one to think that those are the "good" guys.  If we allow that to be the case with respect to the above image, then, may we not presume that the opposing army represents the "bad" guys?  And since the "bad" guys appear to be defending the castle, may we not further suppose that the castle belongs to the "bad" guys?

But what if that's not the case at all?

What if the castle does not belong to the bad guys?  How would that change our perception of the meaning and purpose of the battle shown above?  The idea, that an army would risk all to defend a castle which does not belong to them, is an idea not often encountered in real life.  And just for that reason, many Christians may have failed to perceive a most important truth, concerning the inner life of the spirit. 

What if the castle, instead, belongs to the "good" guys, and they are desperately fighting to take possession of their own castle?  (Never mind how it might have happened that the "good" guys came to be on the "outside" of their own castle.)  Then the question becomes, Why would the "bad" guys fight to keep the "good" guys from possessing their own castle?

The most important factor, it seems to me, has to do with the fact that the castle is a fortification, a stronghold and, thus, it represents a place (or a position) of strength, even of domination.  Whoever controls the castle possesses the stronghold of the kingdom; and whoever will rule the "kingdom," must do so from the place of strength (which the castle represents).

Thus may we imagine why the "bad" guys, in the above image, would want to prevent the "good" guys from taking possession of the castle: for, the "good" guys would thereafter be able not only to achieve, but also to maintain, the dominion of the kingdom.
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Now, let's consider that same scenario--albeit, in the context of the inner life of the Christian.  First, let's look at the following Scriptures:

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21)

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12)

To be "born again" means to "born into the kingdom of God".  However, in keeping with the foregoing metaphor involving the battle for the castle, the phrase, "born into the kingdom of God," is NOT equivalent to the phrase, "birthed WITHIN the castle walls".  Probably most Christians mistakenly believe they already have possession and control (mastery) of the "castle" (the spirit), from the moment of their "new birth".  Yet, nothing could be further from the truth of the matter.  When we are "born again," we are called, in the Word of God, "babes" in Christ.  The battle for the mastery of the spirit, is only then begun.

Doubtless, this failure on the part of many Christians, to perceive the need to obtain the mastery over their own spirit, has also blinded them--at least in some measure--from perceiving their need to OVERCOME every enemy stronghold WITHIN -- which is necessary, in order to TAKE POSSESSION of the "castle" (the place of strength and authority) of their own spirit.  In other words:

in order for a Christian to achieve and thereafter maintain dominion over his own spirit, he must confront and overcome every ENEMY WITHIN his own heart and mind.

I urge you to go back and read that last paragraph--as many times as you need to, until you are sure that you understand what I've written.  For, it entails a tremendously important SHIFT of perspective, pertaining to the PRIMARY FOCUS of true spiritual warfare.

Most Christians, I suppose, think that "spiritual warfare" is mostly "external" to their own self.  A few examples, of which, typically involve the following: praying for others to be healed or to be delivered from demonic oppression; praying for Revival; praying for one's own material and/or physical needs; praying and working to build a local church; praying and working to restore righteousness in the culture; and many other like things.  All of which are good causes; and they all do, in fact, entail spiritual warfare.

Yet, none of those things should be the PRIMARY FOCUS of our spiritual warfare.

Any king who is not secure in his castle, cannot be secure in his kingdom.  Importantly, the king's castle by no means encompasses the whole of his kingdom.  But his castle is his personal stronghold; it is necessary to his personal safety and well-being; and it is the place of strength from which his authority proceeds, and by which his authority is upheld.  No king can rule over his own kingdom, who does not rule over his own castle:

"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." (Proverbs 25:28)

The Apostates of modern-day "Christianity" insist that we (Christians) all must accept the belief that we are stuck with some or another kind of sin, until we die.  In this present life, they say, it is not possible to be delivered from the power of sin.  They go even further than that, to encourage the belief that sin--being natural to the human condition--is therefore excusable, in the sight of God.  Clever-sounding slogans have been coined to express the faith of Postmodern "Christianity".  Here are a few such slogans I have actually seen: "I'm not perfect, just forgiven"; and, "Jesus was perfect, so I don't have to be"; and, "No perfect people welcome here" (I have seen that one posted on several church signs).

Of course, all of the above slogans convey the idea that SIN (imperfection) is not merely the NORMAL condition for Christians, but that it is INESCAPABLE.  Tragically, for most professing Christians, I suppose that is in fact the case with them.  But I am certain that none of those persons--if they remain in that condition--shall ever be allowed inside the gates of Heaven.
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What, then, should be the "primary focus" of the Christian's spiritual warfare?  I have already suggested that the "primary focus" is not "external", but it is "internal".  Moreover, it should not be difficult to understand what the "castle" represents, in terms of our spiritual life:

the "castle" represents different kinds of strongholds within our spirit.

The primary focus -- let me say it, again: the primary focus of our spiritual warfare must be to CONQUER every Satanic stronghold within our own self . . .  AND, to raise up and fortify strongholds of godliness, in the place of what were Satanic strongholds in the life.

Imagine, if you will, a big, mean brute of a soldier -- named "Pride", poised at the gate of the "castle" within your own self.  As long as Pride can keep you from possessing the "castle" -- the place of strength within your own spirit, you will remain spiritually weak and vulnerable; you will NOT be capable of ruling, through Christ, the greater "kingdom of God" in your life.  Or it may be an equally wicked spirit named "Lust," which you will have to wrestle and to conquer, in order that you may possess the "castle" -- and, with it, the "kingdom".  Yet another kind of stronghold, for many, is emotions, of various expression, e.g., "Fear," "Anxiety," "Depression," or "Anger," to name but a few.

The kingdom of heaven [of God] suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force," saith the Word of God.  We must deal brutally with every kind of Satanic stronghold, indeed, with every temptation.  We must not suppose that we can walk with God and serve Jesus Christ, and yet allow some unclean spirit to have any place in our spirit.

The "kingdom of God" is the whole realm of God's authority.  In the Christian's life, the kingdom of God consists, first of all, of GOD's RULE over one's own spirit (the "castle").  From that "stronghold" of God's authority over a now-sanctified life, the kingdom of God is then extended, to exercise God's authority over every relationship, and over every circumstance and experience, which touches the life of the believer.  Thus, for the obedient Christian, the kingdom of God grows to encompass the entirety of his or her world.

But the joy, the peace, and the power of that kind of a life -- that is, a life which is subject to the authority of Christ in every aspect, may only be known by the Christian who, first, conquers the strongholds within.

Your prayer life should now take on a whole new dimension (if you have not already come to understand the things herein written).  And if you will take it seriously, it will change your life, for good.  Ask God to reveal to you the areas of your own life, which show any signs of being an enemy stronghold. Be honest with yourself; God already knows--so, you're not going to "disappoint" Him by asking Him to sanctify you.  In fact, there is no better way to please the Lord, than to ask Him, in truth, to make you truly clean in His sight.

"O God, that is my earnest prayer!  And, then, that you may be pleased to use me, for the furtherance of your Kingdom, for Christ's sake."